Here at WaySpa, we live and breathe spas. We’re all about spreading the wellness gospel because going to a spa can benefit your mind, body, and soul.
Caring for yourself at a spa can help reduce your chance of illness and add years to your life. But you might not even know what a spa is (we get it!) and need an introduction to the world of wellness.
Spa Defined
Spas are defined as places dedicated to promoting wellness and healing the body through massage, facials, and other types of treatments.
They can vary from locations where you receive a basic experience like a massage to a destination where you enjoy the benefits of spa and wellness for days and weeks at a time.
Types of Spas
The most basic spas usually focus on a single type of treatment. For example, barebones massage facilities focus on just the massage. That way, they keep costs down and pass those savings onto you.
They often reflect spas found in Thailand with curtained-off areas or small rooms meant for massages.
There are similar places designed for facials, although the rooms would look different. They are meant for regular use and are typically more affordable.
Day spas offer the same treatments as these smaller spas but have a more extensive menu of treatments. You can get multiple services here like a massage, facial or scrubs.
They also often have extras like spa showers, hot tubs, and saunas. So you might spend a few hours longer than just your treatment making use of all the extra amenities.
Destination spas expand on the day spa experience by making it a multi-day wellness fest. While your visit might include lots of treatments, you could also join an exercise class, explore a hike, and partake in adventure activities.
The types of destination spas vary from place to place because they are designed to fully use the location they are in—embracing nature and the area’s beauty.
Spa Treatments—What to Expect
Going to a spa for the first time can be confusing. You might be unsure how much to undress or where to keep your stuff. Or you could be unsure about tipping after your treatment.
That’s why we’ve catalogued simple how-tos for different types of treatments on our blog here.
What to Expect During a Facial?
Skincare regimens are personal, and we all have individual reasons for turning to professionals while on our quest for a luminous complexion.
Perhaps we want to slow down the signs of aging or tackle an acne outbreak. Maybe it’s just to feel downright pampered. For those new to the spa scene, here’s everything you need to know about your first facial skincare treatment.
Six Tips for a Stress-Free First-Time Massage
Going to get a massage crosses your mind frequently. You may even have a gift card. And now you’ve finally booked that appointment for a bit of me-time (hooray!).
As your spa day approaches, these six touch points will help first-time visitors have the ultimate relaxing massage experience.
Nail Salon 101: Manicures & Pedicures
Healthy nails and feet are the cornerstones of spa culture. Whether you just want basic grooming and polish or want to go all out with 3D art and gradients, manicures and pedicures are an affordable gift for everyone – including yourself.
WaySpa, Defined
Now that you know what a spa is, you might be interested in giving one a try. You’ve come to the right place!
WaySpa is a site dedicated to finding you the best spa for you. While we love to promote spas and wellness through our WaySpa Gift Card, we also pride ourselves on offering the best collection of spas across Canada.
Simply use our search feature to find a spa or treatment near you and call to book an appointment. Get excited—your world is about to be turned upside down in terms of health, wellness, and overall happiness.
What is a WaySpa Gift Card?
A WaySpa Gift Card is a universal gift card designed to be used at thousands of spas across the country. The gift cards can be used for a wide variety of treatments, including salon services, spa services, and yoga classes.
The WaySpa Gift Card makes an excellent gift for anyone on your list, and it’s perfect for last-minute gift giving since cards can be purchased on our website and immediately emailed to the recipient.
You can also purchase our Gift Cards at many retail locations like grocery stores and Costco. It’s a perfect gift to stock up on for last-minute birthdays, holidays, and hostess gifts.
How Do You Redeem a WaySpa Gift Card
You have the gift card; now, how do you use it? Go to wayspa.com and browse the spas in whatever area you choose. You can search by spa or treatment type depending on what you are looking for.
Peruse the spas and decide on which one you’d like to go to. On the spa’s WaySpa profile, double-check that they accept WaySpa gift cards and for what services – a small percentage have different policies. Be sure to check their profile.
Book an appointment with the spa for your desired treatment. While on the phone, mention you’d like to use a WaySpa Gift Card. It’s always good to give the business a heads-up in case their policies have changed.
If your treatment is more than your WaySpa Gift Card, then you can simply pay the difference. If it is less, then the spa will issue you a credit for their location. Or, inquire about the spa’s tipping policy—some spas allow tips to be covered by a WaySpa Gift Card.
Make Spa Part of Your Routine
Spas are luxurious but participating in spa and wellness treatments is essential for your overall health and wellbeing. Regular treatments can help improve the look of your skin and help with muscle recovery after a workout and reduce your overall stress.
While some spas are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, taking time out for you and your well-being should be on the top of your list.
The best way to make wellness part of your regular day-to-day is to book an appointment today. So take the plunge (maybe into a hot tub or, for the brave, a cold tank@) and choose a treatment you’ve always been curious to try.
It could start a long love affair with spas, wellness, and living with less stress and more happiness.
Elements adapted from Spafinder.com