What I Look for in a Spa

Being a spa reviewer, I've had the luxury of traveling everywhere, from world-class resorts to hole-in-the-wall massage and skincare studios. I still maintain that the smaller and more intimate/personalized the attention, the better your experience will be. I remember being at a five-star resort (which I shall not name) and suffering in the waiting room with about 20 other very loquacious women. Having that many people around is definitely not amenable to relaxing, especially if you can hear some f 'em yapping away outside your treatment door when you're just trying to enjoy your Vichy shower or body scrub. Also, the idea of a luxury spa is just not very practical. It's an indulgence, which is fine, but I prefer affordable pampering. Smaller massage and skincare studios tend to be way more affordable. Sure, you might not get all the fluffy amenities, but some of the best treatments I've ever gotten have come from people who took the time to get to know my skin or particular aches and pains, rather than just get the therapy over with so they could attend to the next sheep...er, I mean client. Plus, smaller establishments tend to be more down to earth, with better customer service overall.

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