SPECIAL INTEREST SPOTLIGHT

BED & BREAKFAST INNS with SPA SERVICES

Don't miss the affordable family Summer Spa Vacation starting at just $218 for three nights at Rocky Gap Lodge & Resort, Cumberland Valley, Maryland. Excellent array of outdoor activities and a full service spa, including a teen spa menu.

The Raj Ayurveda Spa Retreat Vedic City, Iowa, offers a specialized program to enliven your natural healing ability and manage stress. Bonus: Download the complimentary Balance Through Ayurveda Booklet

"Employers can post job openings at the SpaWire Career Board.  It is a good site for hunting jobs and is user-friendly.  ... Employers wishing to post a job opening may do so for a nominal fee ($4.50 per month)." -- Preethi Burkholder

Just because it’s not finals week does not mean students aren’t stressed out. With jobs, homework, exams, 20-page papers and overall hectic schedules, it can be hard to find that precious “me time.”   It is important, however, to find that time and to use it well. De-stressing should not be something else that causes stress. It does not have to be hard. Consider at-home spa therapies that are both quick and easy.  SpaIndex.com offers a plethora of recipes for at-home facials and body scrubs with some surprising ingredients and excellent results.   February 13, 2006

‘East Meets West’ is a common theme this V-day, says Kristina Fitzhugh, editor of online directory Spa Index, where Valentine’s Day specials are designated with a red heart on the specials page. Full Story January 30, 2006
 

No matter how busy life is, a well deserved day spa experience is a quick way to pamper yourself. Day spas are all about wellness of mind, body and spirit. Relaxation is enhanced with self-exploration and education. Physical fitness, new ways to exercise, and stress management are the focus, wrapped up in a wonderful dose of pampering.  More and more Americans are discovering the mental and physical benefits of day spas. Pioneered by Elizabeth Arden in 1910, salons-cum-day spas recently have surged in popularity. In only one year — from 1998 to 1999 — the industry doubled from 860 to 1,600 day spas. Today it’s an $850 million industry. Credit baby boomers who want to battle aging and to 20-somethings who want to hold onto a good thing.  Regular maintenance, not make-up, now is the secret to good skin. Day spas also provide quick, convenient places to shelve stress.   Package prices vary, depending on the services. A day spa and massage therapy clinic may offer Swedish, deep tissue, sports, shiatsu, la stone therapy, facials and waxing. Massage packages range from $80 to $240. Body treatments may range from $65 to $145. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, day spa gift certificates are great to give to just about anyone.   For a list of day spas in the area, visit spaindex.com. 

Food for the skin
Health conscious types have known for years about the value of including “anti-oxidant” rich foods in their diet, from blueberries to pomegranates. With that in mind, Susie Wang of Napa Valley, Calif. put together a collection of spa-type products with a high concentration of anti-oxidants called Aqua Dessa Spa Therapy. The all-natural, organic products not only contain premium ingredients but also have “no fillers, no water, no thickeners, no synthetic chemicals or no animal by-products.”   “AD's products are something unique,” says Kristina Fitzhugh, editor of spaindex.com, who says she is inundated with “spa swag,” and it’s really hard to impress her. “Our criterion has become, ‘Would we buy them ourselves if we didn't get them for free?’ We all said, ‘Yes,’ when it came to Aqua Dessa.”   Full Story, April 11, 2005
 

Spa Index: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas

More spas! There's nothing like a relaxing massage, mud bath or a dip in healing waters. This spa guide spans the globe with spas of all sorts - day, stay, lifestyle - listed for your perusal. Helpful reviews and specials for added guidance complete this picture of radiant tranquility.

"These days, it’s easy to treat mom to spa treatments. Several Web sites can help locate just the right spa for mom. Hercules, Calif.-based spaindex.com contains information on about 7,500 spas in 39 countries, organized by state or country. A “specials section” points bargain shoppers to current deals. Gift certificates can be purchased directly from most spas listed on the site."  -- Teri Goldberg, MSNBC Shopping Columnist 

"The site [SpaIndex.Com] has a few unusual features. It posts spa reviews from readers as well as its own staff. Click on Reviews to post your own comments. Quirky lifestyles link helps you locate Dude Ranch Spas, Pet-friendly spas or Japanese Ofuro-themed spas. Cruise Ships category has a good synopsis of spa services on ten cruise ship lines. Spa Index tracks both Day Spas and Stay (overnight) Spas. Want a spa visit for Mother's day? Spa Index will send an e-mail hint to your daughter or husband."  -- Luisa Kroll, Forbes.Com Editor: Best of the Web, Spa Vacations 

"Finding the Pros: SpaIndex.com offers one of the most comprehensive listings of spas and do-it-yourself kits." -- Jeannine Amber, Essence Magazine

Full Story

"For those Martha Stewarts who wish to tackle organizing a spa party on their own, SpaIndex.Com offers the following suggestions: Incorporate music into your get-together. The power of music can easily transform your party into a soothing atmosphere rather than chaotic madness.  Cheat a little. If you’re on a budget, a variety of spa kits are available that include everything from oils and salts, to candles, pumice stones, and body sanders. Kits also vary accordingly with the age of the party-goer. There are even kits available for children and teens. (Imagine a calmer birthday party next year for your young princess.) The following spa kits should give you a head start: Lost Arts Found (www.lostartsfound.com), Jaqua Girls Spa Party to Go (www.jaquagirls.com), and The Bridal Party Spa Kit (www.mybeautyfarm.com).  Offer towels and robes to your guests. Adding that extra touch can make your home feel more “spa-like.”  Provide plenty of water. Not only does it give them refreshment, but water is also crucial for helping to flush toxins from the body after a massage.   Make and keep to a schedule of activities. This will help keep the party flowing, and keep it from stagnating, which could result in an early exit.  Regardless of the method you pursue for your spa party (day spa, mobile spa, a la yourself), be sure to lay back and enjoy not only your company but the services. The spa party is not only for your friends and family, but for you, too."  -- Darren Buford

"Ahh…spa! What better way to relax the mind and body than with massages, facials, and pedicures? Whether you need a weekend escape or a week-long getaway, we’ll show you how to plan the spa vacation of your dreams, from picking a top-notch location to booking your beautifying treatments. For planning tips and travel bargains, visit Orbitz' Spa Travel area, SpaIndex.com, and -- of course -- BargainBox.com." -- IndependentTraveler.com

"If you want to leave the massaging to the professionals, a gift certificate for a massage is another wonderful way to help her de-stress. For a big-time treat, the massage might take place at a spa. SpaIndex.Com can help you locate spas in your area and let you know about special offers for a day or a weekend. Prices vary widely depending on the length of the massage and choice of amenities." -- Lynn Baumhardt, SouthCoastToday.Com

"Relaxing after a hard day in a warm bath filled with skin softeners is another great way to put life back in balance. The Web site SpaIndex.com offers a host of spa treatment recipes you can create in your own kitchen. Try a Roman Bath Soak by combining one cup of fine grade oil (try sesame, olive or avocado oil), one cup of mild shampoo and 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil in a clean bottle or jar. Shake vigorously and pour two tablespoons into the running bathwater. The mild shampoo helps emulsify and disperse the oil to ensure silky soft skin."  April 2004

"Relaxing after a hard day in a warm bath filled with skin softeners is another great way to put life back in balance. The Web site SpaIndex.com offers a host of spa treatment recipes you can create in your own kitchen." 

SpaIndex.Com, Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas is listed on Page 287, Resources:  "The popularity of spas has grown in the last decade, thanks to the educational and outreach efforts of spa organizations.  These associations are devoted to influencing policy for the spa industry, as well as promoting a positive spa experience to the public... ."