It is a new year and you made a resolution to teat yourself to a spa getaway. You want a beautiful place that offers outstanding Spa services. That leads us to a simple but a very important question. How do I choose a Spa resort that is right for me? Well, we found some useful guidelines that you can use when making that important decision on where to stay.
The classic spa resorts are big and offer overnight accommodations and lots of activities -- golf, swimming, tennis, kids' activities, fine dining, and sometimes horseback riding and skiing.
The spa (called spa resorts by insiders) is just another amenity for guests, and often it's quite large and lavish, with 40,000 square feet and 30 treatment rooms. It provides a relaxing, pampering experience for people staying at the resort and often locals who want to enjoy a day at the spa.
But it's important to do your research before you book a spa resort. Some places that call themselves spa resorts are small privately owned inns with a few treatment rooms and one treadmill to their name.
This is fine if it's what you want, but you don't want to expect something lavish and then find out the hotel's "spa" is a hot tub, or one treatment room off the gym. (This happened to me in the days before I knew better.)
Knowing What Your "Spa Resort" Really Offers
To make things even more complicated, many destination spas and health spas which are about healthy eating, exercise, and personal transformation, and now calling themselves "spa resorts".
This is because of the way people search on the internet. "Spa resort" is searched much more often than destination spa or health spa, and spas don't want to miss out on potential business. So it's very important to think about what you want to get out of your spa experience, understand the different types of spas, and then make sure what you want matches up with what that spa offers.
What You Need To Know About Spa Resorts
- At classic spa resorts, you generally pay for your spa treatments a la carte instead of having them as part of the total package.
- You may have to pay an entry fee to the spa facilities if you aren't getting a spa treatment.
- While lots of exercise classes are a hallmark of destination spas, spa resorts may not offer them at all. If they do, the selection is more limited, and you may have to pay to participate.
- There IS a trend for more spa resorts to offer complimentary exercise classes with spa treatments or day passes, including Golden Door Spa at The Boulders and The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. If exercise classes are important, be sure to ask about their program.
- Spa resorts typically don't include meals in their rates. You can eat and drink whatever you want to because the emphasis is not on health. Spa resorts generally offer some healthy dining selections, but most people indulge in the rich food and wine that signals "I'm on vacation."
- Large spa resorts will have a wide range of activities and amenities and are great for families. Dad can golf, mom relaxes at the spa, and the children head to the kids' camp or teen scene.
- Not all spa resorts are alike. Don't be fooled by someone saying, "Yes, we have a spa." Make sure you know what you're getting into in terms of size, amenities, and activities before you book a spa resort. If you have some must-haves -- a challenging golf course, a world-class spa, an all-day kid's camp, lots of exercise and outdoor activities -- make sure you get the details before you book.
- If you want to get healthy, lose weight, exercise all day, get inspired, go on a personal retreat, or connect with like-minded adults, a destination spa or health spa is the better choice. They also tend to have the most passionate, talented therapists. (Just remember they might be calling themselves a spa resort!)
Well, this should definitely assist you on knowing what spa to visit. Be sure to use the links that are provided in this article for reference purposes. A thank you goes to about.com for their invaluable information concerning this topic. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.
Thanks for Visiting!
Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team
