First time at a spa- what to expect?!

[peonyroseandaffs]

I've been invited to a spa day in a couple of weeks as a surprise for a friend's birthday.

It's 2pm-9pm and we get to have a facial or massage as part of the package.

I've never been to a spa before so have no idea what to expect. What do we do for 7 hours? And what do I wear / take with me?

Unless you're a keen swimmer you might find it helpful to take a book.

You'll have your treatment, break for lunch and try out all of the various rooms/experiences but there will still be down time. I like to read, my sister likes to people watch, my friend likes to swim.

Enjoy it!!

General lazing about, chatting.

Take a swimming costume for the pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi.

They’ll provide lovely towelling robes and slippers. You’ll spend much of the day in these.

Much relaxation. Wonderful!

They can be pretty boring really, for something that is supposed to be relaxing 😆

They should provide towels, robes and possibly slippers. Pack a swim costume/bikini.

Theres usually lots of different spa pools and a hydrotherapy type pool to go in, as well as saunas, steam rooms, heated tiled beds, maybe some other experience rooms too. Take your time enjoying all of these, go back to your favorites a second time. Take a book to lounge by a pool with, lots of spas have linger service for snacks and drinks. Will you be having a meal there?

But not a book you'd be upset if it got wet and ruined or was stolen. Won't it be rude to take a book with you to a group spa day?

For me, so so so boring. But I know others love it. But definitely take a book.

Me too, it's not how I'd choose to spend a day. I just don't get it!

I know, I hope no one ever gives me a voucher for a spa day, the waste of money would kill me

They vary a lot! Take swimwear, possibly two sets, take rubber bottomed flip flops if you have them if it's a cheaper spa (some charge you to buy/hire them), take a book/headphones and an audiobook.

You swim, jacuzzi, sauna and some have aromatherapy showers/rooms, different sauna types etc.

I like visiting them but not for that many hours, 3-4 hours is plenty

Gosh that's long, I love a spa (and am lucky enough to visit the one my friend manages quite often) but 4-5 hours including maybe 90 minutes of treatments would be about my limit.

Definitely take a book or a magazine, but if you're going as part of a group I'd expect you'll be chatting too.

Two sets of swimwear is a good tip! If you've swum and then had a massage it's a bit grim putting wet swimwear back on!

Otherwise just relax and enjoy it!

Oooh I love a spa day with friends.

Take a swimming costume or bikini, whichever you prefer.

You will have set times for your treatments (and food if that’s included), but outside of this you’re free to use whatever facilities they have. Different spas have different things, and some have more variety than others.

Mostly I just enjoy it as a great opportunity to catch up with friends and chat in a nice, relaxing environment.

Swimsuit and flip flops.
You should be able to swap wet towels and robes for dry ones.

Spare swimsuit is a good shout, nothing worse than lunch/dinner in a damp cossie.

The heated tiles loungers are divine.

Presumably there is afternoon tea or evening meal included. So you may spend time in a restaurant setting so check dresscode. Some will allow bathrobes and slippers/flipflops but not all. Take a change of swimwear if you plan to bathe then sit on loungers and read/chat/listen to phone. Toiletries so you can freshen up. There may be experience showers and rooms, relaxation suite away from pool area, whirlpool, sauna etc to while away the time.

Sounds fab! Which spa is it? They vary a lot!

Take two swimming cozzies and flip flops. I also take hair bands, lip salve and my kindle!

Some spas are basic and some have loads of relaxation rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, etc. The best ones have relaxation rooms where you can chill, sleep, etc.

If you are a group, be quiet. Nobody wants to hear women cackling and shouting in a spa. It's means to be zen-like.

Don't know how anyone can be bored at a spa! I love it. Snoozing, chatting, reading, swimming, nice lunch, facial, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna... what's not to like?

I must admit it doesn't sound like my type of thing to be honest but it's for a friends surprise birthday treat so I'm going for her.
I'm not loud but a few of the girls are naturally loud so not sure how that will go down if we are meant to be quiet. Her husband said there would be Prosecco so I imagined it more like a drinking day but I must be completely wrong 😂

The cafes at some spas serve Prosecco, but you can't take drinks in to the spa.

There will be other people there who have paid a lot to be there, so be considerate. It is a place to be quiet and relax, not chat and catch up.

I take an antihistamine before I go as the water makes my face itch and the humid atmosphere makes my hair itch.

Spare swimsuit.

I also take yoga pairs and a T-shirt to lunch in as the robes often have thick collars that I don't like.

Surprisingly I quite enjoy a spa day

2-9 is very long. Are you getting food? I would be done by about 5 or 6 even with a treatment involved.

The cafes at some spas serve Prosecco, but you can't take drinks in to the spa.

This depends on the spa. The one I visit serves lunch around the pool and you can have a glass of fizz there (but they wouldn't bring bottles out and let you go mad, it's a single glass per person with food).