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Types of Spas and Their Descriptions

There are many types of spas - destination spas, resort spas, wellness spas - even dental spas! Do you know which one is right for you?

• Day Spas - Day spas offer a variety of spa services - massage, facials, body treatments - on a per-treatment or per-day basis. They do not have facilities to accommodate overnight guests; they generally offer beauty and body treatments and may be affiliated with a salon. Day spas are often found in larger cities as well as resort areas.

• Dental Spas - An off-shoot of medical spas, the dental spa is designed to make the dental experience more comfortable. Massage and soothing music are among the techniques employed in relaxing the patient.

• Destination Spas - A true spa vacation experience, the destination spa focuses on spa treatments, spa cuisine, and other relaxing and healthful activities. Weight loss or fitness spas are generally destination spas; guests come to the spa to devote an entire week (or more) to their health and well-being. Destination spas are generally located in quiet areas away from urban centers, such as beach or mountain areas. "Getting away from it all" and focusing on health and relaxation is the goal at a destination spa.

• Fitness Spas - Almost any destination spa can be a "fitness spa". Fitness and exercise are part of the program at any health, medical or weight loss spa. There are fitness facilities in hotel and resort spas also, but few structured fitness classes or trainers.

• Health Spas - "Health spa" is a term applied to a variety of destination spas focusing on health and wellness. Medical spas are, of course, "health spas"; as are weight loss or fitness spas. Natural treatments and spa cuisine are central to the spa experience.

• Hotel Spas - see Resort Spas. Hotel spas, like resort spas, may offer a wide variety of services, but the spa experience is secondary to the vacation. Hotel spas are more likely to be located in urban areas and may cater to business travelers.

• Medical Spas - Medical spas (or Med Spas) are health, fitness, weight loss, or wellness spas that employ physicians, nutritionists, professional therapists and other medical professionals. Medical professionals are an important addition to a health-focused destination spa, but they also offer medically-based beauty and body treatments at day spas (often adjunct to a doctor's office).

• Resort Spas - Resort spas (and hotel spas) are spa facilities located within a resort in a tourist area. Spa facilities may be top-notch, but the spa experience is secondary to the resort vacation. A visit to the spa is a part of the vacation, but not the purpose of the vacation. However, due to its proximity, guests may indulge in spa treatments over several days. It is sort of mid-way between a day spa and a destination spa; good for weekend spa getaways.

• Weight Loss Spas - A Weight Loss spa is a destination spa that offers daily exercise, low-calorie spa cuisine, and behavioral modification training in a focused setting. It is a way to jump-start weight loss without the distractions of daily living.

• Wellness Spas - "Wellness" encompasses many types of spas. A Health or Weight Loss spa is a wellness spa, but a wellness spa may also have a spiritual focus as well as addressing the physical well-being of the guest. Yoga and meditation may be a larger part of the wellness program.

• Yoga Spas - Yoga classes are often a part of any destination spa focusing on health, wellness, fitness, weight loss, or spiritual growth. While there are yoga retreats that focus on yoga for a full week or weekend, yoga at a spa is simply a part of the program, not the central purpose of the spa.

While not interchangeable, there is quite a bit of overlap between health spas, fitness spas, weight loss spas, and medical spas. To be effective, all of these types of spas must be destination spas (devoted to health, fitness, weight loss or wellness for the duration of the visit). Some medical spas offer day treatments as well.

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