Spa Trends 2005
November 10th, 2006
What are the hottest trends in the world of spas? Spa Finder has compiled a listing of the top ten spa trends in 2005 — covering everything from the rise of online spa travel to super-opulent spa experience.
According to Spa Finder President Susie Ellis, 2004 saw the rise of the medical spa and more spa participation among men and teens, and 2005 will be a break-out year for spas. “’Spa’ (is) becoming a hot marketing buzzword, and spa-inspired tastes and trends becoming interwoven into daily American life.”
Spa Design Comes Home — More spa-goers are finding decorating inspiration during their spa visits. The bathroom is the main focus of home-spa design, with hydro-therapeutic showers and tubs, mosaic and glass tiling. But spas are also influencing decorating decisions throughout the home, from furnishings and accessories to lighting and ambience.
Living at the Spa — “Spa communities” are providing aging baby boomers with a healthy lifestyle, centered around spa-going. Led by Canyon Ranch Living community in Florida, more premier spas are offer ingresidential properties built around healthy-living activities and amenities like hiking/biking trails, workout rooms, fitness classes, healthy cuisine, spa treatments, and health education.
Ultra-Luxurious Spas — The luxury end of the market is becoming even more luxurious. That trend is going in two directions. At one end you have a more exclusive, tasteful experience, such as the Mandarin Oriental’s Asian-inspired spas. On the other hand you have the “blingâ€? factor, like creams made with diamonds. “Stay tuned for daily private spiritual and wellness counseling, ruby/diamond/emerald/sapphire massage oils, four-hour massages, three-therapist treatments, underwater spas, private hotel/spa rooms, and a slate of ultra-chic big-name designer spas,â€? says Spa-Finder.
Mobile Spas — Can’t find time to get away to a spa? Now the spa will come to you. Mobile spas, complete with therapists, massage tables, pedicure carts and other equipment, offer roving relaxation in venues ranging from movie sets and airports, to hotel rooms and offices. Home spa parties , meanwhile, will become an increasingly popular alternative for baby and wedding showers, bachelorette parties, birthdays, and “just because.”
Spa-Goers Become Spa “Goal-ers” — Travelers hit destination and resort spas to quit smoking, recover from grief, achieve spiritual awareness, improve sexual health, or detoxing (which is shaping up to be an extremely popular spa pursuit in our toxic times). Men come for physical therapy and pain reduction treatments. They also discover that spa-grooming treatments have a positive impact on their business and personal life.
Spa Travel Explodes Online — 33% of leisure travelers say access to a spa is a primary consideration in making their travel plans. In 2005, major travel portals will enable these spa-focused online travelers to book spa vacations (and, soon, spa treatments) as part of their dynamic travel packages, along with rooms, rental cars, etc.
A Kinder, Gentler Medical Spa Experience — Medical spas continue to thrive. Blending traditional medical expertise with spa luxury and innovation, medical spas are becoming trusted venues for executive physicals, health and wellness programs, cosmetic treatments, dentistry and dermatology.
Stay Spas Go Exotic. Day Spas Get Back to Basics. — Day spas are getting away from long, confusing menus and focus on massage, facials, and other mainstays. Some will embrace express, no frills and discount concepts. Resort spas, meanwhile, will continue to diversify their treatment offerings with indigenous experiences. Thai massage, Ashtanga and Indian head massage join Ayurveda, Shiatsu, and hot stone massage as popular treatments. On the spa product front, two trends are high-tech cosmeceuticals and “no-tech” organics.
Spa Cuisine Goes Mass — Led by Nestle’s new Spa Cuisine line, convenient spa-inspired food will became everyday fare in American homes and work places. Americans will look to spa cookbooks, spa cooking classes, and spa chefs for healthy recipe ideas. As for cuisine within the spas, customization and variety are the trends, with spas offering a range of diet options to meet each guest’s needs (vegan/vegetarian, high protein, low carb, low fat, etc.)
Eco Spas Thrive — Eco spas will flourish, providing visitors with a serene, ‘green’ spa experience. These environmentally-friendly destinations believe that personal health begins with global health — a belief that extends to the way they create spa products (all organic ingredients), wash dishes (vinegar instead of soap), light their rooms (solar panels and fluorescent bulbs), and process wastewater (bacteria, fish, snails, et. al.) Look for a growing number of traditional spas to hop on the eco spa bandwagon — both from an operational and marketing standpoint.
http://spas.about.com/od/spareviews/a/topspatrends.htm