Local Spa Has Intercontinental Route, Roots

How does one arrive in Cleveland from Beverly Hills? Good question. Some might call it the "intercontinental scenic route," especially when considering the path that Monique Marengo has traveled over the years. The president of Marengo Luxury Spa in the Old Arcade in Downtown Cleveland, she manages a peerless personal services organization with an expert touch and international flair she’s culled from all those stops along the way.

To call Marengo a passionate and driven expert in luxurious pampering is an understatement: she is a recognized authority in the fields of spa luxury, beauty, esthetics, style and fashion. A native of Beverly Hills, she has had that spirit within her (and in her family) from early on. Marengo even spent a significant portion of her formative years interning with the family business, the Marengo Institute, which set the tone for her career path and future leading the Marengo Luxury Spa.

"My family started spas in California in the 1960s," Marengo recalled in a recent interview. "I would say I spent most of my life in them, right up until the time I've had one of my own to operate. Working for the family spas, and engaging the culture of experts that have surrounded me for my entire career, I was able to take everything that I learned and provide services in a luxurious atmosphere that is unique for Cleveland."

Marengo grew up surrounded by beauty, well being, fashion and what some might even call elegant design. Her mother Cherie was an actress and model who met spa entrepreneur Jojo Marengo when she was a client at one of his six West Coast spas. After marrying, they pursued the business together as a family; when Monique arrived, she was immersed in the environment from the word go. In no time, she found "a similar passion for the business my parents chose" as their profession.

With an eye for beauty and fine arts, Marengo majored in graphic design for commercial business, eventually earning a degree in art. At 22, she launched a successful international trade publication, Hair & Fashion Magazine, focused on the beauty industry. Later, her father organized an association specifically for beauty and fashion artists –, the Art & Fashion Group – Monique became its Executive Director. She became the youngest person and first female to direct an international beauty organization.

For eight years, she constructed educational and promotional programs and conferences in 35 countries for members representing some of the biggest names in the fashion and style, including Vidal Sassoon, John Sahag, Isaac Mizrahi and Donna Karan. The idea was to bring together the brightest minds in the beauty and fashion business; Monique led these high profile leaders with the Art & Fashion Group, overseeing knowledge sharing activities in some 35 countries.

"The idea was Jojo's, to forge an association of artists from around the world who would meet to exchange ideas and to educate each other in a noncompetitive format," Marengo said. "It's the kind of thing that just wouldn't happen today; these events [were not] sponsored by products, companies or manufacturers like they would be today. It was an arrangement that created a welcoming environment for pure, unadulterated education and artistry.

"It was a great situation, and the caliber of people who got together to do these incredible stage shows and educational events, was the exception and not the rule," Marengo added. "Some of the people involved didn't even have their own products or companies going at the time. Right now, with the way the industry is, you couldn't do what the Art & Fashion Group did without having your own products and sponsorship. It was very cutting edge and done purely for the joy of the profession. It was incredible and inspiring. I had a lot of very good teachers!"

Marengo has internalized all of that inspiration and channeled it into her Marengo Luxury Spa, with the goal of suspending time, concern and the pressure of day-to-day responsibilities for her guests. "When our guests come to the spa, we really want them to forget about everything and want them to indulge in feeling pampered," she said. That's the primary goal for Marengo and her expert staff.

At the Marengo Luxury Spa, you can “indulge your senses” with a menu of services ranging from body treatments, facials and skin care treatments, to manicures and pedicures, haircuts, color-and-styles, massotherapy and esthetics. Hot stone massages are also a big favorite. The idea is not merely to raise a patron’s spirits and replenish their soul, but to “pamper our customers in a sanctuary that exceeds their every expectation,” said Marengo, who added that infusing beauty, rejuvenation, comfort and indulgence is a huge relief for stressed-out, downtown employees.

"At a location like this, we have people who come on their lunch breaks and after work," she agreed. "We have a lot of people from downtown business locations [and W]e have a lot of patrons come in from the suburbs for a full day or partial day of treatments, with dining and entertainment comprising the rest of their downtown experience."

National and international guests from the adjacent hotel here on business or pleasure round out the clientele . It was very important for us to create an environment that would appeal to all these kinds of people.”

Marengo also mentioned a recent influx of wedding parties – both at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade and elsewhere in the city – as being a focus over the past couple years. "With the Hyatt and Arcade serving as a location for a lot weddings, our phenomenal staff of hair artists here at the spa do a great deal for wedding parties as well. Weddings can be stressful, and we like to provide an escape from that pressure."

"I love to be pampered and spoiled, as most people do," added Marengo, one of the Luxury Spa's self-professed best customers. "We like to keep things here intimate and unhurried, helping our customers find that ultimate retreat they need. I always find time to have services myself, because I think the relaxation and revitalization is essential to keeping yourself healthy. And for people who haven’t been here, the added bonus of being in the beautiful Arcade... we feel that the spa is a gem in the middle of downtown, and close to everything, which adds to the retreat feeling."

To Marengo, the Luxury Spa is as much an art form as it is a matter of craft - one that she tests regularly herself to insure the highest quality. "Whether it's an herbal wrap and aromatherapy, or one of our signature massages, I'm a firm believer in spa services. And I am such a firm believer because I experience the treatments we offer first hand.

"We want to treat everyone to a unique and wonderful experience – that's really what we aspire to here. We've tried to create the most luxurious environment, combined with the most knowledgeable staff in order to pamper our guests with head-to-toe relaxation and physical enhancement."

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

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