How Much Does a Day Spa Visit Cost – Prices

Ballpark Estimate: Individual treatments start at under $100; Spa packages are between $150 and $450 and up

If you are greatly in need of a get-away but can’t afford the time or expense to travel to an exotic resort, you may want to consider visiting a day spa. Whether you live in a small town or big city or somewhere in between, you may be able to find a variety of settings right in your neighborhood (or at least somewhere nearby) where you can indulge in the latest beauty treatments, which can offer an effective way to refresh and rejuvenate your body and mind in just few hours time.

An Easy Way to Recharge

If you feel in need of some pampering, then considering making a visit to your favorite day spa. Whether you prefer a small, intimate place to relax and unwind on your own or opt for a resort location where you can take advantage of elegant treatment rooms, delicious food and even a pool, as soon as you step in the spa doors, the goal is to escape the pressure and demands of the outside world. If you desire, you can even bring a close friend (or group of friends) with you.

Range of Services Available

Different spas specialize in different types of services, so what type of treatments you desire can help you decide where to go. For instance, some spas may be known for helping clients relax and unwind, while others may take pride in providing exceptional beauty treatments or unusual techniques. Here are some of the typical services that you might find that you might find at a day spa, as long as a rundown of what they mean: (Just keep in mind there are many variations on each of these basic specialties.)

Manicures And Pedicures

Most spas offer everything from a quick nail shaping and polish or prefer a long hand and foot soak in intensive skin treatment, or nail enhancements and decorations.

Facials

You can find a range of options to remove dry, dead facial skin, improve the texture and pore size and rejuvenate your face overall. Some of the most popular techniques include massaging, exfoliating, steaming and also adding moisture. More intense treatments such as chemical peels and micro dermabrasion can also help you to correct imperfections.

Body Treatments

If your muscles are tight and sore, a body massage can help them loosen up and feel more relaxed. Add in heat, creams, soaks and a variety of other treatments that will make your muscles warm and your skin shine.

Hair Removal

If you have hair on your body or face that you want to remove, waxing, tweezing, threading or electrolysis are different methods that are easy to find.

Other Relaxation Treatments

You can also find a variety of treatments that can help you to cleanse your body and your mind. Consider body wraps, mud baths, a soak in a hot tub or a trip to the sauna, Further, if you desire to have any medical procedures done, some spas have medically-trained staff that can perform Botox and other options.

Beauty Services

You can also add in beauty services, including makeup application, hair cut, color and styling, too. You can expect that these extras will usually be a little more than you would pay for them at your local beauty salon.

What to Look For

If you are looking for a day spa, you might want to start your search online. The Day Spa Association offers a list of accredited spas and also judges them on their performance. This can be a great way to help you to weed through the choices efficiently. To qualify, a spa must use only licensed estheticians and therapists to provide treatment services for clients. Just keep in mind that membership is optional, so just because a spa doesn’t belong doesn’t mean they don’t do good work. Some of the smaller spas may not be apply to afford the time and money involved in achieving this accreditation. You can also check with your local and state government for more information on any spa you are interested in trying. At a minimum, most spas should be licensed by the Department of Public Health and the Board of Cosmetology.

How to Find a Spa

There are also a number of websites that specialize in compiling lists of different spas and treatments, making it easy for users to narrow in on exactly the right fit for their needs. For instance, you can try including Spa Hub, Spa Finder, and SpaWish. You can also check out the website for Spa Magazine, which also includes a listing of spas in the country.

What It Costs

What you can expect to spend at a day spa depends on a number of factors. For instance, whether the spa is located in a small town or big city can make a big difference. In addition, smaller, more informal spas may be on the lower end of the price scale, while more elaborate spas located in upscale hotels and resorts will usually charge more for their services, in large part because of the luxurious setting in which the treatments are performed and because their staff likely is highly experienced and recommended.

While each spa will have its own unique system of pricing in place, and the range can be quite broad, here is a sampling of what you can expect to spend for some of the individual treatments you might request:

• Massage: $75 to $200, depending on the length and the type of methods you select
• Facial: $60 to $150 and up (masks, serums and special eye treatments are usually an additional charge)
• Manicure and pedicure: $75 to $150
• Hair Styling: $50 to $200 and up
• Makeup application: $25 to $75

Rather than buy one service at a time, many people who attend a day spa buy special packages that include several treatments. This often enables them to experience more wellness benefits in the most cost-effective way. Packages can start with buying 1.5 or 3 hours of time for a few basic techniques or can go splurge on a full day of pampering, which can’t help but leave them completely refreshed. Some packages also include a snack or meal. Expect to pay more in this case. (Or at an upscale salon, you can often order healthful foods and drinks and pay ala carte.)

A spa package can start at $150 for two or more services and go up to about $450 for a few hours of special treatment. But if you can afford to stay all day, the prices can go as high as $750 or more for a full day filled with an array of indulgences and healing treatments that are sure to make you feel like a queen.

Extras to Consider

If you buy just one individual treatment or book the minimum spa package, understand that some of the more upscale facilities may also charge you a spa service fee to use the rest of the facility, such as the relaxation rooms, workout equipment, a sauna or indoor pool. This extra charge will usually be low (perhaps between $10 and $35). In addition, most spa services don’t include tips, so expect to add on a tip of about 20 percent unless it is automatically included in the basic charge. Tax is also charged on services.

The Ultimate in Indulgences

There are also some very exclusive options that are out of reach of most Americans, except for celebrities and the very wealthy. For instance, UMO American in Beverly Hills, Calif. uses 24 karat gold in its facial creams for its exclusive clientele, while Spa on Location in Santa Monica, Calif. makes house calls, complete with $1 million worth of loose diamonds that are used to massage the spine. These are just a few of the most extravagant spa treatments you can find in the country, and perhaps even the world. (Keep if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford them!)

A Budget-Conscious Route

If you can’t justify the expense of spending some time at a high-end spa but you are craving your own taste of relaxation, there is one other option to consider. You can look for a beauty school, spa training facility or massage training class in your area, where students may practice their skills on clients for less than you would pay at an established salon. This is a great way to pamper yourself and feel great without breaking the bank.