The term ‘spa’ encompasses a wide range of services and experiences, and can mean everything from a small facial and massage business to expansive destinations of pampering. The word spa was first used as far back as the eras of Ancient Greece and Rome to describe naturally occurring thermal springs. These locations of bathing and relaxation were believed to benefit health and wellbeing, and in this sense not much has changed to date. Spas remain havens of luxury; the only difference today is that they have changed shape and form to fall into various different categories.
Day Spa: This is the spa in its most basic form, which is not to say it is any the less pampering. Usually providing facials, massages and occasionally other treatments, they also often offer salon services such as waxing, manicures and pedicures. Day Spas are the ones you will find in city centres and residential areas, providing local clientele with brief but restorative treatments and repeat appointments. In most cases you will be in and out in anything from 30 minutes to two or three hours.
offering services to hotel guests and usually the general public. Facilities can be more extensive than in your average Day Spa, with pools and thermal suites available either within the spa itself or as part of the hotel’s leisure centre. Spa Hotels, as opposed to Hotel Spas, are also becoming increasingly common, the former putting the emphasis on the spa with the latter being a spa partnered with an already established hotel
