So what distinguishes one type of spa from another? Well, for the uninitiated, spas can come in the form of Day Spas, Resort/Hotel Spas, Destination Spas, Medical Spas and Club Spas. You probably have come across one or two of these types, but simply unsure of their types (Types of Spas).

Although the term spa originates from a type of water treatment, the most popular type of treatment people seek in a spa is the massage. The right masseuse is able to lift your aches and knots effortlessly, lifting you away to blissfulness. Pure heavenly goodness, we say.

On top of the must-have massage, basic treatments every respectable spa should be equipped with are facials, along with body treatments such as salt glows and body wraps. In addition, you can commonly find spas that have a nail salon. This comes really handy for a manicure and pedicure session right after your treatment!

Other treatments that you can opt for are, among others - Thai massage, hot stone massage and reflexology. In essence, you can say that a spa is like a one-stop pampering and care centre, for all your relaxation needs are taken care of here!

So what are you waiting for? The penultimate experience in relaxation and reinvigoration is just a stroll or a drive away. Get all the information you need about spas from our sidebar.

The best way to find this is through personal recommendation. So ask around! Find out if any of your family members, friends or relatives have recently been to a spa that they're just dying to go again. With social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, this kind of information should be bombarded to you on a daily basis anyway!

If the above fails, there's always websites with reliable editorial recommendations or user comments you can depend on. Go for sites with a wide, matured user base. You can also opt for forums and blogs to find your way. Since you're dealing with perfect strangers, proceed with caution.

In addition, search engines can aid in finding what you're looking for. Visit the websites of search results to shortlist your selection. A good rule of thumb is to eliminate ones with poorly managed contents or website designs. Then, look at the types of spa treatments offered. Other things to watch out for are their galleries and company profiles.

Once this is done, you should be able to eliminate some that do not fit into what you're looking for. So what's next?

Well, a spa is all about the services offered, hence an excellent barometer of service is their customer service. Call them up to find out how knowledgeable and helpful the staff is. A good way to test them is by asking them to describe the spa treatments offered in detail.

More often than not, what you see is not what you get. So don't trust the images published by spa companies. Ask for a tour before committing to an appointment. Observe the facility's sanitary conditions, staff friendliness and other customers' satisfaction to get a feel.

Good luck!

1. Deep Breathing

Do you breathe slowly while you're stressed out? Fat chance! Stress is associated with tense and shallow breathing. To induce serenity within you, try breathing deeper. If you manage to squeeze in the time, sit down and be comfortable. Then, for the next 10 minutes, slowly inhale and exhale, do this while placing complete focus on your body's sensations.

2. Music Therapy

It is common knowledge that music can be extremely therapeutic and soothing. But how many of us actually put this into practice everyday? So remember to put on some soothing sounds when you're feeling as if you're about to burst!

3. Mindfulness

Being mindful of your surroundings is an excellent mind relaxer. It is usually the future that we're worried about, up to the point where our health becomes compromised. So focus on the here and now, start by noticing your surroundings. For instance, examine the intricate details of leaves, flowers, faces, or just about anything you can set your sights on!

4. Think Positive

Before your stress levels rise to dangerous levels, stop yourself by focusing on the positive. This tip is really handy when you're outside and unable to lie down or rely on things like music. Start conjuring up things in your life that will never fail to bring a smile to your face, be it your spouse, your adorable baby, your many friends, or even your favourite chocolate cookie. What these warm and fuzzy thoughts will do is to create a positive emotional attitude that will bring about feelings of relaxation in your system.

First things first, however. The number of female massage therapists has something to do with popular preferences. Men and women generally prefer their massage therapists to be women. One of the reasons is that people feel most vulnerable when they're nude, so having a female therapist will seem to them as the safest option.

In addition, women also tend to feel uncomfortable with male massage therapists, thinking that the therapists will judge their bodies. Worse than being judged is the fear of being taken advantage of sexually, for feelings of mortification and humiliation is the last thing they'd want from going to a spa! The same is true for some males who are afraid that their massage therapists might be gay and leave them vulnerable to sexual advances.

In general, men and women find the female touch soothing and easier to relax to, hence the dearth in the number of male massage therapists.

Hence, if you do not state your preferences beforehand, you might be surprised to find that you've been booked with a male. If this will be a hindrance toward the enjoyment of your massage, you should definitely notify the spa beforehand.

However, some people actually prefer male massage therapists. Some gay men do, but more importantly, people prefer them because they have more strength. The extra strength will really come in handy for those tough knots in your body, where you'll be requiring deep tissue massages.

1. Getting healthy

This is especially true for destination spas, where you will be trained to live a healthier lifestyle via the holistic approach accorded to visitors. Sometimes, all you need is simply a nudge in the right direction! And with the requisite stay at the spa for at least two nights, you will get all the support you need to embark on your healthier route.

2. Reconnect with Loved Ones

Spas are great places for you to reconnect with your loved ones. If hectic lives have taken a toll on your relationships with your family and friends, here's a great opportunity! They're excellent getaways for some female bonding, so you get to spend quality time with your mother, sisters and girlfriends as you engage in the various activities. For those wishing to rekindle their romance, romantic packages can be an excellent option.

3. Relaxation

Want the ultimate experience in relaxation and unwind? Head to a spa. Why, with professionals at your beck and call to pamper you, what more can you ask for? Besides the people, you can also look forward to some invigorating spa treatments that will make you smile from ear to ear when you're finished. The amenities and facilities like swimming pools, restaurants, gymnasiums and saunas are not too shabby either.

There are many other benefits of spas that can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Some of these are detoxification of your bodies, promotion of healthy eating habits and weight loss. Since no spa can be a jack-of-all-trades, determining which spa offers the best in the offerings you desire might be a good idea.

1. Mash a banana with some milk. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. This is to     obtain glowing skin.
2. Apply some honey on your face and neck for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. This is to obtain glowing and smooth     skin.
3. Mix some egg whites with honey and apply onto face for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
4. Make a paste comprising of one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this paste     and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
5. Rub a piece of papaya onto your face and neck for 15 minutes.
6. Make a paste combining 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder and orange juice. Scrub it onto your face and neck. Leave     it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
7. Mix together mashed banana, honey, lemon juice and margarine to make a paste. Apply this on to your face and     leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning.
8. Boil cabbage in water. Wash your face with this water.
9. Combine powder mango peel and one teaspoon of milk powder. Rub onto face, neck and hands. Wash off after 15     minutes.
10. Mix one cup of sugar with one tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice. While taking your bath, lather your body and       face heavily with soap or bath gel. Then, scrub the sugar mixture onto the soap lather you created throughout your       body and face.

So there you have it, facial treatments that cost you practically nothing. Chances are you have some, if not all of these ingredients lying around in the kitchen anyway!

Firstly, try to pick a day when no one will be home so there will be no distractions. On that day, start off by exfoliating because spa treatments work best with squeaky clean skin!

Next, heat up some water into a large bowl to begin your facial steaming. Adding green tea and herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender into the water can make the experience all the more rejuvenating. Simply wrap your hair with a face towel and let your skin absorb the steam for five minutes. Voila!

Steaming is essential to eliminate dirt and rehydrating the skin, but you don't want to leave your pores open to entry for germs, new dirt and other pesky irritants, so use a toner on your skin afterwards. Opt for ones that are rich in antioxidants.

Some treatments that you can perform on your skin on a weekly basis are Facial Masks, Facial Peel and Microdermabrasion.

Facial Masks are beneficial to the skin due to its moisturising properties. Excellent choices for this purpose are masks with avocado, banana or aloe. To remove dead skin cells and enliven the skin, go for facial peels. These products can be found on the counter so you don't need to spend a bomb!

To accelerate the removal of dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal, give yourself a microdermabrasion treatment. It sounds complicated but in actual fact, there are numerous products over the counter for you to choose from.

Make yourself as comfortable as possible by switching off the lights and lighting some scented candles. Put on some comfortable clothes and enjoy your favourite desserts while relaxing your mind away. Or put on a bath and soak your blues away. The sky is the limit to your home spa!

Lucky for you, we've compiled the most embarrassing questions you were too afraid to ask, and their answers.

1. Should I take my underwear off for a massage? What if I took it off and the masseuse tells me it's not necessary? Help!

The decision to either keep your underwear on or off is entirely up to you. Although reaching your lower back and hips will be difficult (especially if they're problem areas), keep your undies on if you really feel uncomfortable without them. Or opt for thongs (for women) or briefs (for men) to provide more access.

2. I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of a massage therapist seeing me while I undress. What should I do?

It is the massage therapist's job to provide maximum privacy to you, so do not be afraid of this problem. The masseuse will simply give you time to undress while he/she leaves the enclosure, and will knock prior to entering again. In fact, you can take action against spas that have massage therapists that perform otherwise!

3. How do I determine whether the spa is legitimate?

With words like 'sensual' for spa treatments clouding your judgement, how can you tell? Simple. Ask to see the certification and license of the massage therapists. A licensed therapist will not come into contact with your nipples or genitals during the massage.

4. I'm self-conscious about my (insert body part here). What should I do?

If you're really self-conscious about certain parts of your body, you can request your masseuse to forgo the area. Or another alternative is to go for treatments such as Thai massage or Shiatsu, these treatments are done while you're fully clothed, so no problem there!

Arriving early is the cardinal rule of spa treatments, because who wants to go through a massage under stress? Stress thinking about how 10 minutes of your massage treatment has gone down the drain because of the preparations while partially enjoying the rest of your massage is definitely not the makings of 'Heavenly Spa Experiences'.

Also, do not eat prior to a massage session. Being 100% present is the key here, so avoid the focus on your tummy contents. If you feel uncomfortable about removing your clothing, don't! If the lack of clothing causes discomfort, no amount of direct pressure by the masseuse can undo the damage.

You should also notify your masseuse your preferences in terms of pressure amount, speed of movement, music volume, room temperature and lighting.

Letting your masseuse know when you're tightening your body will also help in loosening up throughout the entire duration of the massage.

Great massages are all about being in a total relaxed state, so don't let any inhibitions get in the way.

Another deterrent from complete relaxation is the racing of thoughts, and curbing this might be harder said than done for some people! Try to avoid this by being more body-centred: focus on the flows of the masseuse's hands, think about how good each movement feels against your body, close your eyes and indulge in the soothing sensations.

If you get these right, rest assured that your future spa visits will be nothing but bliss!

Destination spas, on the other hand, promote healthier lifestyles among individuals through a dietary, fitness, spa treatment and educational lecture. To ensure visitors derive maximum benefit from the spa, they are required to spend at least two nights here.

Similar to destination spas, resort/hotel spas are located within hotels and resorts. What's different compared to destination spas is that treatments can be opted for ala carte in these spas. So if you want only a Thai massage, that's all you'll receive, in addition to the complete relaxation and pampering accorded via the resorts/hotels you're residing in, of course.

At the end of the spectrum are medical spas - the combination of a clinic and a spa where you will be under the supervision of a physician. These spas are generally frequented for medical treatments for conditions such as broken capillaries and brown spots. There are even aesthetic medical procedures like chemical peels and skin tightening if you know where to look!

Some other types of spas that you can find are Mineral Springs Spas and Club Spas. Mineral Spring Spas utilise natural mineral water for its treatments, while Club Spas operate within the vicinity of a Health Club.

But spas are not either/or establishments! They need not be either a Day Spa or a Resort Spa, for instance. So one fine day, you might stumble upon a Resort Spa that offers services on a day basis. These classifications are merely a means to differentiate the functionalities and characteristics that various spas offer.

2. Remember to arrive early, at least 20 minutes earlier so that you don't have to rush things over like checking in,     change your attire into robe and slippers and relax.
3. If you want to relax before the massage, come even earlier before your appointment and enjoy their facilities like the     steam room, sauna or hot tub. It helps you relax before going for your massage. After you are done, shower first to     rinse away the chlorinated water before you go for your treatment.
4. A hot shower is also good to help you relax before your treatment and you can enjoy the most out of it.
5. In spa, massage is always done without you wearing anything besides a piece of cloth to cover your body. The only     parts that are exposed are those that will be massaged.
6. If you are not comfortable with wearing nothing, you can always put on your underwear. Either that or you can pick     reflexology or Thai massage where you can put your clothes on.
7. If you wanted to enjoy two treatments or more in a visit, make sure you get a body treatment before massage and     facial after massage.
8. Let the therapist know if you don't feel comfortable with the surroundings; the music, the treatment, the room     temperature. They'll make you the adjustments and make sure you are comfortable throughout your stay there.
9. Talk or remain silence in your treatment.
10. If the therapist told you to take your time getting up, it doesn't mean you can take a nap first. You usually have a few       minutes before getting up.

After visiting spas for a few times and trying out all the basic yet popular treatments, you can opt to go for other kind of massage. The popular ones should be Thai massage, hot stone massage and reflexology. If you need a facial or body treatments, remember to ask your regular esthetician of what kind of treatments those that are suitable for your skin.

Enjoy your spa visit and relax. You don't have to always rush if you make an effort to reach earlier in order to make your visit more comfortable. Check in, change into their robe and slippers and relax. Or enjoy their facilities first before you get into the treatments. You'll enjoy better this way after you're completely relax and comfortable with the place.

2. Rooms like wet rooms and body treatment rooms should be clean thoroughly as they are important facilities in spas.
3. See how they clean their equipments after used.
4. If the wraps are to be used for the second time, see if they sanitized them. It's better if they disposed the used ones     and use a new wrap instead for the next person.
5. Keep a close look out for double dipping. If they were to use an implement to take the product out of the container and     then apply it directly on their customer make sure they don't put the implement back into the container after that. This     will pollute the products.
6. Remember to ask them if the hydrotherapy tubs as well as the pedicure equipments are sanitized thoroughly.
7. Hand and foot bowls must be clean each time they used.
8. Wax pots must be clean and no double dipping is used each time they want to take the wax. The spatula must be a     new one each time they use.

It's not a wrong to call and ask questions about the spas. It's for your own evaluation before deciding on which the best is and what suits you most. Ask all you want before you make your appointment. If you're having a tour, keep a close eye to how they perform their services and observe them. Plan smart for a better and comfortable experience in spa.

After you've completed the treatment, you'll feel that your body carries away the toxin in your body perfectly fine. So, it's good to get a massage once in a while. You don't have to feel guilty about spending your money. It's something that you need to have and pamper yourself.

But, keep in mind that don't go for a massage if you're not feeling well especially if you are having fever, infections, inflammation, osteoporosis or other medical conditions that makes you not fit for a massage. If you have any enquiries, there's always a chance of asking to speak to your therapist.

If you're first in trying out the four hand massage, you'll definitely feel much better when the massage is done compare to only one therapist. It can be a wonderful experience and it might be a little weird if it's your first time.

Usually, one of the therapists will take the lead and start with the massage and the other one will follow suit or both of them doing the same thing at the same time. Either way or you'll end up feeling weirder if they don't synchronize. It works even better if they have been working with each other for quite some time that their style and even the touch feel similar.

This four-handed massage has been in a trend recently and most of the spa has that in their menu especially resort spas. Since the tradition came from Ayurvedic , it's best to experience this type of massage in parlors that offer authentic Ayurvedic therapies.

Besides being known as four-handed massage, it's also known as duo massage.

Check also their environment if they are quiet and relaxing enough and looks comfortable to you. Usually a comfortable spa plays soothing music and their lights are dim with the space filled with pleasant aromas. The rooms must be clean and sanitary is important especially to the equipments used. Finally, run through their spa menu to see what they offer. Ask the staffs if you don't understand their menu. All of them should be able to answer all your questions. You'll be required to fill in a medical form as well. These should be taken into account to get yourself the best spa.

The next step to take is to choose your desired spa treatments. Basic spa treatments include massage, facial, body treatment, manicure and pedicure. You can choose either one of them if you are rushing, or you can sign up for all the treatments in one go to enjoy the whole day there. It's always good to get combine treatments in order to have best result. You can take a massage with body treatment or a massage with facial.

Some small spas might not offer you manicure and pedicure services. Remember to check with them before hand. Massage can help you relax your muscles while deep cleansing facial cleans your face thoroughly. Body treatment is good to exfoliate your body and makes your skin as soft and tender as it can be.

When you are done choosing your preferred treatments now you choose your therapist. It will be better if you have personal reference as a good therapist promises you a quality treatment. And take into consideration which therapist you would prefer, male or female therapist.

Prepare yourself for the spa. Before and after the treatments, drink plenty of water to enhance benefits from the treatments and skip eating for an hour before and after the massage. Arrive earlier to enjoy their other facilities. Clear your mind and calm down before any treatments. You can utilize their meditation room as well if they have one. Try to avoid bringing your valuable belongings along with you to the spa. Keep them at home or in the locker provided.

When it comes to treatment time, relax your mind and enjoy the experience. Remove all your clothes and wrap yourself with the cloth or large towels they provide. Take in deep breaths slowly and send messages to your mind to remind other part of your body to relax as well. Relax your muscles and treat this experience openly to enjoy every bits of it. If you are not comfortable with the music or the lights or the pressure of the treatments, tell your therapist.

When the treatment is over, take your time to get up and change and don't rush off. If it's in your tradition to tip, a 15% tip is appropriate. After the treatment, treat yourself better at home. You can extend your spa experience even if you're at home. You can get some products sold in the spa you went preferably their skin care products to enable you to extend the routine at home.

Most massages bring calmness to you and so do foot reflexology. The main benefit is to create calmness, to improve your blood circulation, to make you feel energized after a session and balance your emotions well. It helps heal tiredness, body aches and sore feet and after a session of this foot massage, you'll feel energetic again.

People in modern days always mention about convenient and nowadays they don't move that often like people usually did in the golden days where they climb the tree, walk barefoot and work with the nature. Modern people usually sit in the office and barely move anything except the fingers. With foot reflexology, it connects you back to the nature and helps you balance up.

Give foot reflexology a try especially when you've walked the whole day. You're going to love it to bits.

Environment wise is also slightly different from the day spa you always see. Medical spa makes you feel like you're in a clinic rather than a spa but of course, they are much better than the real clinic. Some medical spas also offer regular treatments like massage and body treatments. While others focus more on wellness where they provide services like acupuncture, nutritional counseling and naturopathic doctor consultations.

Know your problems well before you decide paying a medical spa a visit. Ask them for a consultation and see what the doctor's advice is.

2. Travel Off-Season
If you're planning to go for a vacation, the best season to go is when it's an off-peak season. Same goes for spa. Usually the price drops during travel off-season and you'll get best price for spa treatments in your hotel.

3. Off-peak Rates and Specials
During some hours of the day or on certain days in a week where people are busy to go for a spa, the charges in spa are usually lower at this point of time. Do a little bit of survey and find out what's the best time to get best deals.

4. Say YES to Email Blasts
There are always better deals when you receive email and text messages from spa centers. Last minute discounts, free treatments and classes will be included in these messages.

5. Sign up as a member
When you sign up as a member, you'll always get special discount of maybe free treatments after a few session or a monthly offer.

6. Rewards Programs
Join their loyalty program and you are entitled to special discounts after a few visits to the spa.

7. Local Programs
Some spas have special rate if you're a local from the town itself. If you are not, don't sign up for the program.

8. Group Rates
If you're going in a group, try to get group rate from them. It's cheaper.

9. Sign up for a series.
Like slimming centre, you'll need to undergo a series of sessions before you get your result. Same goes to spa. Sign up for a series of treatments.

10. Small Day Spa
If you only need a massage or facial, go to small day spa instead. The prices somehow should be cheaper than grand spa parlors.

11. Private therapists or estheticians
Try to look for individual therapists and estheticians that go from home to home to give you their service.

12. Spend a Day
If you're going to a luxurious resort spa, spend the whole day there and use all their facilities. Don't waste.

You can get a beautifully done nail, shaped perfectly to your preference. They give you personal advice as well on which color is in the trend, what suits you better and most importantly it's really perfectly shaped with no chips at all. Rest assured that manners are guaranteed as well.

There are also special treatments that you don't get in normal nail salons but you get them in the spa. Aromatic salt rub, hydrating mask, paraffin dip are of those that you can get in spa manicure and pedicure. With these extra steps you can relieved that your nails will stay perfectly in shape for a longer time.

It won't be a good choice if you're on a budget, so you have to decide in between the normal manicure and pedicure and the spa manicure and pedicure. It's will be a nice experience though if you have a chance to experienced them in the spa.