Ambiance

A spa should have a relaxed and positive atmosphere, and be pleasing to the senses — the spa should look good, smell good, and it should be peaceful and comfortable. Most ambiance scents are made of essential oils… some are more toning while others are more calming or refreshing. If the spa has plants inside the spa they should be real & not plastic. The music and sounds in your spa must be part of the expression in the identity of the spa, helping set the energy level of each space. Treatments room temperatures should be warm but not hot; cool but not cold.  Treatment rooms should offer clients individual settings so the temperature can be adjusted according to the needs of the client.

Cleanliness

Ask for a tour of the facility and find out about the different treatments on the menu. Be sure to examine the cleanliness and don’t be afraid to ask about their sanitation policies and practices. Pay attention to cleanliness of the floors, washrooms, work stations, linens and slippers.

Other things to look for are clean uniforms and that practitioners wash their hands before and after performing any service. You should expect a very high standard of cleanliness at a spa

Health and medical information

Client information forms should be completed at your initial visit to a spa and updated at your regular appointments. Some medicines and health conditions may contradict with certain spa services, therefore it is important that therapists review and are aware of your medical history prior to your selected services being performed. Based on your medical information, a qualified professional may suggest alternative treatments or even have to refuse certain treatments for your safety.

Products and Services

There are unlimited product lines out there, and spas should only provide its customers with effective treatments using products that are of the highest quality. A good spa should let you know what products they use, and why, but you should not expect any kind of “sell”. Your therapist should tell you what products they have used during your treatment. And if you really loved that cream they used, you’ll probably be happy to buy it.

Qualified and knowledgeable staff is more likely to be friendly and unpretentious when suggesting treatment options, describing the benefits of the different treatments, and suggesting retail products for home use. They will also suggest specific treatments that can be added to your treatments to enhance your spa experience or provide an added benefit. These are referred to as add-ons in the industry. However, it is wise to be cautious of gimmicky services that overly promise results. These costs can add up, and as the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Professionalism

Part of the spa experience should be meeting friendly staff that make it appear as though they have been looking forward to meeting you and providing your services. Staff should introduce themselves, take your lead in the amount of conversation, and be respect of confidentiality. You should never experience any snottiness or snobbery from people working at the spa, nor should you ever feel intimidated. Therapist should be with their client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety. Staff at a spa should be sensitive to your mood and pick up on whether and how much you want to talk. This includes asking you if you’re happy and comfortable during your treatment

Information and communication

Good communication makes for a more comfortable, more enjoyable spa experience. In a good spa, your therapist will explain the stages of your treatment, and ask important questions, such as whether or not you are allergic to anything. This way there’ll be no surprises, and you will be able to fully relax.

*Help Tip 

Make sure the therapist offers you water at the end of your treatment

Availability of water by spa facilities, and advice to drink plenty of it after treatments, are indicators of a good spa. If you’ve been in a hot sauna/shower and don’t have enough fluid, you could pass out. Almost every body treatment will get your lymphatic system going and this will accelerate how quickly your body loses fluid, too