What happens on a spa day?

[blubberball]

I've been lucky enough to have been gifted a spa day for a Christmas present. I'm excited to go, but a little nervous. I'll be going alone, and I've never been to a spa day before. Can anyone please let me know any tips, or etiquette I should know? What are the best treatments to get? What I should wear to the place etc. It's at a golf club/hotel place. Thanks

You usually put on your swimsuit and they give you a robe and slippers. Your day might include lunch and free soft drinks. The voucher usually tells you what you are entitled to - be careful cos the charges rack up - and for my free be I usually have a mini facial and a massage.
take a book with you and maybe headphones so you can listen to music while you sit by the pool.

Ooh, lucky you. Take a good book, swimming costume and some flip flops. Bath robes are usually provided, and there will be an option to get drinks or snacks. Enjoy!

How exciting. As you’re a complete beginner, I will break down how my previous spa days have gone, I’m sorry if it is patronising!
You can arrive from whatever time they specify. At reception, they will either hand you a robe and slippers there, or give you a locker key and your robe/slippers will be in the locker. They ought to show you to the changing rooms and possibly walk you round to see where everything is.
Get into your swimwear (if you are having body treatments, it’s an idea to wear a bikini and take a spare, or wear a swimsuit and a bikini to change into, so you don’t have to yank down a wet swimming costume before your massage!)
I tend to book the treatment for towards the end of the day. If there is a gym, I might use that first before getting swimwear on. If no gym, straight into the pool for a bit. Then I would mooch around between jacuzzi, sauna and steam room for a while, maybe with a little break on a lounger every so often. You could take a magazine or book/kindle and keep it in your robe pocket. When you go in the pool/sauna etc, there are usually hooks to hang your robe up on.
If there is food included, I would do the wet facilities up until lunch time.
Often spas will let you stay in your robe for lunch/afternoon tea, but double check. Also check in advance if you need to pre-order food.
After food, I tend to have my treatment. Maybe have a little bit of time in the relaxation room beforehand to let food go down. Just before the start of your treatment time, you go along to where the treatments are done and they will call your name. You’ll go into the room with them, they’ll get you settled and then leave the room while you get top half uncovered (if a massage or body scrub), then come back in for your treatment.
After the treatment, I then go and have a lay down in the relaxation room, before going to get showered and dressed to go home.

Does your spa day include treatments? Often the packages offer one 60 minute treatments, or two 30 min treatments. Find out what’s on offer. I tend to like doing a 30 min massage and a 30 min facial, as I get a bit bored having a whole hour on the same thing!

enjoy!

You’re usually given a towel to use as well!

Very helpful thread!

Ooh amazing. I love a good spa day! My tips would be:

Take flip flops incase they don't give you slippers. Check they will give you a robe.

Take a book and headphones with music if you like

Take a spare swim set. That way you don't have to sit in wet items at lunch. A good spa will let you change your robe if wet.

Book massage at end and not too close after lunch as it may make you feel
Sick of you have just eaten.

If there is a slumber room (yes please!) take earplug as annoyingly some people do snore!

Have a cheeky glass of wine at lunch!

Enjoy!

Usually you are allowed to use the facilities either all day or for a set period of time. You can use the gym, pool, showers, sauna etc. You will have an allotted time for your treatment so you may want to use the gym and pool before then. I usually then gave a shower before my massage so I am clean and dry. You would usually wear knickers only for the massage so if you have a robe (usually provided) just wear knickers underneath then you can get dressed again after.

Check your voucher for what us included. Usually food or at least a drink would be included.

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful

Just to say, if it’s quite a drive, try and get someone to take you and pick you up. Once had a lovely spa day ruined by horrendous drive home afterwards when all I wanted to do was sleep as I was so relaxed.

Check wether you have to pay extra to hire a time and towels. Some do and some don't. It you can take your own. I was horrified at the idea of having a posh lunch in a dressing gown. But everyone does it!

Yes agree it can make you very tired afterwards. The spa I go to has a 'slumber lounge' I decided I wasn't going to waste my time sleeping. I couldn't keep my eyes open!

Bring your swimming costume, book/magazine etc, sometimes a little makeup bag is handy to put bits and bobs in.

When you arrive they will give you a robe and show you around.

Take a couple of towels and you can usually relax by the pool. I have a system where I swim first, then go in steam, then sauna (to dry me off), then lounge around until treatment. After treatment and you have the nice oils on i wouldn't want to wash them away.

Lots of people go by themselves by the way, you won't feel unusual at all

@NameIsBryceQuinlan do you to a cold shower after the sauna or just a warm one? Sometimes I brave cold but imagine it to be more harsh after drying off in the sauna!

@Cococomelon
Oh I definately don't! I hate freezing water. No whim Hoff for me!

I've been to two very different spas several times and say this

Arrive in gym clothes and Do gym class first. Have good explore too.

Take two swim suits so a dry one for after lunch and flip flops.
Do a treatment in the afternoon
If you go in the slumber lounge set an alarm so you don't sleepy for three hours- it's an expensive nap!

If they offer an upgrade to a hot stone massage for a few pounds it's worth it!

Some don't allow phones around the pool so take an actual book. Take a water bottle. Keep hydrated.

The post spa glow is great so I take a nice dress for after but joggers are fine too!

Have a lovely time, OP.