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The Ponte Vedra Inn, Club Spa, a North Florida Landmark since 1928 |
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Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and Blue Marble Spa, San Diego, California |
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The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa, Dallas, Texas |
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Spa Bali at the Holiday Resort, Tumon, Guam |
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Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico |
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Shane Diet & Lifestyle Resorts at the Honor’s Haven Resort and Spa, New York |
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 Don't Miss: Spa Cuisine Recipes of the Month courtesy of the women-only retreat Green Mountain at Fox Run, Vermont
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WHAT IS A BED & BREAKFAST SPA?
A spa located within a residential Inn (Bed & Breakfast Inn) in which a guest is provided a private sleeping room, and at least one meal (typically breakfast, although additional meals, tea service, or snacks could be available) prepared and served on the premises.
Residential common areas (seating areas, dining, bathrooms) are usually shared. The spa should be a dedicated room or outbuilding for that purpose and provide at a minimum a menu with massage, skincare and body care. See also "In Room Spa."
WHAT IS A CLUB SPA?
A facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis. †
WHAT IS A CRUISE SHIP SPA?
A spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. †
WHAT IS A COSMETIC SPA?
A spa that primarily offers aesthetic/cosmetic and prevention/wellness procedures and services such as facials, peels, waxing and other non invasive procedures that are within the scope of practice of its staff but do not require on-site medical supervision. † See: Day Spa, Salon Spa
WHAT IS A DAY SPA?
A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis. Day spas offer many of the same services and procedures as cosmetic spas. † See: Cosmetic Spa, Salon Spa
WHAT IS A DESTINATION SPA?
A destination spa is a facility with the primary purpose of guiding individual spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically a seven-day stay, this lifestyle transformation can be accomplished by providing a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthful cuisine and special interest programming. †
WHAT IS A DETOX SPA?
A facility which has developed and encourages guests to follow either a "Detox Diet" or dietary plan (e.g., unprocessed or raw food, or the juice of fruits and vegetables only, or vegetarian diets, with the elimination of all sugar, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol) which the facility believes will have detoxifying effects.
Detox Spas often offer colon hydrotherapy (colonics) and/or hydrotherapy to aid in a "body cleanse." We believe great care, advance study, and medical advice should be undertaken by guests before considering following a Detox Diet for any period of time (See note, below).
WHAT IS AN ECO-SPA OR GREEN SPA?
A facility, either for day use or in a hotel environment, which subscribes to an ecological sustainable ethos and strives to carry out predominantly ecologically and environmental friendly practices, including but not limited to favoring natural and organic ingredients over synthetic ingredients in treatments;
organic and natural textiles in linens and apparels; use of alternative energy and power; recycling of both goods, textiles, and water; and reduction of noise, light and sensory pollution. Eco Friendly Spas
WHAT IS AN IN-ROOM SPA or a MASSAGE ONLY SPA?
Strictly speaking there is no such thing as a "massage only spa" because most massage modalities doesn't follow the literal translation of "health through water" (Watsu would be an exception) or involve aesthetic service. Still, many hotels and resorts offer so-called in-room spa treatments -- typically
massage although light skincare is becoming a norm as well -- in order to encourage the guest to view massage or limited associated services as part of the means to relax and rejuvenate. Typically, a massage therapist will set up portable massage and treatment tables and perform a variety of massage modalities in the privacy and comfort of your guest
room so that you need not travel outside of the room and can shower and change in the comfort of your own guest bath. This is particularly useful if you are body shy or simply on a strict schedule. Some in-room services include light skincare (e.g., treatments or services which don't require the use of sophisticated equipment, such as galvanic
current, steam, lasers, and such), and "bath butler services" whereby your guest room's bath is converted to a spa like environment with luxury amenities, rose petals, wine, scents, oils, and more. Tip: If "in room services" for massage and skincare are offered and provided by the same therapist, be certain the therapist is both a
licensed massage therapist and a licensed aesthetician. See also "Mobile Spa."
WHAT IS A MEDICAL SPA?
A facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services, as well as traditional, complimentary and/or alternative therapies and treatments. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, which can include both aesthetic/cosmetic and prevention/wellness procedures and services. †
Medi Spas
WHAT IS A MINERAL SPRINGS SPA?
A spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments. † Hot Springs Spas
WHAT IS A MOBILE SPA?
Individual, licensed and trained therapists may include massage therapists, aestheticians, and stylists, who travel to the guest's residence, hotel, special event (wedding, church, reception) or office (conferences, seminars) to perform skin care, body care, massage, hair styling, and similar services. A
mobile spa should offer therapists trained and licensed in each of these areas, as opposed to strictly "mobile massage therapy."
WHAT IS A RESORT/ HOTEL SPA?
A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. In addition to the leisure guest, this is a great place for business travelers who wish to take advantage of the spa experience while away from home. In many cases resort/hotel spas also act as day spas for local clientele and may offer special rates for people that live in the community. †
Stay Spas
WHAT IS A SALON SPA?
A beauty salon which offers primarily services for cutting, grooming, and styling hair for men and women, and also offers certain spa services, usually in a smaller space, including skincare, waxing, threading, and massage. Typically there is neither a private quiet-lounge or relaxation area, nor sauna/steam/hydrotherapy services. A masseuse alone, either onsite or on call, does not constitute a "salon spa." See Day Spa, Cosmetic Spa
WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL SPA RETREAT?
A wellness retreat with overnight accommodations (lodge rooms, bunkhouse, dorm, cabins, or guesthouses) at a retreat centre (e.g., farm, monastery, school) conducted by individuals who encourage the use of personal reflection, prayer, or meditation, as well as offering body and wellness services which could include yoga, massage, hydrotherapy, colon therapy, steam and sauna, and more. A masseuse alone, either onsite or on call, does not constitute a "spa retreat."
WHAT IS A VINOTHERAPY SPA?
Vinotherapy is a beauty therapy process in which either the residue of wine making (the pips and pulp) are incorporated into skincare and body care treatments (scrubs and masques) because the pulp is believed to have anti-oxidant, anti-aging and exfoliating qualities, or, wine (still in drinkable
form) is added to a treatment (usually hydrotherapy) to soften the skin. Increasingly, the incorporation of grapeseed oil, a natural antiseptic, ground grape seeds as a "scrub", and wine extracts and scents in lotions and potions are also being described as "vinotherapy" as well, although this is more fanciful than therapeautic.
Vinotherapy Spas
WHAT IS A WEIGHT LOSS RETREAT?
A facility which operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed professional, which may include a medical doctor, dietician or nutritionist, whose primary purpose is dietary and nutritional education, counseling, programming in order to assist guests in achieving healthy weight goals Additional wellness, aesthetic, or cosmetic procedures and services may be available, but the primary focus of the retreat is a healthy weight by proper nutrition.
Weight Loss Retreats
Definitions marked with † are (c) International Spa Association.
All other definitions are (c) Spa Index Media, LLC Note: Exercise Caution with Detox Diets |
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