Spa Visits During Covid-19: 4 Things to Know
The Montage Deer Valley, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, The St. Regis Atlanta, The Joseph Nashville, and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Even in the midst of Covid-19, I managed to visit the spas at these properties — and each did a fabulous job of making me feel safe and pampered.
Now, I realize that I’m a bit of an anomaly here, as a lot of you probably aren’t quite comfortable with booking a spa day yet. But, when you’re ready, I’m here to help you make an informed decision. Here are the four things I want you to know before you go.
1. Availability is limited
Long gone are the days where you can check into a hotel and book a day of or next-day treatment at the spa. Thanks to Covid-19, there are staffing shortages everywhere. Plus, due to social distancing recommendations, spas are having to space out bookings to ensure guests can move about (from their treatment to the relaxation room to the locker room and beyond) at a safe distance. Book your services as far in advance as you can to ensure you’re not left out in the spa treatment cold.
2. Snack and sip offerings vary
A glass of bubbly and small bites like almonds and dried fruits. The sips and snacks are two of my favorite — and pretty common — amenities during a spa day. But, during the pandemic, what spas are able to offer guests is often governed by state regulations (which vary greatly). For example, when I visited the Montage in Utah, there was a little bag of nuts waiting in my locker and bottled water in the relaxation room. But, when I visit the Four Seasons Hotel in Philly, attendants offered me water, tea, a post-treatment glass of bubbly and individually packaged smoked almonds and chocolate-covered blueberries. Since you don’t want to show up with an empty stomach anticipating a snack, go ahead and ask what is currently available when you’re booking your appointment. And during your visit, don’t be afraid to ask the attendants for anything you’ve been told is being offered.
3. You’ll wear a mask the whole time
Wearing a mask during a massage still feels a little odd. But, I’m happy to do it to protect myself and the person providing the treatment. All of the hotels I’ve visited have required masks while moving around the properties, so it’s only natural that masks would be expected during spa visits. Since the point of being at the spa is relaxation, be sure you wear a mask that will be comfortable over an extended period of time, and you’ll be able to breathe in if you’re doing a treatment that might require you to be face down.
4. The relaxation room isn’t quite what it used to be
The best relaxation rooms I’ve visited (like the one at Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, N.C.) have fireplaces and cozy chaise lounges and snuggly blankets that you can melt into for hours. For me, the relaxation room is often one of the best amenities at a spa. These days, a lot of the cozy elements like blankets and magazines have been removed due to Covid concerns. And when the spa has been busy, the last thing I want to do is sit in a room with a bunch of other people. However, when the spa isn’t busy, the relaxation room can still be a wonderful part of your visit. For example, I was more than happy to settle into the comfy loungers in The St. Regis Atlanta Spa and enjoy the post-treatment chocolates I was given by my therapist (that evening I was the only one there). And after my treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia spa, I was pleased as punch to park myself in one of the curved lounges overlooking the city skyline while I enjoyed my snacks and sips (see above).
P.S. Looking for a personalized approach to your wellness experience? I’ve spent a decade working as a wellness journalist — visiting more than 50 spas from Vail to Vienna — and 20 years in the fitness industry. The picks for my City Wellness Guides are based on my experience.