In a third-hand account of spa-going, I offer you the results from this year's list of best spas, based on a reader poll done by Conde Nast. I tried going directly to the Conde Nast site, but they offered their results with that annoying web trick of forcing you to click here, there and everywhere to see all the results.
Instead, you can go to A Luxury Travel Blog and see all on one page, the top spas in the U.S., Canada, Hawaii (yes, I understand that Hawaii is part of the U.S., but I didn't make up the categories), cruise ship spas, spas in Mexico and Central America, spas in the Atlantic and Caribbean and top hotel spas.
Take the recommendations with a grain of salt...or with a sugar scrub. Theses spas are not being reviewed by us skilled and trained professional journalists, you know, those of us who majored in spa going and can write about it objectively.
But the list of top spas at least gives you some names of places to research if a solo spa vacation is in your cards. While you're researching, of course, investigate what the solo scene is to see if you'd enjoy going alone.
While searching for the top spas list at Conde Nast's site, (where it turns out there are 250 top spas...who's left at the bottom?) I found a separate, mildly interesting post on the top spa trends.
Some spas cater to men, with a "cadre" of therapies specifically for golfers. Interesting.
Another trend: treatments to help with sleep. I liked the description of the "Drift to Sleep" at Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida. During the 110-minute treatment you get a body scrub, a bath (milk or lavendar), a massage and guided meditation "culminating in a 20-minute nap." Can you get a discount if you cut the program short and go back to your room to sleep?
Trend number five is one I mean to keep in mind at all times...but don't. Several spas offer discounts via Facebook and Twitter, a way to grab limited-time offers. I should always check to see if there are such social media discounts for trips and spas and other things I'm interested in. But do I?
Photo: By Ellen Perlman. Entrance to spa at the Hilton in Luxor, Egypt.
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