WHAT'S THE CATCH WITH "LIMITLESS SPA TREATMENT" PROMOTIONS?
What's the catch with "limitless spa treatment" promotions? - Luxury Travel Magazine
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| By Emma Brancatisano |
| Date: 22 July, 2011 |
| It is a concept many luxury traveller dreams of, and yet, rarely lands on. With the rise of health-and-wellness-directed luxury spas and resorts comes the emergence of the unlimited spa treatment resort. Limitless access to a resort’s spa treatments and services…what more could you want? But is there a catch? Most recently, The Fusion Maia Resort in Da Nang, Vietnam claims to be the first five-star Asian luxury resort to offer unlimited spa treatments. Boasting the largest spa in central Vietnam, the Fusion Maia takes this luxury spa experience to a new level. Unlike other spas and hotels across the globe offering a similar service, Fusion Maia’s unlimited treatments are all-inclusive as part of the regular room rate. Available for all guests, the array of body and hydrotherapy treatments is promoted purely as ‘part of living at the beach resort’. Put simply, no added costs are involved. Tucked away among tropical gardens and accessed by a bamboo-lined stone path, the Fusion Maia spa has sixteen treatment rooms as well as beauty salons, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, spa workshops and a spa library. It is here guests can relax and indulge in as many five-star-quality spa treatments as they desire, from foot reflexology to scrubs, wraps, massages and pedicures. Whilst the spa menu is slightly abbreviated, Fusion’s professional spa therapists have mastered each service to provide every guest with at least three treatments each day (if they wish). Guests do not need to book the flashiest accommodation on this boutique property to guarantee their endless daily treatments; Fusion’s three staying options - pool suites, spa villas and beach villas- are all on offer. And each option, with its own private pool, courtyard garden and canopy bed, is nothing short of luxury. As the unlimited spa treatment and service approach becomes a worldwide phenomenon and luxury resorts continue to up their own health-and-wellness game, the question becomes clear: Are there any limits to unlimited spa treatments? In most cases, there is a catch. Across Northern and Central America, unlimited spa treatment is a common service offered only through luxury spa packages. At Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe, on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, guests can take the resort’s U Spa experience of ultimate relaxation. With 18, 000 square feet of facilities and sixteen indoor/outdoor treatment rooms, this deal includes one day of unlimited spa services from a specially prepared spa menu for mid-week arriving guests. The catch? The offer is only available for guests staying in a deluxe ocean view suite or a suite in a higher room category. Equally, the suite of Secrets Resorts and Spas across Mexico and the Dominican Republic offer a unique Unlimited-Luxury experience spa package. Guests receive a spa day pass, and can choose four 25-minute body treatments, per day per person. However, a minimum five-night stay is required and no more than four treatments can be booked, due to health reasons. Rates for these luxury unlimited spa packages begin at US$399 per night. At Park City’s Sky Lodge in Utah, this price will guarantee a spacious one-bedroom luxury suite for two guests as part of the hotel’s spa service deal. Guests may book as many spa treatments as they desire during their stay at Sky’s Japanese-inspired ‘amatsu’ (heavenly) spa. The final catch? A minimum three-night stay is required for this offer until September 2011. Worldwide, the unlimited spa service concept operates under different conditions, and in most cases, comes with a limit. Fusion Maia Resort’s point of difference offers immeasurable services to all of its guests, any day of the week, at no extra cost. |