Ooh, I love spa days. Do this several times a year.
The best spa that I have been to was
The Spa at The Crescent in Dallas. I know that you are not in that part of the country, but aim for a place that would have comparable services. You will pay a little more, but you won't be disapointed.
I always enjoy going for the full day. Some spas allow you use of a sauna, jacuzzi, pool, etc before and/or after your treatments, and then they offer you a lunch. Wonderful.
I personally like the places that have an area to relax between treatments, such as a nice part of the women's locker room. You can just hang out in your fluffy bathrobe and drink fruit tea or cucumber water. Sometimes I socialize with others who are there, other times I just want to read a magazine and "escape."
As for services:
Facial- It took me getting about 3 facials before I really started enjoying them. I don't know if that was an age thing, I got used to it, or what. But people are right- it can hurt when they are plucking all that crap out of your pores, but now I feel so much better having had one.
Mani/pedi are good, especailly the paraffin kind. However, these areas are usualy busier with many other people getting services. If you are going for a relaxing day, don't plan on it with these services. However, if you are going to get prettied up... then definitely yes. Only one spa that i have been to had a private room for mani/pedi. The pedi was great... they put me in a chair that leaned so far back that my back was practically on the floor and my feet were at the appropriate level for the person giving the pedicure. Sounds awkward, but it was so comfortable.
I have actually enjoyed some of the fancy baths that are offered, and I am not generally a bath person. However, I have had some with amazing scented flowers and oil in the bath, and with their mood lighting and music it can be a little slice of heaven. Definitely worth considering.
I did a mud type thing once. It was nice- very exfoliating, but very messy! I would definitely do it again, but now I have to wait for vacation as there is nothing anything offered like that in my current town.
A few things to keep in mind:
--Fridays (wedding preps) and Saturdays (people on vacation or off work) are the busiest. I typically go on a Tuesday as that is the least crowded. But I like the peace and quiet. Others may not. Also, for back when I was working, it felt so fun to "skip work" and go to the spa!
-- leave ALL your jewelry at home. Everything.
-- there is no need to show up cute. The massage is often one of the earlier treatments in the day, and your hair gets oily and messed up. If you plan to go out that evening, you will certainly have to shower and wash your hair beforehand. Build that into your schedule.
-- My husband always gives these days to me as gifts. We have learned that most- but not all- places include the gratuity when he purchases the gift package. You will want to know beforehand if this is the case. If it is inlcuded, it is often at 18%.. you are welcome to give more on the day of service.
-- I sometimes add in waxing (not relaxing I know, but while I am there it is just easy to go ahead and get the brows done..). If you do this, schedule it first, or at least before the facial. Most places are smart enough to know this, but I went to one that was not.
Enjoy it! I am so jealous! Now that I have two tiny kids at home (one still nursing) it is hard to get away for an entire day and truly escape. I have very few indulgent habits, but spa days are definitely one of them. I know that you will have a great time.
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