I’ve been writing about spas since 2007 and visit around 30 spas every year. I’ve been poked, prodded, pampered, bathed, scrubbed and dried more times than I can remember. And I’ve experienced the best and worst of spa around the world. I try to seek out the newest and most unusual men’s spa treatments and am always on the hunt for the best spa around. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve learned so far.
1. A therapist can make or break your spa experience
2. A spa needs, by definition, to have water
3. There nothing better than relaxing post treatment looking out across the sea
4. There’s nothing worse than being cold on a treatment bed
5. Every skincare brand thinks that their way is best
6. Expensive facilities do not mean you’ll have a good spa experience
7. A limp massage is worse than having no massage
8. I’ve never heard whale music in a spa
9. and, I actually quite like spa music
10. You can’t beat a proper Turkish hammam
11. A dirty spa should be named and shamed
12. Therapists deserve a medal, and better pay for the job they do
13. You get what you pay for in a spa
14. Women are driving innovation in the spa market
15. You can’t beat a treatment that uses fresh local ingredients
16. Voucher deals aren’t always the best value.
17. The hard sell at the end of a treatment is off putting
18. A little welcome drink on arrival at the spa is one of life’s little joys
19. Paper knickers for men are odd, uncomfortable and need a redesign
20. A facial can be just as relaxing as a massage
21. The word wellness is misused, overused and misunderstood
22. Cigarette smelling fingers do not make for a pleasant spa facial
23. You can’t beat a super fluffy towelling robe and slippers
24. A smile and a friendly face at reception sets the tone for your spa experience.
25. Spending time in the sauna and steam room before a massage really does improve the benefits of the treatment
A very insightful post on contemporary spa’s across the globe.
I agree those paper knickers need redesigning ASAP – this is a call out to any entrepreneurs reading this?
I had an embarrassing moment when a pair of those paper undies tore. I couldn’t agree more that a re-design is much needed.