Is it nice to go to a spa?

[ReturnofPrincessOzma]

I mean, I get that the concept of it is supposed to be a Nice Thing.

But I’m awkward. I can deal with the hairdressers and getting my brows seen to, but will I feel nice on a solo spa day or will I feel like I’ve just pissed £125 up the wall?

I’m asking because it’s my birthday soon and I have a day to ‘do something’. I like being by myself, no issue there. I don’t like shopping with friends so I don’t think I’d like someone in a spa with me. DP cannot get out of working all weekend, we will ‘do something’ together the weekend after.

I HATE the word ‘pamper’ but it’s probably quite a nice thing isn’t it? I was thinking of having a long massage (do you have to be naked and will they try and small talk with you while they do it?)

Do you find it’s easy to switch off and relax during this or do you find yourself thinking about the chicken you should have put in the freezer and now will have to cook later so it doesn’t go off?

If you have a facial do they try and tell you you’ve got skin problems that require the purchase of their expensive products?

Can I have wine? If I do have a large wine will I look like a lush, or is it generally a juice or horrid herbal tea affair? I can’t imagine where the bar would be in these places.

What do you ‘do’ at the spa after? Just lounge about, have a little swim? Read a book? Do people think it’s sad if you’re on your own and try and hang out with you? Will there be kiddies making a racket in the pool? (I don’t think so on this one but some of the spas are in health clubs which I think are posh gyms so I suppose they might be around)

Do you eat lunch? (I’m presuming you don’t take sandwiches) or do they just have fruit platters? Or kale?

Are you supposed to feel all steamed and cleaned and zen after? What do you do then, go home and have a little sleep or just carry on with the rest of the day?

Do they give you a dressing gown and slippers and a towel??

I don’t know how you are supppsed to know all these things

Take a book with you. Then you can read it, or pretend to, and be blissfully ignored. I get everything you’ve said. A book is you friend.

Have a look on groupon, loads of Spa deals. I take a book or stack of magazines. Use the sauna/steam room, jacuzzi and then sit by the pool and relax.
They usually tell you if robes & slippers are included.

It does depend on the spa but there are plenty of places you can go where you can have wine and eat well. Loads of women go by themselves. They do give you a gown and slippers. There's usually a pool and somewhere to relax. In my experience they don't push products on you but again it depends where you go.

I always go on my own and no one has ever tried to talk to me. I do usually take a book to read over lunch and when I want to lounge about. I mostly just swim and sit in the hot tub and lie on the heated ceramic loungers (those are my favourite things in the world), because I am weird about people touching my face and neck so I wouldn't enjoy a massage or a facial.

You can definitely drink wine (there are one or two super-old-fashioned spas which don't serve alcohol, so check before you book) and no one will think anything of it. Everyone is there to relax and they aren't judgey places at all in my experience.

Check with the place you have in mind, but most proper spas are no-kids and they will also usually have proper food for lunch. Lots of places offer a day package, including lunch and a treatment, or more elaborate packages with more treatments, and maybe prosecco or afternoon tea or whatever as well. Do some research about places near you and you'll find something to suit, I'm sure!

I love spas agree bring a book and wine is fine!
Research your spa properly!!!!
Not all spas are made equal...

Yes they are, in my humble experience, lovely.
Food is usually for sale or part of the deal, every spa I have been to offers cake, wine as well as very healthy options. You are likely to see people having both.
Kids only likely if spa deal is at a hotel where they have access to the pool same time as spa guests.
Not at all odd to go on your own
I'm very very bad at switching off, but I do at a spa as I know I've paid a lot to be there and well, it is the point of it.
Every time I have been I have come away very relaxed, possibly with the exception of hen do affairs where I've felt the need to make small talk and get to know people
No small talk during massages in my experience, more likely with manicures I think.
I don't see how anyone can know this stuff without going to spas, why would you.
All in all I love a spa, perhaps it's because it's such a rare and indulgent treat.
Hope you have a lovely time

I love a spa day and I’m generally an awkward person all-round, so I have faith in you!

Do you have to be naked? And will they try to make small talk?

In every UK spa I’ve been to, I’ve taken everything off except knickers. Once abroad I was asked to get fully naked but it’s not the norm in the UK places I’ve been. The massage therapist will leave the room while you get undressed/ redressed, and will hold a towel up when they need you to roll over, so you still have privacy.

I’ve had a lot of massages and only once has someone tried to make small talk with me. If they try it, just say you’d rather not chat.

Do you find it’s easy to switch off and relax?

I always end up thinking about really weird stuff (no chicken yet though!) but I generally find it difficult to relax. It still feels lovely though and I’m always disappointed when it ends.

Can I have wine?

Depends on the spa. I think most places recommend you don’t drink after a massage but when I was in America, they gave me a glass of champagne and it went right to my head. I don’t like all that herbal tea stuff so I usually just have water, although sometimes there’s fruit juice too.

What do you do after?

Have a little swim, get in the hot tub, try out the sauna/ steam room, lie on a lounger and read. Some places have kids splashing about but other places are strictly adults-only. Again, it depends on the spa. A lot of people will be on their own- it’s definitely not seen as sad!

Do you eat lunch?

A lot of spa day packages will include lunch. Usually something like a salad or a chicken wrap. Healthy kind of stuff (kale may be included!)

Do you feel zen after? Do you just go home?

I’m not sure I feel zen but yes, I just go home and chill for the rest of the day. Kind of spoils it if I get home and end up rushing around doing loads of chores. Try to pick a day where you can spend the evening doing relaxing stuff.

Do they give you dressing gown and slippers and a towel?

Yes- it’s usually in your locker.

Most spa staff are really helpful because they’re used to people who have never been. Just explain you don’t really know what to expect and they’ll go through it all with you.

Spa days are one of my favourite indulgences, so I hope you love it!

What general area of the country are you OP? People may be able to recommend a spa for you

I went to a spa recently. Spent a few hours there. No small talk during massage and facial and was lovely and relaxing. Magazines provided and access to drinks but only green tea or water with lemon! I went with a friend but going alone wouldn’t be unusual. Give it a try. If it’s not for you then nothing lost.

I love soaps. Bring a spare swimming costume. It’s nasty putting on a damp one. Bring your own flip flops too. Spas provide a robe. Bring lip balm, a scrinchie, a watch so you can keep track of time, and a kindle.

No kids in any spas I have gone to.

All spas will have FAQs on their website, tho.

Massage - no, you are covered by a towel, all apart from the bit that is being massaged. Masseur will take their lead from you and will talk/be quiet.

They recommend products they use on you to buy. But there is no hard sell. Tbh, the best skin thing I ever bought was from a spa and was really expensive!

Lunch is included. There is often a bar on site, but drinking is discouraged if you’re having treatments. Except water - drink lots of water after a treatment!

Look at the spa website and see what it says. Enjoy!

Soaps = spas!

Go to Ragdale Hall. It's amazing.

I love the spa. They don't talk to you while you have a massage it would defeat the whole point.
They don't allow kids.
You don't usually have to have a treatment.
With facials they probably will try and sell you stuff but you don't have to buy.
There tend to be different rooms, steam rooms, sauna that kind of thing. Look at different spas compare prices and try to go to one with lots of different rooms, unless you get a deal treatments aren't usually included. They won't think you are sad, a few people go in their own to relax, just tale a book. There is usually food but it is health food although you can usually get wine/champagne.
Is there a Center Parcs near you with a spa, they are really good.

Love this op. You have asked almost all of the questions I struggle with when even contemplating going to a spa. I can’t even imagine enjoying any of it (other than a massage and I get those every now and then anyway). Seems like a huge faff, a load of money I’d prefer to spend other ways and I have to admit I always think spas seem dirty and shabby (not fond of public swimming pools).
Watching answers but not sure I’ll ever be convinced.

Ah thanks everyone!!

I’m feeling more reassured.

Duck thanks so much for answering those specifics for me

Memories I’m in London but will be in Norwich on the spa day as I’m visiting family for the weekend who all still love there. I’m going to insist I do something on my own during the day before a meal in the evening although it’ll just be three of us as everyone else has cleared off to Centre Parcs for the weekend

I recently went on my first spa day and was very surprised to find I enjoyed it. I'm fat and very self concious but found once I was there I just relaxed....had a full body massage and facial, and the staff did everything to make me feel comfortable. They gave me a list of the products they used and some advice on skin care, but no hard sell. Lunch was included in my spa day and there was a range of things to pick from. It was expensive and seemed almost wasteful beforehand, but once there it was worth every penny.

Hi muddling - sounds good - I make just have to think again !

My DH booked a spa day for me as I was feeling very low following a nasty miscarriage and was having to face returning to work. I was a bit shocked as he knew I would be very self conscious. He had booked me a full body massage, facial and manicure/pedicure. I forced myself to go because it was a lovely gesture and also because he had spent a lot of money! I had the most lovely day ever. I wasn't in the mood for chatting to people so took a book with me. Just having some time on my own to think and just get my thoughts in order without people who meant well constantly fussing around me did me wonders.

I've treated myself at the same spa every year since - so 19 times now!! Only difference is I now go with a friend. It's our treat for being fabulous (well that's what we keep telling ourselves!)😀

Icequeen that sounds really lovely

One of the things I genuinely love about a spa day is being reminded how many different shapes and sizes people are, and whatever size and shape you are it's perfectly fine to wander round in your swimsuit. Again, like I said earlier, in my experience they are very non-judgey places.

The Aqua Sana spa at Centre Parcs in Thetford forest is AMAZING! One of the best I have been to and I love a spa