Spa Etiquette 101

Almost all day spas in Orlando post their policies about payments, arrival times and other information about the spa experience on their website, or in their brochures.

It’s important to pay attention to general policies about cancellations and how much time you need to arrive before an appointment (especially if you’re a new client) so that you can make the most of your experience.

Here are some general spa etiquette rules for day spas around Orlando:

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Most day spas will have you fill out paperwork about your skin and general medical history information, and you will also need some time to get settle. Make sure you arrive as early as possible to your appointment so that you don’t cut into your treatment time.
• Turn off the cell phone or pager! Be respectful of other people and the serene environment by keeping cell phones and other gadgets turned off throughout your visit.
• Bring a swimsuit for hydrotherapy services. Hydrotherapy baths and some body treatments require you to wear a swimsuit, so make sure you pack something that you’re comfortable in.
• Pack a tote bag for a spa day. If you plan to spend a half day or full day at the spa, don’t assume that there will be a locker available for your belongings. Your best bet is to pack a tote bag with your personal items so you can move from room to room with ease.
• Give feedback to your therapist. Don’t be afraid to tell the therapist how the service is going, and if they need to lighten up on the pressure. Most treatments can be customized to your comfort level.
• Be prepared to tip. See How Much Should You Tip at the Spa? for a breakdown of what’s expected.
• Don’t drink before you head into a treatment. While some spas offer light wines and cocktails as part of the experience, you typically won’t be drinking until after the service is over. Avoid alcoholic beverages because these can interfere with your spa experience.
• Ask about add-on treatments before going into your service. If your therapist or skincare professional tries to upsell you during your service, you may not realize how much it will cost. Make sure you understand how the menu of services is laid out, or ask about the price of extra treatments, before it begins to avoid any surprises!
• Give honest feedback. If you enjoyed your service, make sure you let the therapist or skin care professional know, and also leave a few good words with the front desk. If there was something you didn’t like, ask to fill out a survey after the treatment is over so that you can express your concerns. If and when the poor service demands a refund, politely ask to speak with the spa manager to discuss what happened.

Going to the spa can be an enjoyable experience when you understand the basic rules about arrival times, upgrade options for services, and general policies.

Enjoy your time at the spa so you can just r-e-l-a-x with these essential tips.