$pa $avings

Spa trips and treatments are one of the indulgences of the good life, but the costs can be anything but relaxing. Not to worry, though. Executive director of Destination Spa Group Michelle Kleist offers some advice to alleviate your stress and reduce your costs.

Compare apples to apples. Examine the all-inclusive packages vs. a la cart. “Consider what you really want,” Kleist says. “The all-inclusive packages have the highest value, but you might not be interested in the whole package.” If you only want a massage and a few rounds of golf, a resort spa may be a better fit than a pricier destination spa.

Timing is everything. “Timing can be key to saving,” Kleist says. “The off season can be helpful.” This is especially true in seasonally oriented areas such as the Northeast during autumn. Also, try booking a stay from Monday through Thursday vs. a weekend trip.

E-spa savings. Kleist recommends searching property Web sites rather than bulk saving sites such as Expedia or Travelocity. If you're interested in a specific spa or resort, start there. It may have better deals listed as incentive to register directly rather than via a third party. But if you do want to shop around, Kleist recommends www.spafinder.com or other savings sites devoted to spas.

Stray from big names. For further savings, consider a smaller, lesser known spa. Name recognition can drive up base costs, as well as the price tag of individual treatments. Kleist suggests spas such as Birdwing Spa in Litchfield, Minnesota, in a region where not many people think to look for a spa getaway. But, she cautions, be sure that the spa is established. Look for those that have been around for at least one year and appear up to par. Savings shouldn’t mean sacrificing peace of mind or health standards, which will negate the healthful effects of the spa vacation.

Be loyal. Some spas, such as the Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, allow patrons to accrue frequent spa-goer credits similar to frequent flier miles, which can be applied to later stays or treatments.

Bring a friend ... or 10. A host of larger spas offer group discounts, says Kleist, usually for 10 or more people. So if you are planning a girls-only weekend or a reunion, these packages can spell savings for everyone in your party. Also, several spas offer deals when you bring along a first-time spa patron.

Go back to basics. “I always encourage people to sign up for basics,” Kleist says, noting, “What if you sign up for a package that includes three sessions of hot rocks only to get there and find out you don’t like hot rocks?”

Leave it to the professionals. “Work with a professional,” Kleist advises, “especially with resort spas—there are so many! It’s more efficient, and you save time and money by talking with someone to tailor what you want.”

For more information, visit www.destinationspagroup.com.