So you want to plan the perfect spa getaway? You’ve come to the right place!
The following is a guest post from my bloggy friends over at Oak Haven Resort & Spa. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
Crafting the Ultimate Rejuvenating Spa Escape
When you just need to unwind and focus on taking care of yourself, nothing beats a getaway at a spa. Whether it’s just for a day, a weekend, or even a full week of pampering and self-renewal, you will emerge from your spa experience recharged and ready to face the real world. Here are some tips and tricks on how to plan the perfect spa getaway.
What do you want?
The first step in planning your ultimate spa experience is to decide what you want. Pampering and relaxation, sure, but what are the details? Do you want to go alone or with a group? Are you looking for specific treatments offered by only some spas, such as bathing in natural hot spring mineral water, or are you good with a more generic package of massage, yoga, meditation, and a facial? Draw up a list of must-haves, wants, and other spa services to guide your planning.
Ways to relax
If your priority is to relax, focus on the following:
● Massage
● Sauna sessions
● Baths and pool sessions
● Meditation
● Yoga
Going to an all-in-one spa that provides rooms to stay in and meals can also increase your relaxation level.
Take full advantage
If you are a relative newcomer to spas, it may be difficult to choose from the many different treatments. You may be tempted to schedule as many as possible into each day. However, the sauna experts recommend selecting one treatment in the morning and one in the afternoon. Don’t try to overschedule your time in the spa; rushing frantically from one treatment to the next will completely ruin the experience. Before each treatment, take a quick shower. After your treatment, spend some time in the sauna or steam room to recover and relax.
Go outside
Getting some exercise and fresh air will enhance your spa getaway. Consider including some time to visit the local area in your plan. Seeing the local sites by hiking, biking, rowing, or walking will enhance your overall health and add to your level of relaxation. Many spas are set in beautiful natural areas and it would be a shame not to include some wilderness meditation time in your getaway.
Depending on the location of the spa, you may also want to spend some time enjoying the local nightlife. Including fine dining, musical performances, plays, and other attractions in your spa getaway is an excellent way to relax and unwind.
Set a budget
It is important to consider how much money you can comfortably spend on your spa trip. After all, you don’t want to ruin all of that relaxation by stressing out about how you are going to pay for it. If funds are limited, consider visiting a local spa rather than one set in an exotic location, or doing a weekend getaway rather than an entire week.
Take stock of your health
This may seem like an odd requirement before heading off to a self-pampering event, but some treatments that spas offer are contradicted for individuals with specific allergies, on certain medications, or with preexisting health conditions. The spa professionals will be fully aware of whether a treatment is safe or not, but they cannot tell by looking at you if you have certain conditions. You need to be completely honest with them about your current state of health in order to fully enjoy your spa experience.
Prepare yourself
Some spa treatments may work better if you prepare ahead of time. For example, if you want to undergo waxing or other hair removal treatments, you need to allow the hair to grow out a bit in order to get the best results. You should do some research about your desired treatments and see if you need to prepare in any way before your visit.
Book early
Once you have drawn up your plans, you need to complete the final step: book some time at the spa. Most spas are fully booked ahead of time, so in order to ensure you can gain access to every part of your dream spa getaway, you need to reserve your spot as soon as possible. Discuss the details of your plan with the scheduling expert while booking to ensure your stay will go as smoothly as possible.
Disconnect
The last thing you need to do before walking through the doors of the spa is to turn your phone off. If you can’t resist looking at it, hand it over to the spa staff to lock away during your stay. Make sure your email, voicemail, and text messages all have an “out of office” message, telling everyone you are not available and will get back to them later. Now, you are ready to enjoy your perfect spa getaway.
