Spa Visit

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What is a day spa exactly? That can seem like a tricky question. As basic definition: a day spa is a spa establishment that’s only opened during the day. No overnight accommodations are available. But it’s much more confusing than that.


There are a lot of businesses out there that call themselves day spas, but not all of them qualify for this title. Some will fit into another style of spa establishment - a destination spa, resort spa, or medical spa. Others will pose as day spas, but won’t meet all of the standards set out to really be part of the category. Many times, salon will employ one massage therapist and will call itself a “salon and day spa.” Unfortunately, a single masseur doesn’t cut it in the day spa world.


Since navigating the world day spas and pseudo spas can be confusing, having a clear idea of what makes something a day spa is crucial when choosing a venue for your next service. Luckily, the Day Spa Association set some guidelines to help determine whether or not a business qualifies as a day spa, beyond the simple day-hour-only rule. If you want a true day spa experience, look for a place that has all of these components:


1. A clean, safe and nurturing environment


This should be a given. Even if a place isn’t a real day spa, it should be scrupulously clean. The best day spas make you feel at ease as soon as you walk through their doors. Look for a venue that does this; it should be decorated in a relaxing style, quiet inside, and filled with friendly staff members who make you feel welcomed.


2. Private treatment rooms for each client receiving a personal service


This is a must for a good spa experience. Look for a business that has multiple private rooms with doors; too often, pseudo spas use one large room with curtains cordoning off separate spaces for treatments. You should never feel like your privacy is undervalued at a day spa; a private room is essential. The exceptions to this rule: if you are having a treatment that isn’t a traditional spa service, like nail treatments or hair care services, then you may be placed in a shared area. Also, if you request a couples treatment, you will share a room with your significant other.


3. Showering and changing facilities for women and men


A true day spa will have separate bathing areas for men and women; these facilities could be as elaborate as a full-size locker room or as small as a single bathroom with a shower. Beware of any spa facility that doesn’t have a shower available--it’s either not up to cleanliness standards or doesn’t offer the treatments that require showering, which means it’s incomplete.


4. Spa robes and shoes for all sizes


You should be given a robe and slippers to change into when you enter the spa. If not, you’re at a pseudo spa; it’s a simple as that.


5. Business licenses and licensed staff


The business license should be posted or readily available. Staff licenses should be either hung on the wall in your treatment room or available at the front desk. When in doubt about a spa, check to make sure it has the proper licenses. If it doesn’t, get out!


6. Professional products which therapists and estheticians have been trained to use


Expect to find the best lines of products available. A spa that uses brands you can buy in your local convenience store isn’t holding itself to high standards. Products should be of a professional quality, and the spa staff should be able to explain them to you and use them appropriately.


7. Swedish and reflexology massages offered (Optional: shiatsu, lymph drainage, polarity, sports, deep tissue, and deep muscle)


Every day spa should offer Swedish massage as one of its treatments. This is the mother of all massages; if a day spa staffer doesn’t know what a Swedish massage is, run in the opposite direction. Reflexology has become so popular that it will be found at legitimate day spas too. Other massage styles are optional. Keep in mind that Swedish massage and reflexology are often called by other names at spas; always ask about these treatments before making a decision about the spa. Don’t just assume that they aren’t offered because they aren’t listed on the menu.


8. At least one of the following body treatments: body packs and wraps, exfoliation, cellulite, body contouring, waxing, homecare program


Even small day spas should offer one of the above services to guests. Many larger spas will offer all of these treatments and many more.


9. Treatments for the face including a cleansing facial and homecare program


Every establishment needs to have at least one basic facial to qualify as a day spa. A homecare program, in which customers learn about maintaining their skin outside of the spa, is also critical. It’s usually added on to the facial service. Keep in mind that many spas will offer multiple facial treatments, and there may not be one known exclusively as a “cleansing facial.” That’s fine as long as there is a treatment with the objective of cleaning the skin.


10. Personalized aromatherapy options for the face or body


All day spas should have aromatherapy services available for interested customers. These can either be found as add-ons to other treatments or as exclusive services in and of themselves.


Beyond what’s detailed above, other services are optional and include hydrotherapy, steam or sauna treatments, hair services, nail treatments, nutritional counseling, wellness classes like yoga, and spa cuisine.