Spa Reservations Day Spas are often booked far in advance. Therefore, it is best to make reservations several weeks before your intended visit. Saturdays and late afternoons are the most popular time slots and should be booked weeks in advance in order to ensure the date and time you want. Spa clients using Spagoda gift certificates should mention the certificate when making a reservation in order to learn about conditions of use.

Requesting a Therapist Most Day Spas have both male and female therapists available. Should you have a preference, please make mention of it when making your reservation. If you have used a specific therapist in the past, and would like to use them again, make sure to request them in advance.

Cancellations If you need to cancel a spa reservation, it is best to do so as far in advance as possible. Most spas require 24-hour advance notice for cancellation of a single service and 48 hours notice for cancellation of a basket of services.

Preparing for the Spa Experience It is recommended that spa visitors not eat for at least an hour before their treatment. It is advisable to drink plenty of water both before and after, particularly when partaking in the spa's heat therapies (sauna, steam room, etc.). Alcoholic beverages should be avoided on the day of the treatment. Visitors should also stay out of the sun on the day of the treatment, and those receiving skin treatments should avoid the sun on the day after treatment as well. 

Dressing for the Spa It is best to wear light, casual clothing when visiting a day spa. Jewelry should be left at home, as it may interfere with treatment. Likewise, shaving should be done at least two hours in advance, so that the skin has time to rest before the treatment. Most spas provide their guests with robes and towels, though guests may want to bring a bathing suit for water treatments.

Massage Attire and Modesty Issues Day Spas are careful to maintain a high level of modesty. Many provide towels and bathrobes for visitors to use when walking between treatment rooms or visiting the sauna. While some therapies, such as hydrotherapy, are most effective in the nude, many treatments can be done fully clothed. Therapists are careful to respect visitor’s modesty and will always leave the room while the client is changing. During massage treatments the client is covered with a sheet and only the part of the body being massaged is exposed.  In addition, most spas allow clients to wear bathing suits during water treatments and massages. If you are concerned about modesty issues, you can call the spa in advance and they would be happy to explain their policies in more detail.          

Arriving at the Spa Visitors should always arrive at a spa on time or early as therapists often have full schedules and cannot run late with a client. When the treatment is over, visitors have a few additional minutes in the treatment room, but should try not to remain more than 10 minutes after the treatment has ended. Rather, they should move into one of the spa’s public areas in order to unwind. First time visitors should inform the receptionist of their arrival, in order to receive a brief orientation before their treatment begins. They may also be asked to fill out a questionnaire, another good reason to arrive early. 

Getting Acquainted When visiting a spa for the first time, it is recommended that visitors request a tour of the facilities. This will enable the visitor to become familiar with the spa’s set-up and allow them to move easily from one activity to the next. It is also important that visitors let the spa’s therapists know of their likes and dislikes. Is the music too loud? Are the lights too low? You will find that you get the most out of your spa experience if you let your preferences be known from the start. If there is a problem with the service you receive, tell the therapist. If this is not helpful, ask to speak to a supervisor.   

Medical Conditions When making a reservation, it is important to inform the Day Spa of any medical conditions that may affect treatment. Visitors receiving facials should inform the therapist if they are wearing contact lenses.

Tipping Though typically not included in treatment prices, tips are accepted and often expected. The accepted rate is between 15 and 20 percent for each therapist. Tips are usually left at the front desk along with the bill. Many Day Spas include a separate tipping envelope which you address with the therapist’s name. Note: Some Day Spas do include tipping in treatment prices, so it is best to ask if service is included when you arrive at the spa.

Public Facilities Before entering any public facility (swimming pool, whirlpool, etc.) visitors are expected to shower. Visitors should bring their towels with them into the sauna and wear the slippers that the spa provides. Shaving in shared spaces is prohibited. 

Cell Phones and Voice Volumes Visitors should always be sensitive to other guests, and conversations should be conducted in muted tones. Cell phones and pagers should either be left home or turned off before entering the spa. This helps to ensure that the spas maintain their calm, tranquil environment.

Children at the Spa Day Spas usually have age limits, so leave the children home. Certain spas have special programs for teenagers, which they will be happy to describe to you in more detail.

Spa Reservations Destination Spas often request that visitors make reservations month in advance. This helps them to schedule rooms and therapists and arrange programming. Many spas also request an advance deposit, to be paid when reservations are made. Because Destination Spas can often be busy, it is best to book at least some of your activities when making a reservation.

Cancellations Cancellation policies vary from spa to spa, but all require advance notice. Many Destination Spas will hold your deposit and allow you to reschedule, though canceling at the last-minute often means forgoing the security deposit.

Getting There Destination Spas are often found in beautiful rural locations, far from the stress of city life. When making a reservation, visitors should feel free to ask about travel arrangements as some spas provide transportation. If the spa does not provide transportation, they will be happy to give directions and offer suggestions to visitors making their own travel arrangements. 

Packing for the Spa Visitors often spend between four to ten days on a visit to a Destination Spa. This does not mean that packing must be complicated. Causal attire is the rule, with running shoes and exercise gear the norm. Guests should pack bathing suits, workout clothes and shoes suited to workouts and hiking. Some spas provide work-out gear, so ask in advance. Laundry services are often limited, so be sure to pack enough clothing to survive a week of exercise. While many spas encourage guests to attend meals in their robes, others prefer dressed down casual. Both makeup and perfume are discouraged and jewelry, which may interfere with spa treatments, is best left at home or stored in the spa’s safe.

Spa Schedule Destination Spas offer visitors a variety of activities to choose from including hikes, exercise classes, therapies, and cooking classes. It is recommended that visitors asses their goals before deciding upon spa activities so that they make the most of their spa experience. Most Destination Spas have advisors who can help visitors plan their activities. It is recommended that visitors begin with lighter activities and ease their way into a more intensive schedule.

Eating at the Spa Destination Spas all provide visitors with nutritious meals, but the type of diet offered varies from spa to spa. Some are vegetarian, some vegan, while some offer non-vegetarian food as well. Visitors should also inquire about a spa's caffeine and alcohol policy. While some spas offer coffee with breakfast and drinks with dinner, others limit all caffeine and alcohol intake throughout visitors' stay. 

Getting the Treatment you Deserve In order to get the most out of your spa experience, it is important that you let the spa know of any preferences or concerns you may have. Most spas have both male and female therapists available, so if you have a preference, you should make mention of it when booking a reservation. It is also important that you let the spa’s therapists know of your likes and dislikes. Is the music too loud? Are the lights too low? You will find that you get the most out of your spa experience if you let your preferences be known from the start. If there is a problem with the service you receive, tell the therapist. If this is not helpful, ask to speak to a supervisor.   

Tipping In the United States, it is customary to tip spa staff 15%. This includes therapists, beauty personnel, wait staff and others who provide you with services during your stay. Although some Destination Spas include gratuities in the stated price, many do not, so it is best to ask in advance. Tips can either be given directly to the person for whom they are intended, or left in an envelope at the front desk. When visiting a Destination Spa outside the U.S., visitors should ask about local tipping customs.

Public Facilities Before entering any public facility (swimming pool, whirlpool, etc.) visitors are expected to shower. Visitors should bring their towels with them into the sauna and wear the slippers that the spa provides. Customs regarding bathing suits in public facilities vary. Many visitors just wear a towel in the sauna and or steam room, but visitors who are uncomfortable are more than welcome to wear a swimsuit.

Meeting People With their many classes and group activities, Destination Spas welcome socializing between visitors. Visitors can meet one another by sharing a table at mealtimes or striking up a conversation while on a hike or after an exercise class. Visitors come to Destination Spas to relax and unwind, therefore stressful topics of conversations should be avoided, and celebrity guests should not be harassed or asked to sign autographs.

Spas and Smoking While smoking policies vary from spa to spa, smoking is usually confined to outdoor spaces or banned altogether. In addition to frowning on smoking, Destination Spas encourage guests to become more aware of their own health and that of the environment in which they live. Therefore, visitors should be careful not to litter and are often encouraged to recycle and conserve water and towels.

Cell Phones Some Destination Spas request that visitors leave all cell phones, laptops and pagers at home, while others restrict their use, permitting visitors to use them only in the privacy of their own room, but not in public places.

Children and Pets Destination Spas are usually for adults only. Children under the age of 16 (or 18 depending on the spa) are discouraged from attending unless the spa specifically advertises babysitting services or children's programs. Certain spas allow visitors to bring small pets, though they are not allowed to attend treatments or group activities. Visitors are responsible for keeping their pets quiet and out of the way of other guests.

At Spagoda, we know that it can be difficult to sort through the many different types of spas on the market to find the one that best suits your needs. Below is a list of the most common types of spas along with a brief explanation of common activities and characteristics.

The Day Spa is the most popular spa option, because it allows visitors to immerse in the pleasures of a complete spa experience without having to leave their hometown. Whether you just stop in for a couple of hours, or decide to spend an entire day, the Day Spa gives you the option of a full range of treatments and often also provides salon extras like facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and makeup application. Unlike most other spa types, Day Spas close for the evening and do not offer overnight accommodations.
 

For those looking for an all-encompassing spa experience which includes dining, overnight accommodations, and a rigorous schedule of treatment and fitness, Destination Spas are an obvious choice. Generally located in beautiful natural settings, Destination Spas offer more than round-the-clock spa services and the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world - they offer a close-knit sense of community and a similarity of purpose to visitors and staff alike. The common visit can range from a few days to several weeks in length.

Resort and Hotel Spas offer visitors a complete spa experience… and much, much more. A full range of sport and leisure activities are usually available including swimming, golf, tennis, exercise classes and equipment, horseback riding, water sports, sunbathing, world-class dining, and night time activities such as ballroom dancing, live music, and clubbing. Spa treatments are usually available in a variety of settings including in the designated spa area, laying beach or pool-side, and in the privacy of your own room.

These are spas as they were meant to be. Connoisseur Spas are guaranteed to have luxurious accommodations, a high staff-to-guest ratio, top-of-their-field treatment professionals, state-of-the-art treatment facilities, and world-class cuisine. Of course, you pay appropriately for what you get at these often award-winning locations, but if you can afford the high prices, you won’t be disappointed.

Mobile Spas allow you to enjoy the spa experience in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Mobile Spas can include a wide array of treatment types plus salon services such as facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and makeup application. Mobile Spas are becoming an increasingly popular option for birthday and anniversary parties, bridal showers, and office events.  

Because of their relaxing ambience and constant emphasis on health awareness, many spas have now added a medical component, making them an ideal place to recover after an operation, or to seek a variety of healing options. Medical Spas usually combine conventional treatment options alongside holistic techniques, allowing for a multi-faceted approach to both physical and mental wellness.

Casino Spas combine top-notch spa facilities and treatments with an onsite casino. Guests will usually pack their daytime schedules with a variety of spa treatments and their nights playing poker, roulette, craps, and any number of other exciting games of chance. These luxury-filled destinations tend to attract visitors who like both their excitement and their spa luxury in oversized doses.

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