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Types
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- Ayurvedic Spa
- Where the ancient Indian practice of traditional
folk medicine includes nutrition, herbal therapy,
aromatherapy, massage and meditation.
City/urban spa- Offering the ease of a city centre location, these
spas are typically housed in hotels, but may also
include stand-alone day spas.
Day spa- Whether hour-long, multiple hour or full day, treatments
at day spas reflect a variety of different therapies
customised for shorter visits. Day spas are getting
away from long, confusing menus, and focus on massage,
facials and other mainstays. Some will embrace express,
no frills and discount concepts.
Destination spa- Destination spas include a comprehensive array of
services, physical fitness facilities, spa cuisine
and educational opportunities all in one... This is
a facility which is dedicated to providing a comprehensive
lifestyle improvement program in which all on-site
guests participate.
The sole purpose of a destination spa is to educate
men and women about health enhancement through coordinated
and facilitated physical fitness activities, wellness
education and special interest programming and healthful
cuisine. (served exclusively)
Eco spa- Eco spas offer all the luxuries of a traditional
spa, but use of plastic products and bleached paper,
as well as chlorinated water and other processed elements
is strictly limited... They provide visitors with
a serene, 'green' spa experience.
These environmentally-friendly destinations believe
that personal health begins with global health - a
belief that extends to the way they create spa products,
(all organic ingredients) wash dishes, (vinegar instead
of soap) light their rooms, (solar panels and fluorescent
bulbs) and process wastewater. (bacteria, fish, snails,
etc.)... Look for a growing number of traditional
spas to hop on the eco spa bandwagon, both from an
operational and marketing standpoint.
Medi spas- With dedicated physicians, medical support and staffed
facilities, medical spas help with recovery from cosmetic
surgery, chronic headaches, sleep disorders and weight
management issues... They blend traditional medical
expertise with spa luxury and innovation. These spas
are becoming trusted venues for executive physicals,
health and wellness programs, cosmetic treatments,
dentistry and dermatology.
Resort spas- All the amenities of a traditional vacation destination
are found here, including a complete selection of
spa services, programs and dining.
Resort spas continue to diversify their treatment
offerings with indigenous experiences... Thai massage,
Ashtanga and Indian head massage join Ayurveda, Shiatsu
and hot stone massage as popular treatments... On
the spa product front, two trends are high-tech cosmecuticals
and "no-tech" organics.
As for cuisine within the spas, customisation and
variety are the trends, with spas offering a range
of diet options to meet each guest's needs (vegan/vegetarian,
high protein, low carb, low fat, etc.)
Travellers hit destination and resort spas to quit
smoking, recover from grief, achieve spiritual awareness,
improve sexual health, or detoxing. (which is shaping
up to be an extremely popular spa pursuit in our toxic
times)... Men come for physical therapy and pain reduction
treatments. They also discover that spa grooming treatments
have a positive impact on their business and personal
life.
Thalasso spa- Using the healing properties of seawater and oceanic
products such as seaweed and seaweed wraps, Thalasso
spas are a popular approach to therapeutic pampering.
Ultra-luxurious spas- The luxury end of the market is becoming even more
luxurious. That trend is going in two directions...
At one end, you have a more exclusive, tasteful experience,
such as the Mandarin Oriental's Asian-inspired spas.
On the other hand you have the "bling" factor,
like creams made with diamonds. Stay tuned for daily
private spiritual and wellness counseling, ruby/diamond/emerald/sapphire
massage oils, four-hour massages, three-therapist
treatments, underwater spas, private hotel/spa rooms,
and a slate of ultra-chic big-name designer spas.
Mobile spas- Can't find time to get away to a spa? Now the spa
will come to you. Mobile spas, complete with therapists,
massage tables, pedicure carts and other equipment,
offer roving relaxation in venues ranging from movie
sets and airports, to hotel rooms and offices... Home
spa parties, meanwhile, will become an increasingly
popular alternative for baby and wedding showers,
bachelorette parties, birthdays and "just because."
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