Culture clash
If you’re going abroad, there can be huge cultural differences to contend with, too. ‘You may be able to get the authentic version of the Thai, native American or ayurvedic treatments that five-star spas mimic,’ says Suzanne Duckett, author of the Spa Directory, ‘but it can be a case of Eastern promise, Western expectations. You might be dismayed, for example, that the therapists chat together in the their own language during your treatment or your foot bath isn’t full of red rose petals like it was in the picture. Choosing which spa to visit is like choosing a restaurant – sometimes cheap works, but you only get all the luxurious Western-style treatment in the international, top-dollar resorts.
It will feel very obvious to you when you walk into a bad spa – you get the same feeling as when you walk into a bad hotel or restaurant. Signs of good spa are presentable girls with tied-back hair and not too much make-up and a clean, fresh reception area. Ask for a tour of the facilities before you have your treatment – it’s much easier to walk out with your clothes on than in a dressing gown.’
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