Spas then were also defined by
their sparse cuisine, grueling reg-
imen of calisthenics and rough
personal services. Mineral baths,
such as those in the Mt. Clemens
area, pre-dated Rancho La Puer-
ta but did not have the same full-
service amenities.
A focus on health and well-be-
ing over the past 18 years has
caused the number of spas to rise
to its current number of 250.
"When people are considering
a spa, they have made a decision
that they want to have a healthy,
active vacation," said Katie Gar
ber, spokesperson for the Canyon
Ranch, a famous spa with loca-
tions in Tuscon, Ariz., and Lenox,
Mass.
The demographic of the spa
guest has also changed. Once a
haven for the movie star with a
seven- or eight-figure salary, the
spas now appeal to a wider range
of people.
"We still get more women than
men," Ms. Garber said. "But we
also see everybody over the age
of 14."
With the wider audience
comes a wider range of interests.
Spa owners have added to the
traditional massage treatments
and facials to include Tai Chi
movement classes, rock climb-
ing, meditation and aromather-
apy.

"Our clients are telling us they
want balance in their lives," said
Frank Van Putten, owner of Spa
Finders, a spa travel agency.
"They want to be valued, nur-
tured and they want to give at-
tention to areas that they feel
they are lacking — especially
spiritually. City dwellers want to
commune with nature. And edu-
cated travelers are deciding they
want to do something to combat
lifestyle-related diseases before
it is too late." ❑

Right: Hiking, rock climbing and
other vigorous outdoor activities are
among the latest offerings at spas.

Below right: While facials and body
massage are among the more
typical spa offerings, exercise is a
staple as well.

Below left: Spas are no longer seen
as a fat farm for the rich and famous;
they are now seen as a healthy
travel alternative.

-

Experts Offer Tips For Spa Travel

JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER

D

one the trip to Eu-
rope? Don't have the
stomach for a cruise?
Want to be pampered
or whipped into shape? Then a
spa vacation may be right for
you.
But before you begin packing,
travel agents and spa repre-
sentatives make a few sugges-
tions on planning a spa
vacation.

Do Research
Travel agents and spa repre-
sentatives warn against going
to a spa simply because of
the popularity of the place or the
"star factor" — the news reports
of famous people frequenting
particular spas. Some spas
are geared toward pamper-
ing and others, called "boot
camps," offer a more regiment-
ed routine.

"They should ask a lot of
questions, like what is in the
spa package, what is offered in
terms of locale, what outdoor
sports are available," said Katie
Garber, spokesperson for the
Canyon Ranch spas.
"People should ask them-
selves what they really want to
do," said Kim Marshall, a
spokesperson for International
Spa and Fitness Association.
"For example, if they want to
lose weight, they should ask
about what kinds of classes are
offered, what kind of training is
available, what kind of food is
available."

Plan Ahead
While some spas can secure
reservations with only three
weeks' notice during the off sea-
son, most are booked solid three
months in advance, leaving lit-

tle space for last-minute plans.
A three-month lead time is rec-
ommend for peak season trav-
el.
"During the winter, you need
to plan a couple months out,"
Ms. Garber said.

Knowledgeable Agents
"The problem is that there
are very few travel planners
who are trained in spa travel,"
Ms. Marshall said.
To remedy this situation, the
spa industry recommends va-
cationers considering spa trav-
el call 1-800-ALL-SPAS, for a
referral to a local travel agent
trained in booking spas.
In addition, the spas recom-
mend that people who are
thinking about planning such a
vacation call for informational
brochures to make sure the
match is right.

Five Days
Spas are not cheap vacations.
Although some Mexican spa va-
cations can be had for $2,000 or
less for a seven-day stay, many
come in closer to $3,500 to more
than $5,000 without airfare. Per
person rates ranged from $72 to
$840 a night.
However, once the price is
paid, there are almost no extra
costs for most spas. Although air
fare is not included in most pack-
age costs, food, massages, facials,
classes and other services are
part of the price.
"Once you pay, there are no
more costs," said Andrea Lisnek,
manager of Fisher Travel in
Southfield. "There is no more
out-of-pocket cost. You don't have
to tip the masseuse or the wait-
er or the piddly little things that
add up."
Spas also encourage week-long

stays; according to I/SPA, the av-
erage spa vacation in 1995 was
5.9 days. Some offer special week
rates to make a seven-day stay
not only easier but cheaper.
"They feel it takes that long to
wind down and then wind back
up in the right direction," Ms.
Marshall said.

Pack Right
Some spas offer thick terry
cloth robes, soft towels, top-of-
the-line personal care products
and sweat suits for their clients;
others require guests bring
everything but towels.
One common trait is that spas
are casual, no place for the crown
jewels or floor-sweeping evening
gowns.
"It is hysterical," said Ms. Lis-
nek. "You walk from your mas-
sage in your robe into the dining
room." ❑