How to choose a spa experience to suit your needs

We are spoiled for choice when it comes to superior spa experiences in South East Asia. Treatments are much more affordable than they are in many parts of the world and there is a wide variety of services on offer. Use these guidelines to help you find the spa experience that will meet your needs.

Location

Consider where the spa is located. Will you have to battle through an hour of busy traffic to get there, only to have to do the same on your way home? Of course you can manage your reaction to the busy traffic, but if you think it might affect your stress levels and reduce the benefits you receive from your spa experience, consider choosing somewhere closer to home.

Your problems and concerns

Are you going to a spa simply to relax, unwind and rejuvenate? Or do you have specific health issues that you want to address? Consider these questions before you choose your spa experience, and select a spa that offers treatments specific to your needs. For example if you have lots of muscle knots, find a massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue massage. For specific skin complaints, research the types of facial treatments that may be most beneficial for you and choose accordingly.

The people

A great practitioner can make all the difference between a poor-average and an exceptional spa experience. Do a bit of research before choosing your practitioner if you can. This might not be necessary for simple treatments, but for more in depth ones you’ll want to know you’re in safe and experienced hands. 

Choose your practitioner based on recommendations from friends, website reviews, and/or qualifications and level of experience. For beauty treatments that carry a higher risk potential, meet with your practitioner in advance to check that you feel comfortable with them and they can answer all your questions.

The people who work at the spa will likely play a huge role in how good your experience is. Aside from the practitioners, how friendly are the people who answer the phone and greet you at reception? Do they happily answer all your questions and make you feel at ease? 

Value 

Decide what your budget is and then find out what your spa experience includes. Sometimes little touches can go a long way, and you might even find it’s a small business that goes the extra mile to provide a complete relaxation experience. Decide on what’s important for you, and choose accordingly. Do they offer you a cup of tea and magazines to flick through while you wait? Is the atmosphere tranquil and calming, or does it feel sterile? Will they allow you to have a tour of the facilities before you make a booking? Are there facilities such as a pool or steam room that you can make use of before or after your treatments?