What is a Mineral Springs Spa?
A mineral springs spa has a source of natural mineral water that you can soak in. Mineral springs have been valued for thousands of years for their power to ease joint pain, arthritis, and other physical ailments.
Mineral springs may come out of the earth at a tepid temperature and then be heated for bathing. If there is a lot of geo-thermal activity, the mineral water is literally heated by the earth and is called a hot springs. Sometimes the water is so hot it has to be cooled.
Mineral springs have naturally occurring minerals and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, sulphur, iodine, and bromine. The exact makeup of the water vares from spring to spring, and many spas post the exact chemical make-up. Different waters are considered beneficial for different ailments.
Mineral springs spas vary greatly in the degree of luxury and amenities they offer.Some are historic bathhouses where you go to soak for 20 or 30 minutes in a private room that may be very simple. Usually you can get a massage. There might be communal outdoor pools. But some of the world's most lavish hotels and resorts were built on the site of mineral springs.
Some of the world's great spa cities rose up because of mineral springs, include Baden-Baden in Germany, Spa in Belgium and Bath in England. The U.S. has its share of historic spa cities that sprang up in the 18th and 19th centuries, including Berkeley Springs, Virginia, Calistoga, California and Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In the 18th and 19th centuries drink the mineral waters was an important part of the cure. This was a time when the wealthy classes went to spas to mingle, and the sipping pavillon provided the perfect opportunity. Today most people prefer a good soak to drinking the pungent, odd-tasting waters.
Choosing A Day Spa
When choosing a day spa, there's a lot to be said for convenience. Find the day spas in your area, and go pick up a menu of services to see what it offers and its prices. While you're there, ask for a tour. You should be able to look at the changing rooms, though treatment rooms might be off limits.
Observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you'll have a good spa experience. Look in the changing rooms to make sure the spa has safe, sanitary conditions.. Hair in the drain? That's a no-no.
Another factor in choosing a day spa is size and atmosphere. Day spas can be as homey as a bed and breakfast or a multi-million dollar facility. See if the spa’s style (and prices) suits you.
Look at the menu of services.
Day-spas tend to offer as many services as possible, sometimes small day spas overreach. If you're interested in specialities like Ayurveda or Thai Massage, ask what kind of training the therapists have had. (Preferably more than a weekend seminar.)
If the facility is a medical spa, is it run by a physician? Is there always a physician or registered nurse at the facility? Ask what type of training the technicians have been given to do advanced procedures like laser hair removal or chemical facial peels.
The most important component is the quality of the personnel. A good massage therapist or aesthetician should be able to put you at ease from the start. Some people are more gifted and committed than others. I can feel the difference between the people who are going through the motions and the people who love what they do, and I rebook with the people who do the best work.
Questions To Ask When Choosing A Day Spa
* How long have you been in business?
* Are you licensed by the state? Are all the therapists and technicians licensed?
* What are the benefits of the treatments?
* Are any contraindications to the treatments you are interested in?
* Look over the spa’s intake form. Is it comprehensive?
The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses these questions in its spa licensing program. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.
How To Choose A Destination Spa
At destination spas, the whole environment is geared towards fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and renewal. But destination spas come in a wide range of prices and personalities.
Canyon Ranch Lenox is a sprawling resort with fabulous facilities and more programs and classes than you could possibly attend. The Cal-A-Vie in Vista, California, is a small luxurious inn. The New Age Health Spa in upstate New York is rustic and modest but has a gorgeous yoga studio.
It's important think about what you're looking for in terms of facilities, price, amenities, and special programming.
Questions To Think About When You're Choosing A Destination Spa
-Do you have a special interest or goal like losing weight, detoxing, or revving up your fitness routine? Do you want to go on yoga retreat, learn how to meditate, spend lots of time hiking, or just hang out with a friend and get some relaxing spa treatments? Thinking about what you want will help you narrow down the right spa for you.
-Do you want a restricted calorie environment or all you can eat? Do you want alcoholic beverages or caffeine? Not every destination spa serves them.Find out their policy before you go.
-Do you have a medical issue you want to address? Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. or Tucson are unparalled in terms of their medical programs.
-Do you want an outdoors experience, with hiking and rock climbing? Try The Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah.
-How important is the educational aspect? Find out how many lectures they have and what the qualifications of the speaker are.
-Do you want an intimate atmosphere where it's easy to meet people or is a larger setting acceptable?
Do you want to be in town or in the country? Photos can be deceiving. Find out exactly where the facility is located.
-How long do you want to stay? The minimum stay can range from two nights to a week.
-How important is a luxurious room? Some destination spas have basic rooms, on the theory that no one is going to be hanging out there much.
-How important is a luxurious spa facility? Less expensive spas might be somewhat basic. Remember to find out if spa treatments like massage, facials and body treatments are included in the package. You might also want more treatments than the package allows for.
Resources to Help You Choose A Destination Spa
Here are my picks for the best destination spas and the best affordable destination spas. To make the most of your spa vacation, read these spa travel tips.
The Destination Spa Group, made up of more than twenty spas, has three resources to help you choose the right spa for you.
* Call 888-772-4363, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, and discuss what you’re looking for in terms of price, atmosphere and part of the country.
“Destination Spa Vacations” is a glossy travel guide to each of its 25 member Destination Spas for $5.95.
The group also has a website, www.destinationspas.com with photographs, rates, general information, direct links and telephone numbers for all member spas.
What To Look For In a Good Spa Experience
How can you tell if you’re going to get a good spa experience? One way is to observe how customers are treated when you take a tour of the spa. Look around to make sure all employees are treating their clients with respect.
*Here are some other things to look out for:
*The therapist should be professional, courteous, pleasant and cleanly dressed.
*The treatment should start on time.
*Therapists should follow your lead in terms of how much talk occurs during the session. They should not discuss their personal problems with you. good but less expensive substitutes. Ask which products are the highest priority.
*Massage therapists should be sensitive to the kind of touch you want in terms of pressure. There should never be a sexual quality to their touch.
*You should not be left alone during body wraps, facial steaming, or hydrotherapy baths. Some spas do this, but the best practice is for the therapist to be with the client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.
*Estheticians should ask about your home skin-care routine, but should not make you feel pressured to buy products.
You should feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment. And before you book a treatment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa is clean, pleasant and follows good sanitation.
Spa Safety and Sanitation
How can you tell if a spa provides a safe, sanitary environment? One of the best ways to take a tour. (Just ask politely.) Keep your eyes open for “red flags” that indicate unsanitary conditions in the spa.
* Look at drains in wetrooms and showers. They should be clean and free of hair.
* Look to see how implements are cleaned between uses.
* Look at wet rooms and body treatment rooms. If a facility is not scrupulous in cleaning, these rooms that will show it.
* Make sure all wraps being used are disposable or completely sanitized after each use.
* Ask if pedicure equipment and hydrotherapy tubs are self-sanitizing or find out how they are sanitized.
* Look for double dipping – a real no-no. This means that the technician uses an implement to take product out of a container, puts it on the client, then sticks it back in the container.This contaminates the product.
* Make sure hand and foot bowls are being cleaned between uses.
* Make sure wax pots are clean and watch for double-dipping. A new spatula should be used each time more wax is taken out of the pot.
In evaluating a spa, feel free to ask the right questions before you book an appointment. And it’s also important to observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you will have a good spa experience.
These are among the guidelines The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses to license spas. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.
Buying A Spa Gift Certificate
Spa gift certificates are a great gift idea for many of the biggest holidays. Almost everyone loves to be treated to a luxurious day at the spa. But there are a few things you should know before you buy a spa gift certificate so you don't get burned.
Where can I buy a spa gift certificate?
The easiest solution is to buy SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) , which can be redeemed at more than 3,500 spas worldwide. SpaFinder gift certificates are transferable and have no expiration date when purchased online.
It's a good last-minute option becuase they let you print out a gift card, and the actual gift certificate arrives a few days later.You can also send an email to announce the spa gift certificate is coming.
If there is one particular spa you want to send your wife, mom or sweetheart to, you can buy as gift certificate directly from the spa. This way you can choose a specific treatment or package instead of a dollar amount.
How much should I give?
The minimum is usually $50 but most people give $100-$150 to make sure the recipient gets one substantial like a massage or facial.
What should I look out for?
Most individuals spas have a one-year expiration date on their spa gift certificates. If an individual spa goes out of business, you're out of luck. Also, just because a spa is listed on SpaFinder's website doesn't mean it accepts the gift certificates. Look at the listing very carefully if there is one spa you have your heart set on.
Should I include a tip on the spa gift certificate?
It's a nice gesture and easy to do when you're buying from an individual spa. Some spas won't allow SpaFinder gift certificates to be put towards a tip. You can always enclosing an extra 15-20% in cash and indicate it is for tips.
What spa treatments can you get with a spa gift certificate?
Prices vary depending on the spa, but this is typical:
-$50 - $75: spa manicure, spa pedicure or waxing.
-$75-$125: massage, facial or body treatment.
-$125 - $150: Specialty massage like a hot stone massage.
-$150-$250 -- Two services at most spas.
-$250 and up -- Half and full-day packages
What if she doesn't use the whole amount on spa treatments?
She will get a store credit she can spend on products ranging from nail polish and candles to expensive robes and jewelry. If it's substantial she can come back another time.
Can he get a cash refund?
Spas won't give refunds on gift certificates.
What if I want to buy an expensive overnight stay at the spa as a gift? Can I do that?
Many destination spas and resort spas, including Red Mountain Spa in Utah and Miraval in Arizona, accept SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) . You can buy a substantial dollar amount and let the person pick which spa they want to go to. If you have a particular spa and length of stay in mind, call that spa and ask how much it would cost.
Be sure and check for limitations. Canyon Ranch Lenox in Massachusetts only lets you use up to $500 of SpaFinder gift certificates towards a stay.
You can also buy the gift certificate directly -- and may have to if you want a particular spa that doesn't participate in SpaFinder like Lake Austin Spa Resort.
What happens if they don't use up the entire amount?
Again, the person will get the unused amount as a credit. For maximum flexibility on a large gift, break the amount into several large gift certificates -- four $500 gift certificates instead of one $2,000, for instance.
What if it gets lost?
If SpaFinder gift certificates are lost, it's like losing cash. This is a fairly common policy at spas, but you can check with an individual spa to see if they have a different policy.
A mineral springs spa has a source of natural mineral water that you can soak in. Mineral springs have been valued for thousands of years for their power to ease joint pain, arthritis, and other physical ailments.
Mineral springs may come out of the earth at a tepid temperature and then be heated for bathing. If there is a lot of geo-thermal activity, the mineral water is literally heated by the earth and is called a hot springs. Sometimes the water is so hot it has to be cooled.
Mineral springs have naturally occurring minerals and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, sulphur, iodine, and bromine. The exact makeup of the water vares from spring to spring, and many spas post the exact chemical make-up. Different waters are considered beneficial for different ailments.
Mineral springs spas vary greatly in the degree of luxury and amenities they offer.Some are historic bathhouses where you go to soak for 20 or 30 minutes in a private room that may be very simple. Usually you can get a massage. There might be communal outdoor pools. But some of the world's most lavish hotels and resorts were built on the site of mineral springs.
Some of the world's great spa cities rose up because of mineral springs, include Baden-Baden in Germany, Spa in Belgium and Bath in England. The U.S. has its share of historic spa cities that sprang up in the 18th and 19th centuries, including Berkeley Springs, Virginia, Calistoga, California and Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In the 18th and 19th centuries drink the mineral waters was an important part of the cure. This was a time when the wealthy classes went to spas to mingle, and the sipping pavillon provided the perfect opportunity. Today most people prefer a good soak to drinking the pungent, odd-tasting waters.
Choosing A Day Spa
When choosing a day spa, there's a lot to be said for convenience. Find the day spas in your area, and go pick up a menu of services to see what it offers and its prices. While you're there, ask for a tour. You should be able to look at the changing rooms, though treatment rooms might be off limits.
Observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you'll have a good spa experience. Look in the changing rooms to make sure the spa has safe, sanitary conditions.. Hair in the drain? That's a no-no.
Another factor in choosing a day spa is size and atmosphere. Day spas can be as homey as a bed and breakfast or a multi-million dollar facility. See if the spa’s style (and prices) suits you.
Look at the menu of services.
Day-spas tend to offer as many services as possible, sometimes small day spas overreach. If you're interested in specialities like Ayurveda or Thai Massage, ask what kind of training the therapists have had. (Preferably more than a weekend seminar.)
If the facility is a medical spa, is it run by a physician? Is there always a physician or registered nurse at the facility? Ask what type of training the technicians have been given to do advanced procedures like laser hair removal or chemical facial peels.
The most important component is the quality of the personnel. A good massage therapist or aesthetician should be able to put you at ease from the start. Some people are more gifted and committed than others. I can feel the difference between the people who are going through the motions and the people who love what they do, and I rebook with the people who do the best work.
Questions To Ask When Choosing A Day Spa
* How long have you been in business?
* Are you licensed by the state? Are all the therapists and technicians licensed?
* What are the benefits of the treatments?
* Are any contraindications to the treatments you are interested in?
* Look over the spa’s intake form. Is it comprehensive?
The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses these questions in its spa licensing program. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.
How To Choose A Destination Spa
At destination spas, the whole environment is geared towards fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and renewal. But destination spas come in a wide range of prices and personalities.
Canyon Ranch Lenox is a sprawling resort with fabulous facilities and more programs and classes than you could possibly attend. The Cal-A-Vie in Vista, California, is a small luxurious inn. The New Age Health Spa in upstate New York is rustic and modest but has a gorgeous yoga studio.
It's important think about what you're looking for in terms of facilities, price, amenities, and special programming.
Questions To Think About When You're Choosing A Destination Spa
-Do you have a special interest or goal like losing weight, detoxing, or revving up your fitness routine? Do you want to go on yoga retreat, learn how to meditate, spend lots of time hiking, or just hang out with a friend and get some relaxing spa treatments? Thinking about what you want will help you narrow down the right spa for you.
-Do you want a restricted calorie environment or all you can eat? Do you want alcoholic beverages or caffeine? Not every destination spa serves them.Find out their policy before you go.
-Do you have a medical issue you want to address? Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. or Tucson are unparalled in terms of their medical programs.
-Do you want an outdoors experience, with hiking and rock climbing? Try The Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah.
-How important is the educational aspect? Find out how many lectures they have and what the qualifications of the speaker are.
-Do you want an intimate atmosphere where it's easy to meet people or is a larger setting acceptable?
Do you want to be in town or in the country? Photos can be deceiving. Find out exactly where the facility is located.
-How long do you want to stay? The minimum stay can range from two nights to a week.
-How important is a luxurious room? Some destination spas have basic rooms, on the theory that no one is going to be hanging out there much.
-How important is a luxurious spa facility? Less expensive spas might be somewhat basic. Remember to find out if spa treatments like massage, facials and body treatments are included in the package. You might also want more treatments than the package allows for.
Resources to Help You Choose A Destination Spa
Here are my picks for the best destination spas and the best affordable destination spas. To make the most of your spa vacation, read these spa travel tips.
The Destination Spa Group, made up of more than twenty spas, has three resources to help you choose the right spa for you.
* Call 888-772-4363, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, and discuss what you’re looking for in terms of price, atmosphere and part of the country.
“Destination Spa Vacations” is a glossy travel guide to each of its 25 member Destination Spas for $5.95.
The group also has a website, www.destinationspas.com with photographs, rates, general information, direct links and telephone numbers for all member spas.
What To Look For In a Good Spa Experience
How can you tell if you’re going to get a good spa experience? One way is to observe how customers are treated when you take a tour of the spa. Look around to make sure all employees are treating their clients with respect.
*Here are some other things to look out for:
*The therapist should be professional, courteous, pleasant and cleanly dressed.
*The treatment should start on time.
*Therapists should follow your lead in terms of how much talk occurs during the session. They should not discuss their personal problems with you. good but less expensive substitutes. Ask which products are the highest priority.
*Massage therapists should be sensitive to the kind of touch you want in terms of pressure. There should never be a sexual quality to their touch.
*You should not be left alone during body wraps, facial steaming, or hydrotherapy baths. Some spas do this, but the best practice is for the therapist to be with the client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.
*Estheticians should ask about your home skin-care routine, but should not make you feel pressured to buy products.
You should feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment. And before you book a treatment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa is clean, pleasant and follows good sanitation.
Spa Safety and Sanitation
How can you tell if a spa provides a safe, sanitary environment? One of the best ways to take a tour. (Just ask politely.) Keep your eyes open for “red flags” that indicate unsanitary conditions in the spa.
* Look at drains in wetrooms and showers. They should be clean and free of hair.
* Look to see how implements are cleaned between uses.
* Look at wet rooms and body treatment rooms. If a facility is not scrupulous in cleaning, these rooms that will show it.
* Make sure all wraps being used are disposable or completely sanitized after each use.
* Ask if pedicure equipment and hydrotherapy tubs are self-sanitizing or find out how they are sanitized.
* Look for double dipping – a real no-no. This means that the technician uses an implement to take product out of a container, puts it on the client, then sticks it back in the container.This contaminates the product.
* Make sure hand and foot bowls are being cleaned between uses.
* Make sure wax pots are clean and watch for double-dipping. A new spatula should be used each time more wax is taken out of the pot.
In evaluating a spa, feel free to ask the right questions before you book an appointment. And it’s also important to observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you will have a good spa experience.
These are among the guidelines The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses to license spas. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.
Buying A Spa Gift Certificate
Spa gift certificates are a great gift idea for many of the biggest holidays. Almost everyone loves to be treated to a luxurious day at the spa. But there are a few things you should know before you buy a spa gift certificate so you don't get burned.
Where can I buy a spa gift certificate?
The easiest solution is to buy SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) , which can be redeemed at more than 3,500 spas worldwide. SpaFinder gift certificates are transferable and have no expiration date when purchased online.
It's a good last-minute option becuase they let you print out a gift card, and the actual gift certificate arrives a few days later.You can also send an email to announce the spa gift certificate is coming.
If there is one particular spa you want to send your wife, mom or sweetheart to, you can buy as gift certificate directly from the spa. This way you can choose a specific treatment or package instead of a dollar amount.
How much should I give?
The minimum is usually $50 but most people give $100-$150 to make sure the recipient gets one substantial like a massage or facial.
What should I look out for?
Most individuals spas have a one-year expiration date on their spa gift certificates. If an individual spa goes out of business, you're out of luck. Also, just because a spa is listed on SpaFinder's website doesn't mean it accepts the gift certificates. Look at the listing very carefully if there is one spa you have your heart set on.
Should I include a tip on the spa gift certificate?
It's a nice gesture and easy to do when you're buying from an individual spa. Some spas won't allow SpaFinder gift certificates to be put towards a tip. You can always enclosing an extra 15-20% in cash and indicate it is for tips.
What spa treatments can you get with a spa gift certificate?
Prices vary depending on the spa, but this is typical:
-$50 - $75: spa manicure, spa pedicure or waxing.
-$75-$125: massage, facial or body treatment.
-$125 - $150: Specialty massage like a hot stone massage.
-$150-$250 -- Two services at most spas.
-$250 and up -- Half and full-day packages
What if she doesn't use the whole amount on spa treatments?
She will get a store credit she can spend on products ranging from nail polish and candles to expensive robes and jewelry. If it's substantial she can come back another time.
Can he get a cash refund?
Spas won't give refunds on gift certificates.
What if I want to buy an expensive overnight stay at the spa as a gift? Can I do that?
Many destination spas and resort spas, including Red Mountain Spa in Utah and Miraval in Arizona, accept SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) . You can buy a substantial dollar amount and let the person pick which spa they want to go to. If you have a particular spa and length of stay in mind, call that spa and ask how much it would cost.
Be sure and check for limitations. Canyon Ranch Lenox in Massachusetts only lets you use up to $500 of SpaFinder gift certificates towards a stay.
You can also buy the gift certificate directly -- and may have to if you want a particular spa that doesn't participate in SpaFinder like Lake Austin Spa Resort.
What happens if they don't use up the entire amount?
Again, the person will get the unused amount as a credit. For maximum flexibility on a large gift, break the amount into several large gift certificates -- four $500 gift certificates instead of one $2,000, for instance.
What if it gets lost?
If SpaFinder gift certificates are lost, it's like losing cash. This is a fairly common policy at spas, but you can check with an individual spa to see if they have a different policy.
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