spa industry

Just less than an hour north of Milan lies a stunning, historically rich, brand-new luxury resort and spa that played host to my recent whirlwind weekend adventure in early June. CastaDiva Resort is named for the famous opera soprano Giuditta Pasta (who was composer Bellini’s muse) and is located in Lake Como, Italy, a magical summer playground for great artists, celebrities, international soccer stars, and often lovingly nicknamed “Lake Clooney” for being home to debonair every-ladies man actor George Clooney. (Yes, I snuck a peek at his villa during a lake tour!)

Some of you may know that I have an “Ask Susie” column where consumers and spa professionals ask spa-related questions that I try to answer as best I can (or I tap into my vast database of very smart spa-people to ask for their help). Here is a question I received the other day that […]

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Spa at the newly renovated Surrey Hotel is the sheer intimacy that envelops you from the moment you step inside the spa, located on the hotel’s second floor. The entrance design has the familiar and welcoming feel of a friend’s (magnificently decorated) living room. The spa has just five spacious treatment rooms and each contains an armoire for storing personal belongings and a private shower, allowing you to avoid seeing other spa-goers in your robe and slippers.

Visitors to Florida seeking a break from the beaches, and locals who want to stay bikini -ready or simply de-stress, can select from a variety of Florida spas. Whether on the beach, or in Miami hot spots, many offer services incorporating local ingredients like algae, coconut, sugarcane, key lime, and sea salt, as well as treatments targeting sun damage. Here are some spas where you can book treatments online now, before you’ve even stepped foot on the beach.

I received a link to the commencement speech given  to the graduating class at Stanford’s School of Medicine last week.  The link was sent to me by Dr. Ken Pelletier, one of the popular keynote speakers at this year’s Global Spa Summit in Istanbul, who “gets it” about the value of spas to medicine.  The graduation remarks were […]

Remember the episode of Sex and the City when Samantha was so desperate to get into the Soho House that she stole a Brit’s pass to gain access to the ever-exclusive roof-deck pool? Well Samantha didn’t know that the real draw in the summer is the Soho House’s spa, Cowshed!

One of the goals of this year’s Global Spa Summit (GSS) , held in Istanbul, Turkey in May, was to look beyond our industry for fresh ideas and inspiration.  So early on, the board of the GSS decided to invite a futurist. Edie Weiner immediately came to mind.  She is a prominent futurist known for “saying […]

SpaFinder’s own spa connoisseur Susie Ellis recently trekked down to the financial district of Manhattan to visit The Setai Spa Wall Street, a hip and sophisticated complex that’s making its mark on the New York spa scene. On-site bonuses at the new Setai Club include an award-winning restaurant, fitness center, and sleek design, and, with its inviting atmosphere, this spa’s stock is definitely up.

Anitra Brown, from Spas.About.com emailed me a few days ago saying she noticed I hadn’t been blogging as often lately (or tweeting for that matter) and wondered if everything was ok. Well, the answer is ‘yes’ things are ok – now – and thanks for noticing that I was out-of-action for a while. In brief […]

I was in Bangkok a few weeks ago (when the Red Shirts who were demonstrating still looked more like a Sunday parade) attending the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC).  Since I usually take pretty comprehensive notes at conferences (keeps me awake and alert), I have selected some points I found particularly interesting, surprising, […]

Health Guru Dr. Oz teamed up with SpaFinder to give away a lovely three-day trip to historic St. Michaels, Maryland for some deep relaxation at The Inn at Perry Cabin. But you don’t have to be a prize winner to enjoy a luxurious weekend along the water of the Miles River… at the very same location where hilarious rom-com The Wedding Crashers was filmed!

Just returned from a spa trip to Asia.  First stop – Tokyo for a SpaFinder Japan press conference.  Yoriko Soma, our partner in Japan, hosted a lovely event honoring recipients of the Crystal Awards for top spas in Japan. Consumers voted these the top 10: 1. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA Tokyo 2. The Ritz […]

iPhone users are raving! SpaFinder has released the iPhone app that will take you directly to deep relaxation. With our SpaFinder App spa-goers have all the tools they need to discover descriptions, discounts, deals and directions to spas close to them. Not only can you find and learn more about spas in your area, but you can also book appointments in real-time using SpaBooker for added convenience!

When your travel plans include an overnight stay and you can’t bear the thought of leaving your pet off the packing list, these resort and hotel spas welcome you to bring along your furry friends—with indulgences that spoil the four-legged loved ones as much as they do the pet lover. Some resort spas offer treatments for your animal (a pampering massage, perhaps?), while others offer pup-tailored packages or amenities to make Rufus’s stay more comfortable.

The Setai Spa Wall Street If I lived in the financial district of Manhattan near Wall Street (and especially if I was a regular recipient of those Wall Street bonuses), I would love being a member of the new Setai Club .  With an award winning restaurant, access to their cool new Setai gym and Setai spa, and great aesthetics all the […]

SRI International is conducting a study to examine the concept of wellness, and the research team would like to capture your viewpoint as a spa savvy consumer. This short survey will just take a few minutes to complete. By participating you’ll be entered into two drawings: for a Mandarin Oriental gift certificate and a Murad Inclusive Health Spa gift basket – both are valued at $250+!

I recently signed up for a Practical Philosophy class, and have been enjoying the series much more than I thought I would. It is a wonderful mixture of lessons on finding the wisdom within, pausing to live in the moment, and learning how to deal with everyday dilemmas.

I have come to peace with the word “pampering.” To understand why this is important to me, I’ll start with the fact that the word pampering and I have been in a wrestling match for about 10 years. It started as a result of hearing my friend and colleague Bernie Burt, author of Fodor’s Healthy […]

By Susie Ellis It was a ‘honey-do’ thing. You know what I mean…when you sacrifice for the sake of your spouse doing something you would probably prefer not to do. In my case it was a weekend of everything motorcycles.  It means a lot to Peter that I share his hobby with him now and then – kind […]

There’s still time to take advantage of SpaFinder’s weeklong Deal Days event, March 8-14. Sign up here www.spafinder.com/dealdays for a list of nationwide spas offering pampering treatments for only $50! In just three easy steps—sign in, search, and book—you’re on your way to a refreshed and rejuvenated you!