A Way to Spa, Despite Economic Woes

Facials, massages and manicures are not at the top of the list when gas prices are soaring and the economy is falling. There is, however, a way to get around the expensive of a destination spa vacation, without actually having to go away.

Destination Spa - Image: Colleen Coplick on Flickr

While this certainly won’t apply to everyone, primarily due to geography, many of the destination spas offer the use of their facilities with just one treatment. If you can’t afford an overnight stay or a weekend, book a massage, a facial or a scrub at a destination spa, and take advantage of their pool, steam room, sauna and other lovely amenities.

NBC News did an article about this very thing, and found that the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, located not far from Los Angeles, offers their guests use if the facilities. A destination spa known for it’s lavender gardens and approach that draws on Native American traditions, can make guests feel like they’re on a mini-vacation just by spending an hour or three at the spa.

As for other spas offering similar money-saving options, the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC with 50 minute massages available rather than more expensive 80 minute massages, where they used to begin. The Cliff House Resort in Maine is offering a spa sampler on Sundays for $99.

Other tips for finding luxury spa experiences without the luxury price include booking treatments on Monday through Wednesday, when the spas are typically quieter or asking about any specials they have going on, like mother-daughter discounts for the spring season. Many spas have them if you ask, but always talk about them.

Also, take a look at some of the closer-to-home destination spas. For example, the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa is a luxury lakeside hotel located in Kirkland WA, just a few minutes outside of Seattle. On a Friday afternoon at 3pm, normally the beginning of rush hour, it took me less than 20 minutes to get from downtown Seattle to Kirkland.

The Woodmark is a gorgeous retreat-like space, with large suites, beautiful lake views, sweeping staircases and a gorgeous spa. Despite being only 15 minutes outside of the centre of the city, I could have been hours away from the city.

Take a look around, just outside your city, and see what you can find. Even just a quick drive can yield some hidden gems, that won’t cost a fortune.