Interest in a spa vacation?

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel & Bookpleasures interviews Susie Ellis, president of Spa Finder Inc.

Norm:

Could you tell us a little about yourself and your expertise in spas, and why you are interested in them?

Susie:

I was athletic in my youth, and of course, dressed in the direction as healthy as possible. After college in the mid-70s, I began working on the Golden Door Spa, which unbeknownst to me at the time was the best> Wellness in the country. After many years, the staff, I learned how people's lives transformed itself inspired from a week at this famous place. I decided to make my life spa work, and the combination of exercise, healthy nutrition, wellness therapies and a mind / body / spirit approach to wellness became a passion. And luckily for me, the spa industry, which was just at the time was set for explosive growth.

Norm:

Why have spascontinued to grow and have become popular in recent years?

Susie:

I see three general trends that have come together to the popularity of spas precipitation.

1. The aging baby boomers. This demographic wants to maintain youth and vitality. Spas are a perfect place to achieve these goals.

2. Stress. The non-stop bombardment of information and links is creating a need for people to decompress to places that have de-stress, slow down and pay attention to theirBody, mind and soul.

3. A troubled health care system means that people of all ages need to be more responsible for their wellness and health.

Norm:

How do you deal with the identification of first-rate romantic baths in relation to the quality of care, fitness, relaxation, location, atmosphere, and the staff?

Susie:

Truly, the best way to identify romantic spas is to consult the romantic / honeymoon spa category on http://www.spafinder.com too. There are almost 50 romantic spaslisted tasks. Spa Finder is to help people with their ideal spa experience come together, and we present spas in 20 other categories such as: weight loss spas, spas for horseback riding, hiking spas, spas for yoga, etc.

Norm:

As a follow-up, which would make the top ten on the list?

Susie:

Here are some of my favorite romantic spas in the U.S.:

Mirbeau, New York

Chateau Elan, Georgia

Miramante Resort & SpaCalifornia

Silverado, California

Emerson, New York

The Spa at Sundance, Utah

Hampton Retreats, New York

Mana Lani, Hawaii

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Arizona

Westglow, North Carolina

Outside the U.S.:

Brenner's Park, Baden Baden, Germany

CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla

El Santuario, Mexico

Samas, Park Hotel Kenmare, Ireland

Echo Valley Ranch Resort, Canada

Norm:

What are theBenefits of spa treatments for honeymooners and romantic getaways for couples in search of de-stress?

Susie:

There are many ways to de-stress and resorts which specialize in these. Exercise is an excellent de-stresser. Bathing in hot water is a de-stresser. Massages are for many the ultimate de-stress. Spas can people usually outside of their world behind, they slow down and their bodies more and more relaxed. A wellness care, the staff, and it's nice that foodnot intoxicate but revitalized. I believe that what is helping us again Spas who we really are and the connection at this level is always romantic.

Norm:

What spa treatments are especially recommended for newcomers to the spa experience?

Susie:

I think a good place to start is for a newcomer with a Swedish massage and a facial treatment. These are still the most popular spa treatments, because people love to. Although there are manywonderful treatments on most spa 's menu, such as hot stone massage, would Ayruvedic treatments or even body scrubs and wraps, I do not recommend it for the first time thermal fireworks.

For a first time romantic experience, I would suggest adopting a "couple's massage" where you both are in the same room for your treatment. Sometimes a bath is ritual for both of you together before or after ... Very romantic!

And finally, if a plant has a"Signature treatment" which could also be a good place for a first time thermal fireworks begin. Often this is an experience, with more than one element - like a scrub and a massage or a foot ritual and massage, etc.

And I suggest that a person is doing, let the receptionist know that this is their first time spa experience so that the counselors and therapists a bit more thorough about the procedure and the protocol can be.

Norm:

What is meant by "destination spas," meant, andHow are you different from other spas, as well as each other?

Susie:

This is a great question, and I'm glad you asked. In the world of spas we segment them into different categories. The general categories are resort / hotel spas, day spas and destination spas. The Resort / Hotel Spa is part of a hotel or resort, where it also includes activities such as golf, tennis, fine restaurants, etc. The bathroom is one of the amenities. A Day Spa is a place wherePeople go for a spa experience, but not stay over night - that can be used for a spa treatment or for several or even for a whole day. Then there is the destination spa. Think of them as places to stay with programs that make a full immersion spa experience. In other words, everyone is there for the spa experience. Canyon Ranch Health Resorts and the Golden Door are good examples of a destination spa. Are La Costa or TheDoral are examples of resort / hotel spas and Bliss or Elizabeth Arden Red Door are examples for Day Spas.

Norm:

Can you tell us something about the new developments and trends in the spa industry, especially as it affects the couples seeking romantic getaways with spa treatments?

Susie:

We see a number of trends in the spa industry. I want to share with you the 10 trends that we predicted in January of this year:

MedicalBaths (medicine and spas coming together)

People mix business and Spas

The arrival of the "Destination Day Spa"

Affordable Spas and more inclusive

International spa treatments and unique and welcoming international

Spa cuisine toward mainstream

Travelers decide where they go and stay, depending on the spa

Pets are welcomed in some spa

More men go

More families, including young people andpreteens

Of these, I believe, is one of the most interesting trends for couples that more men go to spas. This means that it is becoming easier and easier for a woman to her husband to go with her to get away for a romantic spa. Increasingly, they already want to go!

Norm:

I have come across the term "quality assured spa, what does this mean and why should we believe that the spa when this term?

Susie:

To be honest, I am not awareSuch a provision on a large scale. There are over 10,000 spas in the U.S. and no one has to include all of them, or in a position to take them off in terms of quality. There is no simple way to close the level of a spa 's service. In fact, sometimes the quality comes down more to an individual therapist, as it is not an option.

That being said, there are some opportunities for consumers to get more information that could help them make an informed decision. There is a link calledInternational Spa Association (ISPA) that a "voluntary standards and practices of the denomination may choose to apply for Spas has if they so wish. This might help a little. But even here, many resorts do not have this so I would not necessarily come from choosing a spa, if they do not have this designation.

It is also helpful, for what a spa has won awards seek. For example, choice of Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards, the top 10 spas in almost 20 areCategories. Since about this award is chosen by the readers, it is a good indicator of quality.

Of course, word-of-mouth is always a good way to learn about a spa.

Norm:

Could you give our readers a few suggestions, tips?

Susie:

Tipping policies vary between resorts but in general it is customary to leave a tip of between 15% and 20% for the therapist or technician providing your service. In some cases, the tip is already added to the final billand in some rare cases, the deposit will be held. Most spas have their tipping policy on their brochure, I often asked, printed, "What is your tipping policy?" when I come to the spa and approved check is usually things at once!

Norm:

I have read that the destination spa concept will be developed, since some brands expand their product through other outlets. Can you give us some examples and explain why this occurs?

Susie:

We see brandExtension of destination spas like Canyon Ranch and The Golden Door. Canyon Ranch Spa began as a destination spa in Tucson, Arizona in the late 70s. Then opened in Lenox, MA and then opened their first Spa Club in Las Vegas. You are now in the spa on the QM2 and are part of a condominium retirement spa facility built in Miami. They also have a Canyon Ranch product line and I hear there are more things in the pipeline.

TheGolden Door branched from its beginnings as a top U.S. destination spa ... there is now Golden Door spas at resorts in Arizona, Colorado and Puerto Rico. It is a Golden Door product line.

But I'm also here as a different kind of brand expansion, open the product companies' retail spas is ". Jurlique comes to mind, Givenchy and red to a certain extent Elizabeth Arden's Door could be considered a wellness extension of a product. And there are days spas, whichnow are known for their products, as well as resorts, such as Bliss and Nichel.

Norm:

What should we expect in the future of resorts?

Susie:

I think that medicine and spas coming together a very exciting happened. We see prevention / wellness as well as aesthetic and cosmetic medical spas now. Doctors and spa therapists work is a result are very nurturing, comfortable medical settings with the best results possible. In addition to thewhole arena of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) medicine is a new home in the medical spa environment. Consumers are increasingly interested in is proactive when it comes to their health and wellbeing. (You more and take more responsibility for their own health.) Must

I think that spas will be finally a very important part of the solution to health problems in the world.

Thanks Susie for answering myAsk.

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