Our Experts' Top 10 Spa Tips

Visiting a luxury spa is a marvelous opportunity. To help you make the most of your experience we would like to share a few tips that can transform your spa experience from good to great. Rather than leave you to figure out the secrets the hard way, our experts have put together a Top 10 list of spa tips that will truly help you get the most Ahhhh out of your Spa visit.

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early. A spa experience is designed to be stress-reducing; it’s no good to sprint through the spa doors minutes before your appointment. You’ll be frazzled when you go in for your treatment and will, therefore, miss half the benefit. Arriving early allows you to slowly unwind, changing at a leisurely pace before relaxing in one of the amenity rooms.
• Avoid liquids directly before your spa treatment. Nothing spoils the enjoyment of a luxurious massage faster than nature “calling” only minutes into your treatment. You will likely be too embarrassed to tell your therapist and will endure the remaining hour of the massage in total discomfort. Sound relaxing? We thought not. Save yourself the silent torture and avoid liquids directly before your treatment, and remember to use the restroom.
• Hydrate AFTER your spa treatment. After a massage, drink away. Consuming plenty of water or tea with lemon flushes out the toxins that may have been released in your body during your treatment. In addition, hydration can reduce muscle soreness.
• Speak up, you are the Client. Never hesitate to communicate your preferences during a spa treatment. Spas want to deliver an excellent experience and can easily modify aspects to match your preference. Are the lights too bright? The music too loud? The room too cold? Perhaps you prefer to enjoy your treatment in silence rather than talking with your therapist. All of the above can easily be altered if you speak up. It is especially important to let your massage therapist know if the pressure level is too strong or too weak. If you feel that any part of your spa experience is substandard, first tell the therapist. If their response is inadequate, calmly ask to speak to the spa manager or owner.
• Know When to Shave. Women often think they should shave right before a massage so they are completely stubble-free. Unfortunately, this can leave the skin extremely sensitive and can actually cause a stinging sensation during a massage. Instead, women should shave the night before. Men should shave their face at least 2 to 4 hours before a facial.
• Schedule treatments in correct order. Body, feet, face, then hands: this is the sequence in which you should book treatments if you are scheduling more than one. If you’ve just received a lovely pedicure and a specialized facial with vitamin c serums, the last thing you need is a full body massage that unknowingly messes up your pedicure and removes your facial serums. When treatments are completed in the proper order they build on one another, enhancing all the benefits.
• Steam Room + Manicure = Fail. If you receive a manicure or pedicure at a spa, do not use the steam room afterwards or it will wreck your beautiful polish application.
• Book during slow times. Mondays through Wednesdays before noon are often the slowest business hours for spas. By booking treatments during these times you will not only receive more attention from the un-frazzled staff, but you may also receive cheaper treatments. Some day spas, resort spas and salons offer special discounts on services on these slow days to generate more business.
• Familiarize yourself with the Treatment You’ve Booked. Think you like surprises? Booking a unique treatment without researching what’s entailed may cause you to reconsider. With so many specialized treatments available now, it simply isn’t safe to assume each massage is like the one before. For example, if a massage is listed as incorporating Thai Massage elements, research what that means. Before you know it, your therapist will have you on the ground with your knees to your nose and you’ll be left wondering if you mistook the martial arts studio for the spa. Ignorance can be anything but blissful when it comes to new treatments. Familiarize yourself with treatments before booking them and you will easily enjoy them more.
• Be willing to try something new! There are some incredibly unique spa experiences out there, just waiting to be tried. If you find yourself in a spa rut, dare to be adventurous. Go beyond the basic facial and massage and try something new for the first time. Ever tried a reflexology or a craniosacral treatment? How about Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques? Chocolate spas? Beer bath soaks? With a fun attitude and a little curiosity, a whole new world of spa adventures could be yours.