| Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel & | | | | examples of resort/hotel spas and Bliss or Elizabeth |
| Bookpleasures interviews Susie Ellis, President of Spa | | | | Arden's Red Door are examples of day |
| Finder Inc.Norm:Could you tell us a little about yourself | | | | spas.Norm:Can you tell us something about the new |
| and your expertise in spas, and why you became | | | | developments and trends in the spa industry, |
| interested in them?Susie:I was athletic in my youth | | | | particularly as it affects those couples seeking |
| and naturally gravitated toward being as healthy as | | | | romantic getaways together with spa |
| possible. After college in the mid 70's, I began | | | | treatments?Susie:We are seeing a variety of trends |
| working at the Golden Door Spa which, unbeknownst | | | | in the spa industry. I will share with you the 10 trends |
| to me at the time, was the top spa in the country. | | | | that we predicted in January of this year:Medical spas |
| After spending many years on staff, I became | | | | (medicine and spas coming together)People mixing |
| enthralled with how people's lives were transformed | | | | business and spasThe arrival of the "destination day |
| after just a one-week stay at this famous place. I | | | | spa"More affordable spas and more |
| decided to make spa my life's work, and the | | | | inclusiveInternational treatments and unique and |
| combination of movement, good nutrition, spa | | | | inviting spas internationallySpa cuisine going |
| therapies and a mind/body/spirit approach to wellness | | | | mainstreamTravelers deciding on where to go and |
| became a passion. And lucky for me, the spa | | | | stay depending on the spaPets are welcomed at |
| industry, which was just emerging at the time, was | | | | some spaMore men are goingMore families, including |
| poised for explosive growth.Norm:Why have spas | | | | teens and preteensOf these I think one of the |
| continued to grow and have become popular over | | | | interesting trends for couples is that more men are |
| the past several years?Susie:I see three general | | | | going to spas. This means that it is becoming easier |
| trends that have come together to precipitate the | | | | and easier for a woman to get her guy to go with |
| popularity of spas.1. The aging baby boomer. This | | | | her to a romantic spa get away. Increasingly, they |
| demographic wants to maintain youth and vigor. Spas | | | | already want to go!Norm:I have come across the |
| are a perfect place to achieve these goals.2. Stress. | | | | term "quality assured" spa, what does this imply, and |
| The non-stop bombardment of information and | | | | why should we believe the spa when it has this |
| connectivity is creating a need for people to have | | | | designation?Susie:To be honest, I am not aware of |
| places to decompress, de-stress, slow down and pay | | | | any such designation on a large scale. There are over |
| attention to their body, mind and spirit.3. A troubled | | | | 10,000 spas in the U.S. and no one has been to all of |
| health care system means people of all ages must | | | | them or able to rate them in terms of quality. There |
| become more responsible for their wellness and | | | | is no easy way to conclude the level of a spa's |
| health.Norm:How do you go about identifying | | | | service. In fact, sometimes quality comes down more |
| top-notch romantic spas in terms of quality of | | | | to an individual therapist than it does a facility.That |
| treatment, fitness, relaxation, location, atmosphere, | | | | being said, there are some ways for the consumer |
| and staff?Susie:Truly the best way to identify | | | | to have more information that could help them make |
| romantic spas is to consult the romantic/honeymoon | | | | an informed decision. There is an association called |
| spa category on There are almost 50 romantic spas | | | | the International Spa Association (ISPA) that has a |
| listed. Spa Finder's mission is to connect people with | | | | "voluntary standards and practices designation" that |
| their ideal spa experience, and we also present spas | | | | spas may choose to apply for if they wish. This could |
| in 20 other categories such as: weight loss spas, spas | | | | be of some help. But even here, many spas don't |
| for horseback riding, hiking spas, spas for yoga, | | | | know about this so I wouldn't necessarily rule out |
| etc.Norm:As a follow up which ones would make the | | | | selecting a spa if they don't have this designation.It is |
| top ten on your list?Susie:Here are a few of my | | | | also helpful to look at what awards a spa has won. |
| favorite romantic spas in the U.S.:Mirbeau, New | | | | For example the Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards |
| YorkChateau Elan, GeorgiaMiramante Resort & Spa, | | | | lists the top 10 spas in almost 20 categories. Since |
| CaliforniaSilverado, CaliforniaEmerson, New YorkThe | | | | this award is voted on by readers, it is a good |
| Spa at Sundance, UtahHampton Retreats, New | | | | indication of quality.Of course, word-of-mouth is |
| YorkMana Lani , HawaiiSanctuary on Camelback | | | | always a good way to learn about a spa.Norm:Could |
| Mountain, ArizonaWestglow, North CarolinaOutside of | | | | you give our readers some suggestions as to |
| the U.S.:Brenner's Park, Baden Baden, | | | | tipping?Susie:Tipping policies differ among spas but in |
| GermanyCuisinArt Resort & Spa, AnguillaEl Santuario, | | | | general it is customary to leave a gratuity of |
| MexicoSamas, Park Kenmare Hotel, IrelandEcho Valley | | | | between 15% and 20% for the therapist or |
| Ranch Resort, CanadaNorm:What are the benefits of | | | | technician providing your service. In some cases, the |
| spa treatments for honeymooners and romantic | | | | gratuity is already added on to the final bill and in |
| getaways for couples in search of | | | | some very rare cases, tipping is discouraged. Most |
| de-stress?Susie:There are many ways to de-stress | | | | spas have their tipping policy printed on their |
| and spas specialize in this. Exercise is an excellent | | | | brochure I often ask, "What is your tipping policy?" |
| de-stresser. Bathing in hot water is a de-stresser. | | | | when I arrive at the spa and check in. That usually |
| Massages are for many the ultimate de-stresser. At | | | | clears things up right away!Norm:I have read that the |
| spas people typically leave their outside world behind, | | | | destination spa concept is evolving as some brands |
| they slow down and their bodies become more | | | | expand their product through other outlets. Could you |
| relaxed. A spa has nurturing staff and there is lovely | | | | give us some examples and explain why this is taking |
| food that doesn't intoxicate but rather revitalizes. I | | | | place?Susie:we are seeing brand extension from |
| think that what spas do is help us get back to who | | | | destination spas such as Canyon Ranch and The |
| we really are and connecting at that level is always | | | | Golden Door. Canyon Ranch Health Resort began as |
| romantic.Norm:What spa treatments are especially | | | | a destination spa in Tucson, Arizona in the late 70's. |
| recommended for those new to the spa | | | | They then opened in Lenox, MA and then opened |
| experience?Susie:I think a good place to start for a | | | | their first Spa Club in Las Vegas. They are now the |
| newcomer is with a Swedish Massage and a facial. | | | | spa on the QM2 and are part of a retirement |
| These are still the most favorite spa treatments | | | | condominium spa facility being built in Miami. They |
| because people love them. Although there are many | | | | have also added a Canyon Ranch product line and I |
| wonderful treatments on most spa's menus, such as | | | | hear there are more things in the pipeline.The Golden |
| hot stone massage, Ayruvedic treatments or even | | | | Door branched out from its origins as the U.S.'s top |
| body scrubs and wraps, I would not recommend | | | | destination spa...there are now Golden Door spas at |
| them for the first time spa-goer.For a first time | | | | resorts in Arizona, Colorado and Puerto Rico. There is |
| romantic experience, I would suggest choosing a | | | | a Golden Door product line.But I am also seeing |
| "couple's massage" where both of you are in the | | | | another type of brand expansion; that is product |
| same room for your treatment. Sometimes this can | | | | companies opening "retail spas". Jurlique comes to |
| include a bathing ritual for the two of you together | | | | mind, Givenchy, and to a certain extent Elizabeth |
| before or after...very romantic!And finally, if a spa has | | | | Arden's Red Door could be considered a spa |
| a "signature treatment" that might also be a good | | | | extending from a product. And there are day spas |
| place for a first time spa-goer to begin. Often this is | | | | which have become as well known for their products |
| an experience with more than one element - like a | | | | as their spas, such as Bliss and Nichel.Norm:What |
| scrub and a massage, or a foot ritual and massage, | | | | should we expect in the future from spas?Susie:I |
| etc.And I do suggest that a person let the | | | | think that medicine and spas coming together is a |
| receptionist know that this is their first time spa | | | | very exciting happening. We are seeing prevention |
| experience so that the attendant and therapist can | | | | wellness as well as aesthetic/cosmetic medical spas |
| be a bit more thorough about explaining procedures | | | | now. Doctors and spa therapists working together is |
| and protocol.Norm:What is meant by "destination | | | | resulting in some very nurturing, comfortable medical |
| spas," and how do you differentiate them from other | | | | settings with the best results possible. In addition the |
| spas as well as between themselves?Susie:That's a | | | | entire arena of complementary and alternative (CAM) |
| great question and I'm glad you asked. In the world | | | | medicine is finding a home in the medical spa |
| of spas we segment them into various categories. | | | | environment. Consumers are increasingly interested in |
| The most general categories are resort/hotel spas, | | | | being proactive when it comes to their health and |
| day spas and destination spas. The resort/hotel spa | | | | well being. (They increasingly need to take |
| is part of a hotel or resort where there are also | | | | responsibility for their own health.)I think that spas will |
| activities such as golf, tennis, fine dining, etc. The spa | | | | eventually become a very important part of the |
| is one of the amenities. A day spa is a place where | | | | solution to health problems in the world.Thanks Susie |
| people go for a spa experience but do not stay | | | | for replying to my |
| overnight - this can be for one spa treatment or for | | | | ________________________________Norm |
| several or even for an entire day. Then there is the | | | | Goldman is the editor of and The former is a travel |
| destination spa. Think of them as places to stay | | | | site that melds Norm's words with his wife Lily's |
| overnight with programs that makes it a full | | | | water colors. Their articles focus on romantic and |
| immersion spa experience. In other words, everyone | | | | wedding destinations. You can find out more about |
| is there for the spa experience. Canyon Ranch Health | | | | them by clicking on their site, is also a book reviewer |
| Resorts and the Golden Door are good examples of | | | | and in addition to contributing to his own site, he is a |
| a destination spa. La Costa or The Doral are | | | | regular contributor to many other sites. |