Destination spa

This article is about the health resort. For other uses, see Spa (disambiguation).

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Destination spa in Bormio, Italy

A destination spa is a resort centered on a spa, such as a mineral spa. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or mineral springs. Typically over a seven-day stay, such facilities provide a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special interest programming.

Some destination spas offer an all-inclusive program that includes facilitated fitness classes, healthy cuisine, educational classes and seminars as well as similar services to a beauty salon or a day spa. Guests reside and participate in the program at a destination spa instead of just visiting for a treatment or pure vacation. Some destination spas are in exotic locations or in spa towns.

Destination spas have been in use for a considerable time, and some are not used actively, but rather are historically preserved as elements of earlier history; for example, Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs in California is such a historically used spa whose peak patronage occurred in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Resort spas are generally located in resorts and offer similar services via rooms with services, meals, body treatments and fitness a la carte.

Types of services

Main article: Body treatment

Typical services include:

• Balneotherapy
• Body treatments such as body wraps, aromatherapy
• Cooking lessons
• Facials — facial cleansing with a variety of products
• Fitness consultation
• Hair spa treatment
• Ionithermie
• Massage
• Medical treatment
• Nail care (manicure), pedicure
• Nutrition counseling
• Skin exfoliation — including chemical peels and microdermabrasion
• Waxing — the removal of body hair with hot wax
• Weight loss

See also

• Mineral spring
• Spa

External links

• International Spa Association