New Life Hiking Spa at the Inn of the Six Mountains Named a 2012 “Best of New …

New Life Hiking Spa at the Inn of the Six Mountains has been recognized as a 2012 “Editors’ Choice” winner in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, on newsstands now. New Life Hiking Spa was chosen as the 2012 Editor’s Choice for “Best Place to Rejuvenate.” The spa is open each year from mid-May through the end of September and is known as one of the country’s top destination spas.

Killington, VT (PRWEB) May 01, 2012

New Life Hiking Spa at the Inn of the Six Mountains has been recognized as a 2012 “Editors’ Choice” winner in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, on newsstands now. This designation is awarded by Yankee’s editors and contributors, who name select restaurants, lodgings and attractions in New England to the exclusive list. For 36 years, Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England has been the most widely distributed and best-selling guide to the six-state region, providing readers with a comprehensive vacation-planning tool and daily reference.

New Life Hiking Spa was chosen as the 2012 Editor’s Choice for “Best Place to Rejuvenate.” New Life Hiking Spa is open each year from mid-May through the end of September and is known as one of the country’s top destination spas. “This is the 35th summer I have been running New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont and I can’t think of a better word to describe what we do than ‘rejuvenating.’ We are honored to have been selected by Yankee Magazine,” said Jimmy LeSage, M.S., the founder and director.

Guests at New Life Hiking Spa experience rejuvenation with an all-inclusive spa vacation. New Life offers mini-getaways of three to four days, healthy “Jump Start” packages of 5-10 days, and an 11 night or longer Weight Loss Retreat. Prices range from $249-$219 per night and include private room with a private bath at the Inn of the Six Mountains, three nutritious meals per day, healthy snacks, guided hikes along the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail (three levels offered per day), yoga classes, fitness classes, water aerobics in a heated indoor pool, cooking demos, healthy eating lectures, and one massage is included for every three night stay.

Yankee Magazine’s May/June 2012 Travel Guide, on newsstands April 24, features 275 “Best of New England – Editors’ Choice” selections, which include the region’s best dining and lodging venues, attractions, adventures, local secrets, and bargains. This special issue also names 120 top events around New England and shares 15 walks – from strolls on Martha’s Vineyard, an inn-to-inn trek in Vermont, and a cliff walk in Maine. Treat yourself and celebrate the season with a rejuvenating hiking spa vacation, fresh summer recipes and feast at the best 12 lobster shacks in our six state region.

New Life Hiking Spa at the Inn of the Six Mountains will also be recommended on YankeeMagazine.com.

About New Life Hiking Spa:

New Life Hiking Spa is a nationally recognized affordable destination spa for men and women located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont since 1978. New Life offers a variety of all-inclusive vacation packages and is known for its exhilarating hiking program, a world renowned weight loss retreat, delicious healthy meals and a comfortable atmosphere. New Life Hiking Spa offers the chance to experience the peace of the outdoors in a down-to-earth, country inn environment and is open each year from mid-May through September in Killington, Vermont.

Approximately 600 guests come each year from around the globe.

In January of 2010 2011, New Life Hiking Spa was selected as one of the top 10 fitness vacations in the world by MSNBC. New Life Hiking Spa was selected by Shape Magazine as “one of the eight best weight loss spas”, and by Health Magazine as “one of four great weight loss spas.” For Six years in a row (2006-2011) New Life has won Best for Going Solo, Best for Hiking, Best for Weight Loss and Best for Affordability by SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards. In addition, Jimmy LeSage, M.S. was also voted as one of the top ten Spa Managers in the world in 2011 by SpaFinder Reader’s Choice Awards.

New Life Hiking Spa is open for its 35th summer anniversary from May 17 through September 30, 2012 and is currently taking reservations.

More information can be found online at New Life Hiking Spa’s Website: http://www.newlifehikingspa.com or http://www.WeightLossSpa.com.

About Yankee Magazine:

Yankee Magazine was founded in 1935 and is based in Dublin, New Hampshire. It is the only magazine devoted to New England through its coverage of travel, home, food and features. With a paid circulation of more than 350,000 and a total audience of nearly 2 million, it is published by Yankee Publishing Incorporated (YPI), a family-owned and independent magazine publisher. More information about Yankee: New England’s Magazine is available at: http://www.YankeeMagazine.com

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebNew_Life_Hiking_Spa/Best_Place_to_Rejuvenate/prweb9457939.htm

Spahub.com Continues to Expand Website with a New Health Category Section

We have already seen quite a rise in interest in the Health Spa category since its addition to the site..

San Francisco, California (PRWEB) April 30, 2012

In observance of April’s National Health Wellness Month, Spahub.com has added a new health spa category to their site.

“Therapeutic spa treatments, weight loss programs, fitness and stress reduction classes, and a full menu of healthy cuisine are just a few of the benefits of attending a health spa,” says Mark Verkhovski, a rep for Spahub.com. “We’ve made it easy for people to quickly search through the health spa retreats and resorts, read reviews, and find the best health spas.”

Health spas are unique in that they tend to be a destination event. When addressing overall health, the facility must incorporate diet, exercise, natural therapies, as well as customized treatments into the spa experience. This holistic approach has been credited with healthy weight loss results and has been very popular for luxury group getaways.

“We have already seen quite a rise in interest in the Health Spa category since its addition to the site,” says Verkhovski. “Especially since the launch of the new category came right in time for Health Wellness Month, we’ve seen thousands of unique visitors flock to the Health Spa section for resources.”

The purpose of National Health and Wellness Month is to educate the public about health risks and promote healthy living through exercise, lifestyle and diet.

Through Spahub.com, guests can search the extensive database of destination spas and explore and try new health spas in United States and Canada. Spahub.com also provides maps, phone numbers and links corresponding to any of the listed health spas to significantly reduce search time.

About Spahub:

Spahub’s mission is to create the largest Day, Medical, Health and Getaway Spa Directory in the world. They strive to make the site a comprehensive place to learn about the different services spas provide. The goal is to provide every visitor an effective tool to quickly locate and explore a spa’s amenities and treatments before taking one step out the door.

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Ariana Day Spa of Bayonne has new Broadway location – The Jersey Journal

Meet the Merchant

Whether one is trying to relax for a day or just an hour, that relaxation can be found at 811 Broadway, the new location of Ariana Day Spa. The spa, owned by massage therapist Maria Klejmont, provides a getaway for those seeking to rejuvenate, recover or refresh via some pampering. If you’re trying to indulge in a 55-minute massage or a 30-minute Quick Fix Facial, Ariana Day Spa is the place to be.

Klejmont explained that the Ariana Day Spa, which has two massage rooms, two facial rooms, and a waxing room, offers a full range of services including massages, facials body treatments, waxing, threading, manicures, pedicures, aquatherapy, shiatsu, detox treatments, hair coloring, cuts, and styling.

“I tried to create a spa that appeals to everyone, with its earthy tones and serene environment,” Klejmont said.

Klejmont went on to say that massages, which can be ideal for relaxation, often can be used for health improvements, as well. Ariana Day Spa offers a variety of massage choices including its signature massage, a deep tissue sport massage, or a hot stone massage. Its trained professionals make whatever selection an ultimate experience.

“And I want the residents in the City of Bayonne to remember, a spa is not just a place for women to be pampered. Our salon caters to men as well, promising to allow any gentleman to recover from a stressful day,” Klejmont added.

Owner: Maria Klejmont.

How did the owner get her start? Klejmont said she worked as a massage therapist in a chiropractic office for seven years and at European Day Spa in Bayonne for 11 years and decided it was time to pursue her dream of owning a day spa.

How long has the shop been in business? Since 2012.

What makes the shop unique? Klejmont said Ariana Day Spa is “always willing to work with the customer to satisfy their spa experience.”

What will you find inside? Ariana Day Spa has two massage rooms, two facial rooms, and a waxing room.

What are the price points? Klejmont said Ariana Day Spa offers manicures starting at $13, pedicures at $25 and up, $8 and up for waxing, Ariana’s signature massage for 55 minutes is $77, a Quick Fix Facial for 30 minutes is $39. Klejmont explained that customers should “ask about our memberships and how to earn free services.”

What are the owner’s plans for the business? Klejmont said she wants to continue to pamper the customers in the City of Bayonne.

Escape with Pure Bliss, a new full service day spa in NB

Hair stylist Brittany Olson works with a guest at the color bar at Pure Bliss. Photos by Jon Tatting

By Jon Tatting—

A new and unique, full service salon complete with day spa, color bar and metro ambiance has already created a buzz in downtown North Branch.

Nestled among the storefronts on Main Street, Pure Bliss Spa Tan opened on Feb. 22 with a team of hair stylists, nail technician, massage therapist, esthitician and guest hostesses. Also welcoming is the atmosphere, an open concept brought to life through art mixed with comfort, from floor to wall.

So far so good for manager and stylist Deanna Haupert, who grew up and started her career in North Branch.

“I am thrilled with how well we’re doing. We’ve heard nothing but good feedback,” she said of her growing clientele and the community.

Haupert also likes the fact that people no longer have to make the trip to White Bear Lake, Forest Lake or the Cities to find a full service day spa experience.

Pure Bliss guest Terri Berg receives a manicure from master nail technician Judy Hegge.

Pure Bliss, 6420 Main St., offers a variety of services including hair, skin care, massage, tanning, nails, waxing and hair extensions. Guests can choose from a number of professional hair care products — Lanza, Davines and Milk Shake, which are only available in professional salons.

“Our color line is Lanza, and it’s probably the nicest color line I’ve used in my 36 years in the industry,” said Haupert. “It leaves your hair extremely shiny and in better shape than when you came in, which is why they call it ‘Healing Color Care.’ Our guests have loved it.”

The color bar

The center-point of Pure Bliss is the color bar, a unique concept that is very popular in New York, Haupert explained, noting it was added to the design plan to give something new for customers while creating something different from the other good salons in town.

“It (the color bar) keeps everyone feeling involved in the color process,” she continued. “Guests can see their color is art — their selection may involve three or four tubes or formulas of color. People like to see their color is unique and special. It makes guests feel special, too.”

Meet the staff at Pure Bliss. Pictured in the salon’s color bar, in back, from left: Summer Ventimiglia, stylist and esthitician; Anita Olson, assistant manager and stylist; Deanna Haupert, manager and stylist; Brittany Olson, stylist; and Nicole Nyquist, massage therapist. Seated in front: Shannon Detlefsen, guest services; Kelly Sowka, stylist; and Judy Hegge, master nail technician. Not pictured: Linda Palmquist, stylist; Kristy Payzant, skin care; Shandiea Christopherson, stylist; and Ashley Zentner and Natasha Feddick, guest services.

Also at Pure Bliss, guests will find purses, belts and wallets from Kandi’s Kloset for sale. The salon serves coffee and fresh baked mini muffins throughout the day from next door neighbor North Country Coffee. Coming soon is a Plasma TV to further add to the experience.

Haupert credits Pure Bliss owners Martha and Mike Zentner and Angie and Rocky Larson for taking “a leap of faith” in this unique business investment. In fact, she claims she took a similar “leap” in terms of her own career.

“I always hoped North Branch would have an upper end spa business, and if that happened, I wanted to be a part of it,” said Haupert, who started as a stylist at her mother’s salon, Magic Touch, in North Branch before taking her talents to Forest Lake.

Hollywood comes to North Branch

Join Pure Bliss for its grand opening with plenty of daily specials during the week of April 23-27.

The event will conclude in style on Friday night, April 27, when the salon rolls out the red carpet — literally, complete with velvet ropes — for guests looking for the Hollywood treatment in North Branch. The experience includes photo ops, search lights, entertainment and hors d’oeuvres.

Pure Bliss’ storefront on Main Street North Branch.

“We want to give people the royal treatment,” said Haupert.

For more information or appointments, Pure Bliss can be reached at 651-277-0886; e-mail: purebliss.spa.tan@hotmail.com; or on the Web: pureblisstanspa.com.

Store hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Relax with Chic Spa Specials at La Costa Resort & Spa

Looking to escape from the constrictions of everyday life in a peaceful and placid environment? Leave your stress at the door when you enter the Spa at La Costa Resort Spa, the Nation’s #1 best Wellness Spa as rated by Spa Magazine. Designed around California’s pristine coastal lifestyle, La Costa takes its cues from its breathtaking surrounding natural habitat.

Allow the tranquil atmosphere to consume you by spending the entire day indulging  in a variety of treatments, with one of their three renowned Day Spa packages. Try the Inspire Package, starting at $295 per person, which includes a 50 minute La Costa signature massage and a 50 minute botanical facial. The Indulge Package offers two and a half hours of spa and beauty treatments, even including a Simply Sea manicure and pedicure. If in need of some serious relaxation opt for the Invigorate Package which offers three of the Spa’s signature treatments.All Day Spa packages include a light lunch at the Spa Cafe.

Discover serenity through one of these packages, or explore the various amenities offered by La Costa Spa; step across the soft stones of Southern California’s only Reflexology Pathway, escape from the California sun by standing beneath a Waterfall Shower, or enjoy a breezy dip in one of the jacuzzis. Savor tasty libations poolside over looking the Pacific coast or relish in healthy dishes from the Spa Café. Retreat from the world and unwind at the La Costa Spa and Resort located in cool Southern California. Take a day to pamper yourself through the ultimate spa experience.

DayDreams Day Spa Reports Increased Demand for Brandon Massage and Spa …

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DayDreams Day Spa

Customers are growing frustrated with discount massage establishments.

Brandon, FL (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

DayDreams Day Spa reverses current economic trend.

Although government reports seemed to indicate that the economy improved slightly in 2011, many local business owners argue that it was not reflected in their annual sales, especially in harder hit states like Florida. The overall trend seemed to be flat to little growth and for many, a further decline compared to 2010.

However, Florida Day Spa owner Jan Jordan of DayDreams Day Spa recently reported that 2012 is pointing to a significantly higher demand. “We started seeing a noticeable uptick in sales in December of 2011, and that momentum has remained strong through February of 2012.” She indicated that although her customers have shown strong demand in all areas of spa treatments, Brandon Massage services saw the highest.

“I believe it was due to a slow but gradual economic recovery and the fact that customers are growing frustrated with discount massage establishments. When the recession hit in 2009, their investments were plummeting and job security was a major issue. I think most of them felt they had to find a low cost option in order to continue receiving regular massage treatments, which was understandable. A common complaint we heard was that although they appreciated a lower priced option, they just didn’t receive a true spa experience. As the economy is improving, they are able to explore more options.”

She was cautious to claim a full economic recovery pointing out that job growth is stagnant, the unemployment rate is still high and the real estate market is quite weak, all weighing heavy on recovery efforts. She also points out that her online Spa Marketing efforts will be more aggressive than ever in 2012. However if the trend over the last quarter continues, 2012 looks promising.

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Sensual spa packages for Valentine’s day

Share an enchanting evening with your partner by indulging in a relaxing spa experience. Here are some Valentine’s Day salon packages for couples that may help rekindle the romance or keep it going strong.

Dinner and a massage

Splurge on a relaxing couples massage. Packages range from a private sauna or steam-shower session, massage treatments, which can include chocolate lotions and scrubs, and a massage, dinner and candle package.

Details: Hawaiian Experience Spa, 11300 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. 480-661-2991. 1949 W. Ray Road, Chandler. Prices vary. 480-855-0145. hawaiianexperiencespa.com.

Sweet Romance Couples Massage

The spa at the Arizona Biltmore offers a 50- or 80- minute side-by-side couples massage.

Details: Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. $108 for 50 minutes, $156 for 80 minutes. 602-381-7632, arizonabiltmore.com/holidays/valentine.aspx.

Sweetheart of a deal

Agave at the Westin Kierland Resort Spa is offering a couples 50-minute massage from Friday, Feb. 10, to Tuesday, Feb. 14. The package features wine, lunch at Nellie Cashman’s, two signature beverages and a sweet dessert to share.

Details: Agave at the Westin Kierland Resort Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix. 480-624-1202, specials.kierlandresort.com/spa-specials/.

Date-night rendezvous

Dolce Salon Spa is offering two spa packages for couples. The Dolce Date Night three-hour package features side-by-side massages, spa pedicures, dinner and dessert for $345. The Rendezvous for Two two-hour package features the side-by-side massage, dinner and dessert for $225. Offer ends Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Details: Dolce Salon Spa in Chandler, Scottsdale, Peoria. 480-722-0500, dolcesalonspa.com/sweetdeals.html.

Love to pamper?

Invite your special someone to a spa treatment together. Book a couple suite in advance. Indulge in some pampering this V-Day. There are plenty of options to choose from, as spas across the city gear up to celebrate love this season.

The Palm’s Spa, Colaba, offers an idyllic package with the Cherry Blossom and Lotus Escape Ritual. Inspired by the Japanese Bath tradition, this treatment is ideal for your lady love as it is designed to relieve stress and relax the body and mind, while awakening the senses. Owner Karl Irani explains, “A spa date as a couple provides for the ultimate bonding experience as it enables you to destress with that special someone. The Japanese Bath inspired treatment uses a special rice powder cream, Asian scented Shea butter and reflexology inspired plantar modeling massage to create a relaxing five stage getaway. For men, I recommend the Executive Spa Experience that includes a unique mangosteen scrub, a Sothy’s facial and a Deep Tissue Sports massage.”

You could also try the Chocolate Delight Sensuous Strawberry V-Day spa packages at The Lalit’s Rejuve Spa. Manoj Chauhan, Manager, says, “The three-hour packages of Chocolate Delight and Sensuous Strawberry has massage techniques that blend touch and aroma to create sensations of pleasure and wellness to deeply heal your mind and body while soothing your soul.”

There are equally exotic treatments at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre that includes the Rose Strawberry Body Glow, winter’s favourite Exotic Coconut Honey Body Glow, and Dreamy Dips, an exotic massage therapy with sandalwood body scrub. If you wish to be a little more adventurous, head to The Serene Room — The Wellness Spa at the Shalimar Hotel, Kemps Corner, that’s offering a therapy called ‘The Look of love’. It’s a medley of aroma candle wax massage followed by a delectable wine scrub, completed with a chocolate mask. Saucy, eh?

SpaGroups,LLC. Launches a Customizable Spa Travel Deals Site

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From Spa to shining Spa

SpaGroups, LLC has just launched its customizable website, spagroups.com. The company is offering a free membership including a social network for individual spa participants. The idea behind networking is to assist members in finding and joining user created groups and obtain discounts up to 50% on that ‘oh so relaxing’ spa resort vacation.

In this case, it’s all about leveraging group-buying power. SpaGroups is able to offer 50% discounts at premier destination spas and all-inclusive spa resorts based on their leverage. Upon joining SpaGroups (signup is free) members are immediately connected to a social networking community of other individual spa seekers. These are also members searching for group discounts by joining other members’ spa retreats.

SpaGroups has decided to bring in their ‘A game’ and is taking the spa industry to the next level. The company has established a platform that enables any spa seeker the ability to create a customized retreat at the spa including the arrival date of her or his choice. This has never been done before. The beauty is that if other members are interested, they can then join that spa retreat to help meet the spa’s group minimum requirements in order to obtain the group discount.

The Spa lifestyle is not just for the elite

SpaGroups believes that everyone deserves a lifestyle of health and wellness. The common misconception is that the spa lifestyle is for Hollywood or the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Forget that noise. SpaGroups is on a mission to make the “wellness spa experience affordable to the average spa-goer. The rationale behind SpaGroups is to provide members exclusive access to group discounts up to 50% and educates members on the secrets to obtaining spa travel deals through its complimentary Insider’s Guide to Secret Spa Discounts provided to new members.”

SpaGroups is right there to help in coordinating that group trip and assisting any group leader. Their website is designed for simplicity when planning that all-inclusive, spa resort vacation. “SpaGroups facilitates the collection of each group member’s registration and contact information and allows collection of secure credit card deposits”.

Of course group members are welcome to employ social media and spread the word. By accessing Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and email, members may be able to fill those required slots quicker so that spa fun can be had by all. SpaGroups assists the group leaders by promoting user-created retreats to its own list of SpaGroups members. This may help the group meet the spa resort’s minimum requirement to obtain group discounts for all members. Once members join a retreat, they only need to arrive on the designated arrival date to obtain the group discount. By all means check out SpaGroups.com – I found myself relaxing while viewing the photos.

About SpaGroups, LLC:

SpaGroups was envisioned to provide access to immersion experiences at the world’s best spa resorts and retreat centers. SpaGroups is a platform that empowers you to not only join our groups, but inspires you to start and build groups of your own to obtain incredible discounts for yourself and your friends of up to 50%!

To inspire, by connecting our guests with healing spaces and transformative experiences. 

Spa resorts offer their best discounts to groups; our free membership-based website allows individual travelers who are SpaGroups members to join these groups or to start groups of their own.   

SpaGroups allows you to leverage group buying power to build groups through our website and newsletter and, through the use of social media.  

Source: PRWeb

How to Get the Most From Your Spa Experience

I’ve been covering all-things spa since the mid-1990s after a memorable first-time experience at a destination spa. People go to spas for many reasons. And while the experience can be all touch-feely, it can also be life changing, not to mention costly. Getting the most out of your experience is what really counts. Here are some tips for the spa newbie or the spa savvy.

1. Before going to a spa, take the time to do some research; just because your BFF endorses one or two and she swears by them, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re a good fit for you and your needs.

2. Not all spas are created equally. Know the differences and every bit of minutia about what they have to offer. This includes spa etiquette, treatment description, price, tipping, deposit, cancellation policy, etc.

3. When you contact the spa, whether by phone, email or online form, prepare a list of questions you might have and fire away. If you’re not getting a clear-cut answer, ask again until you’re satisfied with the answer.

4. Ask for a tour of the facilities once you arrive, just to make sure it’s up to your level of expectation; you have every right to check out; be suspicious if a spa gives you a bunch of flimsy excuses as to why they can’t accommodate your reasonable request.

5. While most spas are happy to give you a tour, depending on the day of the week (spas are generally at their busiest Thursday through Sunday), the spa may be a bit crowded, or you may not get a chance to see actual treatment rooms due to current guests getting treatments, or guests who are in a relaxation/meditation area; spas want to preserve guest privacy and having a parade of would-be guests can be disruptive and distracting for their relaxing guests.

6. If you’re planning on going to a resort or hotel that has a full-service spa facility, make sure when you call to make your room reservation to be transferred to the spa so you make you treatment reservation at that time. Be sure to ask about any special room plus spa packages, or specially discounted a la carte spa treatments.

7. Nothing is more disappointing than arriving at a hotel or resort and after getting settled into your room, you decide to visit the spa to make an appointment and you’re informed that nothing is available. Wait listing might be an alternative, but not that appealing.

8. Never be timid or shy about admitting that you’ve never been to a spa or have limited experience going to one if the spa asks you about your spa habits. Where treatment options are concerned, make sure to have the spa thoroughly describe what is involved in the that process from the person giving you the treatment and what’s expected of you while on the treatment table.

9. Once on the treatment table and if at any time you feel self-conscious or experience discomfort or pain, immediately speak up and let your technician know. Your technician should stop and take the time to explain to you what they’re doing, or they should adjust their pressure, etc. Your comfort is the most important thing, so don’t suffer in silence and be a martyr. A highly skilled technician should always ask if you’ve ever had the treatment elsewhere; one the treatment begins, they’ll generally ask you several times how you’re doing, or if they’re pressure is too light, too heavy, etc., or if there’s anything they can do for you.

10. Don’t be late to your appointment. Most spas will suggest you arrive at least thirty minutes beforehand. This allows for your being shown to the locker area and amenity area (showers, steam, sauna, whirlpool, etc.). If your treatment doesn’t start when it’s supposed to, don’t be shy about asking for an explanation. If it’s because the spa accommodated another late arrival before your treatment time, you should not be penalized and have your time shortened because of other late arrivals. Don’t hesitate to ask for some type of adjustment for the spa inconveniencing you; this can include a discount, or an add-on to your treatment (extra massage time, eye or lip treatment if getting a facial, paraffin or mask for nail work, etc.).

11. If you’re plus-sized, and your robe doesn’t fit, don’t hesitate asking for a larger sized robe; if the spa doesn’t have one that fits you, you have every right to express your disappointment; you might even want to ask management for a slight discount for the embarrassment you’ve experienced in not having their robing fit you properly.

12. Avoid spas that expect you to pay upfront beyond perhaps a deposit. Avoid spas that expect you to pay an additional non-refundable fee for their own insurance coverage in the event of a guest emergency and having to reschedule without penalty; some spas offer this gimmick to even include their own spa equipment failures. Guests shouldn’t have to insure themselves for the failure of advertised spa equipment.

13. If you ever decide to book a salt glow treatment or any body treatment (including expanded pedicures) that involves exfoliation, do not under any circumstance whatsoever shave anywhere on your body less than 24 (or more) hours before your treatment. Not all spas remember to mention this to guests who book these types of treatments, or they make the presumption that the guest has had the treatment before and knows this caveat.

14. If you’re on medication and you’re not certain about contraindications from some of the spa treatments, products used, or some of the spa amenities (sauna, whirlpool, steam room, etc.) and how it might pose a health risk, check with your medical professional beforehand. Most spas will ask their guest’s to fill out a brief questionnaire that asks about medical issues, medications being taken and even allergies; part of the questionnaire usually includes a waiver and your approval of the treatment. Signs are usually posted throughout the spa facility about health warnings. Same thing applies if you’re allergic to certain things; a well-run spa will also ask you about this.

15. If you’ve scheduled for a massage, besides knowing what is involved with the type you selected, make it known at the time of the reservation that you want either a male or female therapist. Most spas will ask the guest beforehand if they have a gender preference, while others don’t and it’s a surprise.

16. Once you’re on the treatment table, you should be fully draped throughout the entire treatment process without any of your private parts exposed.

17. Some no-nos in spa-dom — no loud talking or laughing, no cell phones or other electronic devices, and no children under 16 or 18 (this has to do with insurance).

18. Lastly, because spa experiences are sensory-driven, no two therapists will have the same touch when they give you the same type of massage, even at the same spa, for example. For facials, results will be different depending on the products used, since each spa tends to use their own preferred brand and private label brand (same for all treatments).

Your spa experience is an investment in self. You should always leave feeling better than when you arrived at the spa. And while problems are the exception, should any arise, approach it with honesty and sincerity. Most spas want satisfied guests and your feedback will be invaluable. Remember, they want you to spread the word, and especially to return.

Lastly, knowing why you want to go to a spa is just as important as finding a spa that will meet your needs and expectations. And while the spa experience is relaxing, pampering and restorative, it can also be life changing.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in issues related to spa, beauty, wellness and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in both consumer and trade publications, including her digital magazine, “Terry’s Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To.” In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker. She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys in Retreat to Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of 10 international experts in various fields of wellness and spa. To find out more about Terry and to read her blog, visit her at Red Room.

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