How do you know that the spa you’re going to is reputable and follows the highest standards? One simple way is to ask questions. Here are some questions to ask:

• Ask how long the spa has been operating.
  
  
• The facility itself should be licensed by the state.
  
  
• The therapists and technicians should be licensed.
  
  
• Ask where the therapists were trained... Ask what type of training the technicians have been given if you plan on having advanced procedures, like laser hair removal or chemical facial peels.
  
  
• Ask why the treatments you are interested in having done are therapeutic.
  
  
• Ask if there are any contraindications to the treatments you are interested in.
  
  
• Look over the spa’s intake form... Is it comprehensive?
  
  
• If the facility is a medical spa, is it run by a physician? Is there always a physician or registered nurse at the facility?

You should also feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment.

Before you make an appointment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa has safe and sanitary operations. Keep you eyes open for to red flags that indicate unsanitary conditions in the spa. It’s also important to observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you'll have a good spa experience.

At destination spas, the whole environment is geared towards fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and renewal. You will be with like-minded people in a total “immersion” experience. Prices generally include all meals and regular exercise classes... Some spa treatments might be included, but often they are extra.

It helps to think about what you want from the experience... Do you have a medical issue you want to address?... Do you want an outdoors experience, with hiking and rock climbing?... Do you want a restricted calorie experience or all you can eat?... Find out their food philosophy before you go... Do you want to be in town or in the country? Photos can be deceiving. Find out exactly where the facility is located.

How Much Does a Destination Spa Cost?... Prices can range from $300 to $600 per person, per day to upwards of $4000 per week for an inclusive package... But that can include all your meals, most classes and activities, and may even include some spa treatments like massage and facials.

Look For Style and Substance... When choosing a day spa, there's a lot to be said for convenience. Find the day spas in your area, and go pick up a menu of services. It’s fair to ask for a tour, though they may not be able to accommodate you if treatments are in process.

Another factor to look at is size and atmosphere. Day spas can be as homey as a bed and breakfast or a multi-million dollar facility. Take a tour to find out if you like the spa’s style.

Look for specialties... While day-spas tend to offer as many services as possible, they might excel in a particular area, such as skin care, massage, or healing treatments.

But the most important spa component is the quality of the personnel... A good massage therapist or aesthetician should be able to put you at ease from the start. And as in any pursuit, some people are more gifted and committed than others. You can always notice the difference between people going through the motions and those people who love what they do... you always rebook with the people who do the best work.

How can you tell if you’re going to get a good spa experience? One way is to observe how customers are treated when you take a tour of the spa. Look around to make sure all employees are treating their clients with respect.

Here are some other things to look out for:

• The therapist should be professional, courteous, pleasant and cleanly dressed.
  
  
• The treatment should start on time.
  
  
• Therapists should follow your lead in terms of how much talk occurs during the session. They should not discuss their personal problems with you.
  
  
• Are you left alone during body wraps, facial steaming, or hydrotherapy baths? Some spas do this, but “best practice” is for the therapist to be with the client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.
  
  
• Estheticians will ask about your home skin-care routine, but should not make you feel pressured to buy products. If you want to invest in better products but need to do it over time, ask about good but less expensive substitutes... Ask which products are the highest priority.
  
  
• Massage therapists should be sensitive to the kind of touch you want in terms of pressure... There should never be a sexual quality to their touch. You should feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment. And before you book a treatment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa is clean, pleasant and follows good sanitation principles.

How do you make sure you’re getting the best price on a spa vacation?

First, make sure you understand what kind of spa you’re visiting, and what’s included. A destination spa can be expensive, with prices ranging from $300 to $600 a day per person. But that can include all your meals, most classes and activities, and may even include some spa treatments like massage or facials... Always check to see if tax and service fees are included. They can add a hefty 25%. And you’re likely to want more treatments, so budget that in.

A spa resort, on the other hand, might have an alluring room rate of $150 a night, a great golf course and six swimming pools. But you’ll be paying for all your meals and treatments. They won’t offer as many exercise classes. And you may have to pay $10 or $15 for any yoga class you want to take – or even to have access to the gym and steam room.

Here are some money-saving tips:

• Stay during the week for the lowest rates. Destination spas often have a three-night minimum... A Thursday night arrival will cost more than a Sunday night arrival.
  
  
• Go off-season. In Queensland, rates are higher in the winter, lower in the summer. It’s the reverse in Victoria.
  
  
• If there is a particular spa you want to experience, contact us for details. We can tell you about any special savings programs. For instance, a number of spas encourage guests to return and bring a friend by offering them both discounts.
  
  
• Some spas are copying the airlines with “frequent spa” programs that let you earn a credit of 10% off your base package price if used within 12 months.