Spa Classification

Spas are classified into different form according to the accommodation and services offered. The spa classification also shows light differences among countries.

Spas are classified into categories such as day spas, resort spas and destination spas, among others.

However, the main spa types are the following:

Day Spa

A Day Spa is any spa where you stay for a day, half day or an hour. A Day Spa is different to a Hotel or Resort Spa because they do not offer overnight accommodation. A Day Spa is a very frequented spa for those wishing a short pampering time.

A Day Spa is wholly dedicated to health, beauty and wellbeing. A Day Spa offers from single services like a facial or massage to full day or half day services including facials, beauty & body treatment, baths, massages, hair & beauty salons, health and wellness services, and in some cases also includes fitness or personal training programs.

Resort Spa/Hotel Spa

It includes hotels and vacation resorts with all the usual facilities. Remember that primary focus is accomodation, then wellbeing and spa services. At some Resort Spa specific activities are offered, such as Golf, for instance. Hotels, resorts, all-inclusive hotels, villages, country clubs and inns are into this category, when they offer spa facilities.

A Resort spa or Hotel Spa usually has a spa which include a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi plus treatment rooms where individual treatments such as facials, body & beauty treatment and massages are administered by therapists.

Destination Spa

A Destination Spa is a facililty totally oriented to the Spa experience. Besides the usual treatments (facial, beauty, body, baths, massage, etc) they also offer health food, nutrition and weight loss treatments, detox programs, fitness programs and wellness education and consultation, focusing on health and well-being.

Wellness Center Spa

A wellness center spa is focused on people interested to learn about health, diseases and healthy lifestyles. A wellness center spa offers traditional spa treatments to nourish body, mind and soul, but combined with physical activities. In a wellness center spa you may find other physical activities like yoga, hiking, mountain climbing, kayak or river rafting.

Health Spa

A Health Spa (also called Health Farm in UK) offers similar facilities as an hotel, but focusing on beauty, nutrition, fitness and health. Healthy food and beverages are available.

A Health Spa is wholly dedicated to health, beauty and wellbeing through different services and treatments. It may include traditional health services, healing services, holistic treatments, medical clinics and services through mineral, thermal or sea water. Detoxing, relaxation and weight loss services may also be offered.

Pamper Spa

A Pamper Spa (a term used in european countries) offers stress relieving treatments, indulgence and relaxation.

Club Spa

A Club Spa is a fitness location with spa facilities into their range of services, usually with membership. Includes any health club, gym or leisure services into a spa area.

Therapeutic Spa

A Therapeutic Spa offers therapeutic services for the mind or body. A Thearpeutic Spa usually includes thalassotherapy spas, mineral water springs and medical clinics services.

Holistic Spa

An Holistic Spa offer traditional well-being services focusing on beauty and health therapies for body and soul. Search of life balance is where an holistic spa concentrates, rooted in Eastern healing arts, mainly the so-called old Chinese medicine. A holistic spa offer the spa-goer healing and harmony for body and mind. Natual herbs, minerals and oils are the base of treatments into an Holistic spa. Shiatsu massages, accupressure and aromatherapy are examples of services offered at an Holistic spa.

Medical Spa

A Medical Spa offers wellness treatments under the direction of a medical doctor and usually includes medical services such as nutritionist, sports medicine, physical therapy, nursing practitioners, etc. It mixes common spa services with additional health therapies and health treatments. For individuals or groups.

Cruise Spa

A Cruise Spa is a cruise ship with a spa center inside the ship. Usually offers profesionally spa treatments, fitness and wellness services, and in certain cases cruises spa offer healthy food from the spa cuisine.

Mobile Spa

Mobile day spa offers same services than a day spa but at your doorstep. You may arrange for a mobile spa to deliver full scale spa treatments at your home or office with the main basic treatments and same results.

Real Estate Spa

Real estate developers are adding spas to new developments as most people are looking for health, beauty and wellness, but at home. The concept of spa lifestyle communities have been springing up rapidly across the country in recent years. Most of them are second-home condos at destination resorts. As an example, Miraval and Canyon Ranch are creating condominium projects in major cities to help foster a balanced urban life dedicated to wellness and healthy living. That is the concept of spadominiums and how the word was coined.

Experience the own spa at condo complex!! Heaven for spa lovers and a way to feel unique, the concept of the spadominium is coming to reality.