Selling Romantic Destination Spas

Couples looking for a destination spa getaway to improve their physical, mental and emotional selves—with a nice dose of romance thrown in—represent a nice niche for interested agents.

About two-thirds of spas offer treatments for couples, according to the International SPA Association (ISPA) 2014 U.S. Spa Industry Study, an indicator that spa-goers are bringing their significant others along during pampering time.

Samantha Cooper, spa director at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass., has seen a trend in couples visiting the property.

“They are looking to get fit and healthy together,” she said.

Nancy Deaton, spa director at The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Penn., has also “seen an increase of men coming with their significant others to enjoy a health-filled escape.”

Deaton thinks that the trend towards healthy vacations is no passing fad.

“As more and more people are discovering that well-living is a lifestyle, and not a fad diet or trendy exercise, couples are choosing to kick off their lifestyle changes or to reconnect in healthy ways together periodically,” said Deaton.
 
Time to de-stress
The number one reason men and women worldwide visit a spa is to learn how to manage their stress, according to Lynne McNees, president of ISPA.

“Any spa experience is a good option for couples looking to get away,” she said.

“Destination spas primarily have fewer distractions as they are often found in remote areas, this can lead to focused time together.

The benefits of a spa vacation, as well, can last long after the vacation itself if couples are committed to self-improvement.

“Whenever you can find something to do as a couple, it is a good thing,” said McNees. “You are also able to hold each other accountable after returning to everyday life.”

McNees says the number one spa treatment is a massage, and outside of the spa experience that there is an element of education that can be found at a destination spa for couples.

Couple Activities
Destination spas offer couples the opportunity to try new things they never tried before, says Jill Leeds, owner of Just Spas & Adventures in Bolton Landing, N.Y.

Destination spas can even offer good food, scenic locations and other elements of a romantic getaway, but stresses that “doing your homework” is important to make sure the destination spa has everything the couple wants to experience.

Leeds says many destination spas offer special programs that are geared to couples, such as those that focus on relationships and sexuality.  

So happy together
A couple’s spa getaway does not mean the duo needs to spend every minute together, according to Julie Ann Juba of Jet Set Getaways.  

“[Couples] use the time to have a healthy balance between doing activities together and also having individual experiences because most likely they each have different needs to be met,” said Juba.  

She has been successful marketing to couples via social media and through emails.

“We send clients ideas of a destination spa escape for one to seven nights,” she said. “Sometimes they are so busy and do not have a full week to themselves, so giving them the idea of a 24-hour escape is enlightening!”