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
The Spa Man in Indonesia
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
Beach Massage – Phuket, Thailand
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
Coffee Body Scrub at Banyan Tree Bintan
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
Spa Therapist, Banyan Tree Bintan
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
Facial workout at Face Gym
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
Pure Flow Machine at Bulgari Hotel and Spa, Knightsbridge
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
Healthy breakfast at Four Seasons Canary Wharf
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.