Spa Types

Spas can vary considerably in their types and the services they offer. They can range from basic massage centers where you pop in for an hour or so, to get a quick relaxing rub down, to health retreats, where you stay for a couple of weeks on a strict regimen of treatments, exercise and a special die.

In the past 5 years, spa visits in the United States surged 71%. During that time, the number of spas in hotels and resorts across the country more than doubled.

Spas are divided into categories such as resort spas and destination spas. In some cases. Many spas fit more than one category. It's important to choose the type that is best for what you want to achieve. Below are the main categories of spas.

A Day Spa is one you can visit for a day or an hour. This is the most common spa type in new york city. They do not offer overnight accommodation and are ideal for those wanting a day or half day of pampering.

You can have single services like a facial or massage or a full or 1/2 day package of spa services. Some offer use of their fitness facilities or personal training programs depending what they have and how much you're want to pay for these extra services.

A stay spa is any spa that provides accommodation. This includes Health Farms, Retreats, Resorts and Hotels. In addition to multi-day packages, these usually offer day treatment packages so a day getaway can still be enjoyed.

A Luxury Spa concentrates on spoiling people for whom the stress of everyday life is getting too much. If you are looking to indulge yourself in relaxation without worrying about detoxing or dieting - then this is for you.

Here counting calories is out and chocolate cake and bubbly is in! Whether it is simply treating yourself to a manicure or experiencing the wonders of a Full Body Aromatherapy Massage, a Pamper Spa will cater to your needs.

The premise of holistic programs is that true fitness depends on emotional, intellectual, and spiritual wholeness, not just physical well-being.

A Health Spa offers all the facilities you are likely to find at a hotel, and specifically caters to beauty, health and fitness. It has more treatment rooms than a Hotel or Resort and you can normally wander around the entire venue in robes or casual fitness gear.

These are places that offer traditional beauty and health therapies aimed at enhancing well-being. They incorporate more modern therapies, but their main focus is the body and soul, and achieving balance in one's life.

Prevention of illness is the focus of many spas

The word spa is borrowed from the Belgian town of Spa, where those seeking a cure have bathed since the time of the Romans.

Learning how to lose pounds and maintain a healthy body weight is the basis of many spa programs.

When it comes to active vacations, a week at a spa or resort is a great option.

These are hotels and vacation resorts with all the usual facilities. A Resort Spa will normally focus on the specific activities offered, such as Golf, Game Reserves and Game Drives etc. A Resort or Hotel Spa also has a spa leisure centre - this will normally include a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi plus treatment rooms where therapists administer individual treatments. One can expect massages, facials, body and beauty treatments, but specialized treatments are less common. Guests generally wear robes or gym gear in the spa area but not in the main hotel. There are seldom age restrictions in the hotel, but there are often minimum age restrictions for individual treatments.

These are facilities that are totally dedicated to the Spa experience. They offers healthy cuisine, professional treatments, wellness educational, and fitness programs designed to enhance health and well-being.

A wellness center is a place for people wanting to learn about disease prevention, or learn how to change their lifestyles, so that they can take an active role in maintaining their own good health and sense of well being.

A Medi Spa offers wellness treatments and procedures under the direction of a medical doctor and usually includes medical services (i.e. chiropractor, nutritionist, internist, MD, Injury Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Nurse Practitioners).