Clever how a negative has turned into a cash cow positive in the resort world.
An article appeared in the June 15, 2014 Sunday New York Times to tell of the new trend to create spaces for spa treatments outside the box, or in this case, outside spa treatment rooms. Traditionally, treatment rooms, with few exceptions, do not have views and are remarkably alike. Mostly all have variations on the degree of soft lighting replete with candles and a hint of Native American flute music echoing in the canyons of the American West. But all pretty much possess a cushy table, the cleanest, largest white linen coverings ever created, and the donut- shaped place for your face that leaves a large ring from your nose to your jaw. But who cares about that after you have experienced a honey, lavender and almond exfoliation?
So, spa treatments can now be experienced for an additional fee in the privacy of your own room at a resort. Ironically, "in room spa treatments" used to be offered when a hotel could not afford to create a 20,000 sq ft spa, just didn't have the land to build one, the builder or owner's ego to create one, or the number of guest rooms to justify even a small "spa." What is truly amazing is that forward thinking approach has put an additional financial onus on the guest, with a minimum of approximately $50.00 to boot. And this, for the privilege of setting up a massage table between the king size bed and the ubiquitous single chair with one lamp.
And then there is the St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico, which charges $75 for its Spa Without Walls offering. It allows guests to have a treatment at certain locations on its grounds, in addition to the bedroom option. That's a fine, creative marketing ploy. Ocean breeze, sound of soft waves in the distance, and a canopy protection from the sun. Just one thing. If I choose a spot outside, I just need to know if children are allowed within a three mile radius of my treatment table, or it's back to the flute-filled, dark rectangular room where church-like whispers are serenely heard.
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