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.