Most people view a spa visit or a salon treatment as a bit of a treat, especially if they are going for a pampering massage or body treatment rather than a straightforward leg wax which can’t be described as relaxing by any stretch of the imagination!
The ‘luxury’ element of a spa break, and to a certain extent a salon visit too, means that you don’t really want to opt for a ‘budget’ treatment – let’s face it, who wants to go to a ‘no frills’ spa? You want the experience and to feel a little bit spoiled. But there are sneaky ways to make your pennies stretch further.
Mid Week Breaks
Most spas have special offers for mid-week stays, mainly because most people like to go at the weekend, for long weekends or overnight on a Friday and Saturday. Spas know this, and so they often have spaces to fill during the week. Look at spa websites, especially the larger, better known spas, and check out their special offers. You’re bound to be able to get in for cheaper if you’re flexible on which night(s) of the week you stay.
Most of the deals will also include a set menu of treatment options in the price, so you could end up with unlimited use of the pools and wet rooms, a facial and a massage treatment all thrown in. You’ll often get unlimited gym use as well, and the food is generally part of the deal. Check the terms and conditions when you book, just so that you know exactly what to expect, and there are no nasty surprises.
The beauty of one of these mid-week deals is that you can add on as many extras as you like too. So you can have a straightforward massage, but choose to add in a Reiki session to complement your free yoga class.
Phone a Friend
Another common spa deal is the ‘take a friend for free’ option. Again, this is usually mid-week, and often at times when spa take up is quite low. If you’re flexible, and have a willing accomplice, you can grab good deals by splitting the cost of a midweek stay with a good friend. You’ll probably end up having to share a room, so make sure that it’s a friend you know well!
Get a Room
Many hotels are getting in on the beauty act these days, and it’s rare to find a large, or chain hotel without some kind of spa facility. It probably won’t be as upmarket as a dedicated spa, but if you really just fancy lounging around in a pool and maybe having a facial, search for a hotel with a spa on one of the last minute accommodation websites, and find a cheap room.
You can make up for the amount of money you’ve saved on booking a room in an actual spa, and spend the cash on pampering yourself with upmarket treatments. Most hotel spas will use the same cosmetic brands as the big, dedicated spas and salons, so your treatment will be just as good, it’s just the room you’ll be downsizing.
Practice Makes Perfect
All spa and salon therapists have to learn their trade somewhere, and there are colleges up and down the country that teach beauty therapy. This means that if you really are strapped for cash but you fancy a cheap leg wax, body massage or beauty treatment, if you’re willing to forego some of the trimmings, scented salon surroundings or kudos of the upmarket spa visit you could bag a professional treatment at a bargain price.
Check your local colleges to see if they offer treatments by trainee therapists, and you could get an absolute bargain.
