Questions to ask a day spa before you book

A short call before a first visit saves surprises on the day. These are reasonable things to ask any spa.

What does the service include, and how long is it? "Facial" or "massage" can mean very different things from one spa to the next. Ask what happens, how long it takes and what it costs.

Who will do the treatment? Many treatments are done by licensed practitioners. If a licence applies to the service you are booking, your state's licensing board usually lets you look up a practitioner by name on its website.

What is the cancellation policy? Ask how much notice the spa needs and whether a fee applies.

Can they work around a health concern? If you are pregnant, have an allergy or have a condition that affects treatment, say so when you book, not on arrival.

Is there anything to bring or avoid beforehand? Some treatments go better with a little preparation.