The interest in a spa vacation?

Today, Norm Goldman, editor of Book Pleasures Sketchandtravel & interviews Susie Ellis, president of Spa Finder Inc.

Normal:

Can you tell us something about yourself and your expertise in spas, and why they were interested in them?

Susie:

I was athletic in my youth, and naturally drawn to be as healthy as possible. After college in the mid 70s I started working at the Golden Door Spa, which was without my knowledge at the timeTop spas in the country. After many years on staff, I was shot as enthusiastic about the lives of people were for a one-week stay in this famous place. I decided to work to make my life spa, and the combination of exercise, healthy eating, wellness therapies and mind / body / spirit approach to wellness has become a passion. And lucky for me, the wellness industry, which was just at the time was set for explosive growth.

Normal:

WhySpa continued to grow and become popular for several years in the past?

Susie:

I see three general trends that have joined precipitation baths of popularity.

1. The aging baby boomers. This demographic wants to maintain the vigor and youth. Terme is the ideal place to achieve these goals.

2. Stress. The non-stop bombardment of information and links is creating a need people have places to decompress, de-stress, slowdown and pay attention to their body, mind and soul.

3. A troubled health means that people of all ages need to learn to take responsibility for their welfare and health.

Normal:

How do you deal with the identification of high-profile romantic baths in terms of quality of care, fitness, relaxation, location, atmosphere, and the staff?

Susie:

Really the best way to identify romantic spas is to consult the romantic category / honeymoon spa onhttp://www.spafinder.com. There are almost 50 romantic spas listed. Spa Finder Spa is responsible people connect with their ideal experience, and we also have spas in 20 other categories, such as weight loss spas, spas for horseback horseback riding, hiking spas, spas for yoga, etc.

Normal:

As a follow-up that would make the top ten in your list?

Susie:

Here are some of my favorite romantic spasUnited States:

Mirbeau, New York

Chateau Elan, Georgia

Miramante Resort & Spa, California

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 SanctuaryMexico

Samas, Park Hotel Kenmare, Ireland

Echo Valley Ranch Resort, Canada

Normal:

What are the benefits of spa treatments for honeymooners and romantic getaways for couples looking for anti-stress?

Susie:

There are many ways to reduce stress and Spa specializes in this. Exercise is a great killer de-stress. Bathing in hot water is a killer de-stress. Massages are for many the ultimate de-stress killer. Terme of people leave in their typicaloutside world to slow down behind her and her body more relaxed. Spa has a staff and the food is good, but do not care to relive drunk. I think that level spa, is to help bring us back to who we really are after is always romantic.

Normal:

What spa treatments are especially recommended for those who experience the new spa?

Susie:

I think a good place for a newcomer with a beginningSwedish massage and a facial. These are still the most popular spa treatments, because people love them. Although there are many treatments scrub most wonderful spa menu, such as hot stone massage, body treatments and wraps, or even Ayruvedic, I would not recommend it for the first time Spa-goer's.

For a romantic first time, I would suggest adopting a "couples massage" where both are in the same room for treatment. Sometimes thismay prohibit bathing ritual for the two of you together sooner or later ... I am very romantic!

And finally, if a spa has a "special treatment" that could begin to be a good place for the first time spa-goer -. This is often an experience of more than one item as a scrub and a massage or a bath Foot and Massage, etc.

And I suspect that the person at the front desk to let you know the one, that this experience is their first spa, so that the guards and Therapist can explain in more detail on the procedures and protocols.

Normal:

What is meant by "destination spas" and how do they want from other spas, as well as any other?

Susie:

This is a good question and I'm glad asked. In the world of spas we segment into different categories. The most common types of resort / hotel spas, destination spas and spa.> Resort / Hotel Spa is part of a hotel or resort where there are activities such as golf, tennis, good food, etc. The spa is one of the services. A Day Spa is a place where people go for a spa experience, overnight, but it is not - that day may, for a spa treatment or for several or even a whole. Then there's the spa destination. Think of them as places to sleep, with programs that make it a complete immersionspa experience. In other words, we are all for the spa experience. Canyon Ranch Health Resorts and Golden Gate are good examples of a spa. La Costa or The Doral are examples of resort / hotel spa and happiness or Elizabeth Arden Red door are examples for Day Spas.

Normal:

Can you tell us about new developments and trends in the spa industry, in particular for couples whoWatch a romantic getaway with spa treatments?

Susie:

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

Medical Spa (combining health and medicine)

Businessmen mixing and Spas

The arrival of the "Destination Spa"

Affordable Spas and more inclusive

International and unique treatments and inviting spa

Spa cuisine goes mainstream

The travelers decide where to go and care according to the

Pets are welcome in some Spa

More men go

Groups, including adolescents and preadolescents

Of these, I think the most interesting trend is that for a couple more men Spas. This means that there are always easier for a woman to her husband to go to her for a romantic > Spa hotel. Increasingly, they want to go already!

Normal:

I came to imply the term "quality assured" spa, which is the case, and why should we believe that the spa when you call it?

Susie:

To be honest, I am not aware that such a provision on a large scale. There are over 10,000 spas in the U.S. and no one has been quality, all or in a position to evaluate them in terms of. There is no easy way to complete the level one Spa> 's Service. In fact, sometimes the quality is more important for an individual therapist than it does a system.

That said, there are several ways for consumers to get more information to help them, could have an informed decision. There is an association called the International Spa Association (ISPA), the "voluntary standards and practices called" Baths do it, you can choose one to apply when. This might help a bit '. But here, tooSpas> do not know this and therefore does not necessarily preclude the choice of a health club, if not this term.

'S also useful to see that a spa has won awards. For example, Finder Choice 'Readers Spa Awards are the 10 health centers in nearly 20 categories. Since this award is voted by the readers, is a good indicator of quality.

Of course, word of mouth is always a good way to find a spa.

Normal:

Could our readers some tips on tipping?

Susie:

Tipping under separate spa, but in general it is customary to tip service leave between 15% and 20% for the therapist or technician providing your own. In some cases, the tip is already on the bill and, in some rare cases, tipping is discouraged. Most bathrooms have their tipping policy printed on their brochure I often ask "What is your tipping policy?" When I get to> Spa and check-in that usually clears things right away!

Normal:

I read that the destination spa concept further developed as some brands expand their product through other outlets. Could you give us some examples and explain why this is happening?

Susie:

We see as a destination spa brand extension of Canyon Ranch and the Golden Gate. Canyon Ranch health resort began as a spa in Tucson, Arizona in the late70's. Then he opened in Lenox, Massachusetts, and then opened their first Spa Club in Las Vegas. It is now the spa on the QM2 and are part of a thermal plant retirement condominium built with Miami. They also have a Canyon Ranch product line has and I feel are more things in the pipeline.

The Golden Door Spa branched from its origins as a major objective of the United States ... there is now Golden Door spas in Arizona, Colorado andPuerto Rico. There is a Golden Door product line.

But I also see another type of brand expansion that is "product companies opening" spa retail. Jurlique comes to mind, Givenchy, and a degree of Elizabeth Arden Red Door a product can be considered a spa rises. And there are day spas, Nickel become as well known for their products as their spas like Bliss.

Normal:

What can we expect for the futurethe spa?

Susie:

I think that takes medicine and spa together is very exciting. We are seeing prevention spa / wellness and cosmetic medical aesthetics for purchase. Doctors and spa therapists working together is possible in some very nurturing, comfortable medical settings with the best results. In addition to the field of complementary and alternative (CAM), medicine is looking for a house in the Medical SpaEnvironment. Consumers are increasingly interested in focus when it comes to their health and wellbeing. (You should always take responsibility for their own health.)

I think at the end spas around the world in a very important part of the solution of health problems.

Susie Thanks for answering my questions.

______________________________________________________________

budget-rent-car