First ever spa day

[Geraldneedsasecondclassstamp]

My friend has booked a spa day for us both next month and I haven't a clue what to expect/bring. It's just for the day, not overnight. I know that we will both be getting a massage and a facial and then afternoon tea. We have full use of the facilities.

I honest haven't a clue. I've never even had a massage except from my husband. Worried it'll hurt and I won't be able to relax!

What do I bring? I like to swim and there's a pool so I thought I could have a swim before the massage. Do I bring a hairdryer and my straighteners? I know they provide a bathrobe and slippers. What if the robe doesn't fit me? Do you get undressed for the massage? I don't know what's best to wear. I'm normally in jumpsuits every day and dresses and cardigans for work/occasions.

So many questions!

Take flip flops.

You mostly walk around in swimmers and dressing gown so I always take a second set to put on after things like a massage (cold wet swimmers are horrible to get back into!) . People even go to lunch in them at the ones I have been to.

My mum is a size 20 and the dressing gown fitted her. I think you can also ask for bigger at some spas. You can change the dressing gown and towels usually during the day. They get cold and damp!

I always wear a pair of clean knickers and my dressing gown for a massage.

A water bottle is handy for the water fountains.

Take something to read.

The ones I have been to have showering toiletries, but I use a specific shampoo so take that with me. They usually have hair dryers. Not noticed straighteners.

Remember to relax 😎.

Oh fab OP enjoy it!

Go in comfy clothes (joggers and top)and take a costume for an and spare for later on so you don't have to out a wet one back on.

Depends where you go and if you are very small or large you might find the robe doesn't fit but I'm a size 18 and it was fines

For the massage wear a dry bikini and robe or clothes - they should offer paper pants. You need to undress to the waist for a back massage and fully for a whole body but they keep you covered up with towels.

They will give instructions and ask you to lay face down and cover your self with a towel/ blanket they leave the room when you get undressed and come back in hence you are under the towel/ blanket They should offer soft medium or firm massage, if not ask.

There is usually a hair dryer and shampoo etc there. I usually take a nicer outfit to wear on way home but joggers are fine too.!

Oh and like after swimming take something easy to wear when you are changing to go home. Nothing worse than trying to wrestle into clothes after swimming!

Yes flip flops @BloddersMum

The ones I've been to have all had a room full of hairdryers and straighteners.

Take 2 swimming costumes.

The towelling dressing gowns they give you are always enormous. Like XXL or something.

The shower gel and shampoo have always been supplied and very posh brands.

Have a look on the spas website and Instagram, that’ll tell you lots about the facilities (straighteners etc)

@cherrypickles has nailed the massage routine!
Dont be afraid to tell them it’s your first massage and you don’t k ow what pressure you’d prefer, they’ll know to be gentler and will ask throughout - if you don’t like the pressure, tell them!

Robes normally fit me now at a size 20/22 but if not I either ask for a bigger one or wear it open (which I normally prefer anyway)

Bring a book!

And relax, enjoy it

Thank you all. I'm a size 18 so that's reassuring. I wouldn't have even thought about a second swimming costume! I only have the one.

If I'm having a swim before going for a massage what should I put on afterwards? Either a second dry swimming costume under my robe? Or just something easy to take off again when it's time for the massage?

I think at this spa everyone just wanders about with their robes on. Swimming costume underneath? They provide slippers- should I still take flip flops?

I always just stay in one swimsuit, I wouldn't even think to bring a second tbh. If you're cold getting back into it then just get into the jacuzzi to warm up.

Definitley take flip-flops for pool side and in the changing rooms/showers.

I tend to have a facial towards the end of the day, if you have it early then you'll want to avoid getting your face wet for a while afterwards as you'll probably be quite product heavy still.

You'll be fine in a robe I think, but if you're not comfortable then ask reception for any larger sizes - I've seen huge blokes in them safely tied up so they'll likely have size options if needed

I only take one swimsuit too so I wouldn't bother buying a second one OP if you only have one.

I have a massage either just in my knickers or if I've already been in the pool I wear my swimsuit but roll it down to my waist. They are very good at covering you up and only uncovering the bit they are massaging at the time e.g at mine they usually uncover one of your legs and massage it then cover you back up with the towels and move on to the other leg.

Flip flops are useful for by the pool and in the showers and every spa I've been to has supplied shampoo and hairdryers. Most also provide straighteners.

People spend most of their time in swimsuits and robes (including at lunch) unless they prefer to change (I do as I don't like sitting in my robe in the restaurant but my sister loves that bit.)

I just take comfy clothes to go home in. Joggers, flip flops and a jumper or leggings and a long sleeved top.

Normally when I go to the spa I go to the pool before and then go back to the changing room before my treatment to change into an easy to put on pair of shorts and t-shirt under my robe although the friends that I go with tend to just wear their underwear under their robes (we never use the pool after treatment as we tend to have products on our skin).

You should be fine with the robe they tend to be roomy. There is normally a hairdryer provided and some spas have straightners. I tend to put a comb into the pocket of my robe as often after your treatment you are taken to a relaxation room and my hair looks that of a scarecrow normally after a treatment.

Yes op. Take flip flops, you don’t really want to wear slippers to the pool. They will get yucky. Personally I get dried and changed for a treatment. I’d do the swim first, not after the massage and facial

it really depends on where it is, I took my daughter to one in dec and two men came into the bar area (where they also serve food) in their dressing gowns straight from the spa,and were asked to leave and get dressed

i dint think you need a second swim suit. Shorts, joggers, and t shirt will be fine going for your massage.

Thanks for the advice. I've got a massage followed by a facial, with time beforehand for a swim etc.

Do you not get cold floating about with the wet costume under your robe?

Apparently lots of people have their afternoon tea (booked for after the massage and facial) in their robes. Are they all in swimming costumes underneath?

😂 I'm so in over my head!

Thanks I'll probably do this, just wear comfortable clothes after the swim.

I don't even own flip flops! My scruffy crocs are probably a bit embarrassing 😳

You shouldn't get cold, every spa I've been to has been really quite warm. They often have relaxation rooms with blankets too, if you fancy a snooze or just want to bundle up for a bit.

The spas website might have a "how to spa" guide or similar. They'll also tell you if you need to get dressed for tea, but every place I've been to its been totally normal to wear your robe to eat.

Enjoy - you'll be absolutely fine once you're there.

@Geraldneedsasecondclassstamp you'll defo need this spa day after all the stressing about it😂

@Rosecoffeecup

They have rooms to nap in?! 😯

Can you tell I'm an over thinker? 😂

Get so stressed about new places and when I don't know the lay of the land

I do swim and jacuzzi, loaf about a bit, dry off on put on joggers and t shirt, massage, lunch (I don't like robe a lunchtime my friend loves it!)

Nap room to digest (set alarm my colleague had a two hour nam once)

Second costume swim on and jacuzzi

Prosecco

Shower and dresses and hair wash and then home!

Or something like that! X

Something worth mentioning - do not feel obliged to talk during your massage. You don’t have to make small talk or feel awkward during the quiet. It’s about relaxation, not a social event.

This sounds fab! I'm quite excited now.

Think I'd better buy some flip flops though

Oh, thank goodness. I can't even bear it at the hairdressers!

They don’t expect a chat. In fact, I think they often prefer not to.

After your massage, you’ll be taken to a relaxation room to rest. Go with it and don’t overthink things, literally just relax.

I take a hair mask or conditioner to use in the sauna!

I think most who stay in robes do change into a dry bikini/swimsuit and dry robes.

I once only got offered one robe and it was a horrible feeling.

Swim before any treatment, your skin will have still a good layer of product on it and it's a waste to shower and get clorine on it.

I personally prefer to eat in comfortable clothes, jogging/leggings and sweater. You could also wear knickers and vest under a dry robe if you are able to change them.

Do check the rules about phones, some forbid them in communal areas, others ask you to keep them in your bag.

Check if you need a coin for a locker.

@reluctantbrit

Thanks for the tip about the locker!