Who doesn’t love going to the spa? If this is one of your favourite ways to indulge, then you may want to know about new concepts that can help to take your outing up one level.
Derived from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium, whose name originated in Roman times, the word spa itself denotes “fountain”. The town is famous for its natural mineral springs, and is also the location of a mineral water producer, whose mineral water is exported worldwide. Spa therapies have existed since the classical times when taking bath with water was considered as a popular means to treat illnesses. Forms of ritual purification existed among the Native Americans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans and today, this ritual carries on through the religious ceremonies of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, which reflect the ancient belief in the healing and purifying properties of water.
Lately, novel twists on the spa have been cropping up:
- The Beer Spa. Home to Spain’s first beer spa, the Granada Beer Spa provides beer baths to relax muscle tension, prevent skin aging, reduce stress and help eliminate toxins, according to the venue. Baths include yeast, hops, malt and cinnamon, which the skin absorbs in 20 minutes. Additionally, each bath offers beer taps on the side. The spa also offers body treatments with beer. Apparently the concept is catching on as there are plans to open locations in Madrid, Valencia and Marbella, amongst others.
- Candy Spa. This pop-up salon/spa, Sweet ReTREAT, was held in New York City on February 13th and 14th by Mars Wrigley. Inspired by the company’s chocolate and candy, the pop-up included treatments themed to their top confection brands including Dove, Twix, Skittles and Starburst. Art installations and a candy beverage bar were part of the event. The bonus? It was all free! If you missed the pop-up this year, you can keep your fingers crossed that the company will host another one next year.
- Gin Spa. Only in Britain! Located in Glasgow, Scotland, the Gin Spa brings together a deep understanding and knowledge of gin botanicals, with a focus on crafting superb customer experiences. Treatments include massages, facials and nails and a gin cocktail is included with each treatment.
- Salt Spa. Set to open soon, Speleos Salt Spa, North Hampton will focus on halotherapy, or using salt for therapeutic purposes.The spa will use active and passive forms of halotherapy alike, and will utilize a halo generator to crush pharmaceutical grade salt.
Spa going, for me, is a special occasion thing. I’ve yet to try any of the four listed above, but two that I’ve been to most recently include:
- Spa Scanidave. A traditional Scandinavian baths experience set in a spruce and cedar forest in the mountains. Focusing on hydrotherapy, one can indulge in a range of hot and cold water treatments – steam baths, saunas, Nordic waterfall and showers, cold plunge baths and solariums and outdoor fireplaces. Absolutely magical, especially if you catch it while the snow is falling.
- Miraj Hammam Spa. This exotic oasis lets you indulge in traditional Middle Eastern treatments including Hammam (steam room) & Gommage (exfoliation). The experience leaves skin feeling soft and supple and you feeling most relaxed.
You can even spa at home. Try incorporating Apothekari body treatments into your daily routine for an indulgent experience that won’t break the bank. Do you do spa?
