What to look for in a SPA break: 10 top tips

“The rush of the daily commute, impossible deadlines at work and never-ending office politics can all get too much and even take their toll on your mental and physical health.

“But there’s a quick way to bring your body and soul back to life,” says Karolina Janowska, CEO and co-founder of Aziza Travel, which specialises in nourishing health and spa holidays.

According to Karolina, a self-indulgent, relaxing and rejuvenating SPA break could be the answer.

But she’s keen to stress that a SPA break is no ordinary break.

“If you want to get the most out of your SPA escape and spend your time and money wisely, there are few things worth considering when planning your perfect getaway,” she tells MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

So, with this in mind, we’re delighted to bring you Karolina’s 10 top tips for booking the perfect retreat:

1. Identify your Goals
“It might get to the point when you just want to go online and book one of the first SPA packages you come across,” says Karolina. “But let’s be honest. With so many different SPA deals on the market, the chances you actually pick the one that will fulfil your needs are very small. Instead, spend some time figuring out what it is you really need. Are you after some serious pampering? Does calorie-crunching or toxin-shedding seem appealing? Do you wish to simply relax and unwind? Or maybe your desk job has made your back muscles stiff and tight? Write it down on a piece of paper. If you know what you want, you’ll be able to plan your SPA break around your personal needs and avoid big disappointment afterwards – not to mention wasting time and money.”

2. Health SPA or Beauty SPA?
“When we think of a SPA it straight away sparks an image of people lounging around the pool in fluffy white dressing gowns and slippers. Straight away we associate SPA with beauty and relaxing treatments. However, there are also natural and drug-free health SPA treatments out there designed and used to treat many medical conditions such as back pain, joint pain, heart problems or asthma just to name a few. You may, therefore, take advantage of your SPA break and cure your current medical problems at the same time. And health SPA treatments, apart from their healing benefits, will also give you deep relaxation and detoxification of the entire body.”

3. Time
“In our modern, fast-paced society we seem to be always busy and always on the go. Nevertheless when it comes to the SPA break we need to slow down. Even if you do not have much time to spare a short relaxing and rejuvenating SPA break will definitely do the trick. But consider longer stay if you wish to benefit from more medical-orientated SPA treatments.”

4. Destination
“Who doesn’t like exploring new destinations when thinking of going on holiday? There is no exemption as far as a SPA break is concerned. Exotic SPA spots with tropical plants by the pool and open plan treatment rooms may look tempting. However, a long flight as well as adjusting to a different time zone, climate, food and water may turn your perfect SPA break into a nightmare. If you are thinking of a short SPA break and want to be on the safe side, it’s recommended you turn towards some of the hottest SPA spots in Europe that don’t require long, expensive and carbon-burning flights.”

5. Allow your Personality to SPArkle
“Research your SPA spot wisely. Choosing a SPA resort situated in the deep countryside is definitely a good choice if you need some serious peace and quiet and want to escape the world. However, if you have more of a ‘city rat’ personality, such a place – especially when it comes to a longer stay – may not necessarily be good for you. The SPA mood is there but you are still craving for thrilling atmosphere of a busy place. Not to worry. Simply choose a SPA spot situated in or within a close distance to a city or town. Are you a natural-born explorer? How about combining your SPA break with sightseeing? The sky’s the limit!”

6. Look carefully
“Nowadays SPA breaks have become a very popular and fashionable trend. Even if you haven’t yet been lucky enough to experience a real SPA treat, you have almost certain at some point of your life come across a ‘SPA’ word. The world out there is full of SPA centres, SPA holidays, SPA facilities, SPA treatments, day SPAs, airport SPAs, nail SPAs, hair SPAs, SPA beauty products and even SPA food. Unfortunately the word ‘SPA’ is now being highly overused in order to attract more customers and it has, therefore, lost its true meaning: Sanus Per Aquam (health through water).

“It does also apply to many hotels who have named themselves ‘SPA’ hotels just because they have a swimming pool in the building. Look carefully when booking your SPA break and research your potential SPA spot carefully in terms of SPA facilities and SPA treatments on offer. Just to make sure you are going on a real SPA break.”

7. Choosing your Perfect SPA Package
“Choose your SPA package according to your needs i.e. beauty, relaxation, detox, health and make sure you have SPA treatments (or at least some of them) included in the package. In some SPA places treatment rooms may get fully booked especially during peak times. Having treatments already in the package is a guarantee you will actually receive them while on your SPA break.

“There are many captivating SPA deals that appear to be ridiculously cheap. Well, if you look at them closely they do not offer much more but bed and breakfast with unlimited access to the swimming pool. But when it comes to the actual SPA treatments those deals come out as something quite opposite in terms of the price.”

8. Treatments
“As SPA treatments are the essentials of every proper SPA break, make sure you know exactly what you will be having. Some names used to describe SPA treatments might be very confusing and do not really explain much.

“Let’s have a look at this simple example. LI’TYA Mala Mayi with Miji Kodo Body Wrap & Massage – this is what we have found while quickly glancing over few SPA packages available on-line. It’s a body wrap and massage for sure. But what’s exactly behind that mysterious treatment. It’s really hard to tell, isn’t it? If you are not sure about anything regarding SPA treatments, ask – whoever you want to book through – for clarification. Just so you know what you are signing for. It is also recommended you check what professional SPA products are being used for SPA treatments at the SPA place you are planning to go.”

9. SPA Etiquette
“Whether you’re a dedicated SPA insider or a SPA newbie, it is always good to stay on top of the SPA etiquette that is being acknowledged and practised in SPAs all over the world. This will save you stress and disappointment as well as enable your SPA break to go smoothly. The rules are simple. Show up on time for your SPA treatments – if you are more than 10 minutes late, it is very likely your treatment will be cancelled. Do not come for your SPA treatments fully dressed – leave most of your clothes in your room and appear in a white, fluffy dressing gown that should be provided by your SPA hotel. Accept nudity – you may be asked to get fully naked especially if you are having a full body treatment. And never use your mobile phone while in the treatment room. If you really have to take your mobile phone with you keep it switched off!”

10. Think Outside the Box
“It’s universally acknowledged that luxury SPA breaks are only reserved for the wealthy ones. But how would you feel to hear this is not actually true? Eastern European SPAs still remain much more affordable offering at the same time the-state-of-the-art SPA facilities and top class treatments. For example the prices in health and beauty SPAs in Poland are on average three times lower than in other European Union countries. For the price of an average SPA stay in the UK you can have a luxurious SPA break in Poland packed with health or beauty SPA treatments. With only a two-hour flight and the majority of low-cost airlines operating from UK airports to the main cities in Poland, it has never been so easy, fast and cheap to get there.”

For more health tips and SPA chat, join Karolina on Twitter @azizatravel.