Vacations are the best times of the year. And everyone loves the spa too. So why not combine the two for one good time? A spa vacation can be the relaxing getaway you need to recharge. With the unrivaled serenity of a spa environment, your vacation will reach new levels of greatness. You probably didn’t think anything could beat an ordinary vacation, but factor in a spa, and you’re on your way to paradise.
A spa getaway can be anything you want it to be; there’s such a variety of spas out there that you could choose an active vacation or one based entirely on relaxation. The choice is yours. If you’d like to be totally immersed in the spa lifestyle or want an active retreat, then a destination spa is the venue that’s right for you. But if luxury is more the name of the game for you, choose a resort spa for an unforgettable trip that will let you kick back.
Destination spas are places that help guests achieve a goal through an intensive spa program. Some people go to destination spas to find inner peace or to undergo a detox regimen, but the most common reason for planning a spa getaway to one of these venues is for weight loss purposes. Many destination spas can help jumpstart diets in just a few weeks. And unlike fad diets that rely on limiting food intake, destination spas’ programs teach guests to make small lifestyle changes that will make a big difference. After two weeks at a destination spa, some people’s results are incredible—up to 30 pounds lost!
The thing about a destination spa is it’s very structured. If you choose to go to one for your vacation, you won’t have much control over what you do each day. There will likely be a set itinerary filled with exercise classes, health seminars, and cooking demonstrations. You may have the option of purchasing spa treatments, like massages, in the evenings. Don’t think that just because your days are planned you’ll have a bad time at a destination spa. Most participants love the time they spend there. In fact, sometime the best getaway is one taken at a destination spa with a goal in mind! One thing to keep in mind, however, is that destination spas usually have minimum stay requirements. So if you’re planning a quick trip, you’ll find it difficult to find a spa that will accept you. Destination spas are best for vacations that last a week or longer.
If you don’t have any desire to lose weight or immerse yourself in a spa environment, then a destination spa probably isn’t right for your vacation. People who just want to relax should choose a resort spa, where the days are free to do what you choose. Resort spas are also much easier to find than destination spas, so a trip to one might end up being more convenient. And in general, you can find a resort spa for much less money than a destination spa.
At a resort spa, there will be a large spa area on site, and you will choose how involved you’d like to be in it. If you want to get spa treatments every day, you could, but if you’d rather explore the resort’s other amenities, that would be fine too. Every resort spa is different, and there are no rules governing what they have to include to be considered a spa. So while some properties will include extensive exercise facilities, yoga classes, outdoor treatment cabanas, and spa areas, others will only offer a few private treatment rooms for therapist-administered sessions. If you’d like to spend a lot of time at the spa, find a resort that offers lots of spa-related activities. This might require a little more research, but it’s worth the effort.
When compared side by side, destination spas always seem to cost more than resort spas for the same length of a spa vacation. That’s because destination spas include everything in their quoted price; lodging, food, and classes will be factored into the estimate. Resort spas, on the other hand, will charge you for everything individually. So while a resort spa might seem cheaper at first, it might be because you are comparing the all-inclusive price of a destination spa to the price of lodging at a resort. Once you add in food and activities, the cost is about the same, although the cheapest resort spas will probably cost less than the most inexpensive destination spas. At both venues, spa treatments will cost extra.
Choose between a destination or resort spa depending on your own needs. And then go and have a great time on your spa vacation! If you make the right choice about where to go, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable trip.
Choose between a destination or resort spa depending on your own needs. And then go and have a great time on your spa vacation! If you make the right choice about where to go, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable trip.
