How are you holding up on those New Year's resolutions? You know the standard-and sometimes disheartening--routine. The classic promise to get off your duff, get to the gym and lose that ten extra pounds only to have it fade into the background as you get back to a normal work routine after the long stretch of winter holidays. Don't fret. We here at Frommers.com think you should consider visiting a spa to kickstart your promise to yourself. And while you may be thinking, "A spa! Do you think I'm made out of money?" we've got two reliable and informative sources to let you in on to help you have a healthy and affordable getaway.
First up is a great little tome that's right up our alley--The Cheapskate's Guide to Spas by Nathaniel Altman (Kensington Press, 2002, ISBN 0-8065-2318-2). In brief, well-organized introductory chapters, Altman gives you the necessary background on the history of spas and spa towns, clear definitions for the myriad treatments you can indulge yourself in, and-best of all-practical tips for getting the most for your money from a spa vacation: go off-season and during the week to avoid peak rates, buy a package to reduce your costs or take a friend to avoid paying budget-busting single supplements. The real meat of the matter follows: his independent reviews for over 150 individual spas and spa towns (yes, he's been to all of them) that offer affordable escapes for the frugal traveler-some for as little as $40 a day. What's more, his finds are scattered throughout the United States meaning more likely than not there's a spa within a four-hour drive from where you live; easily attainable, plus saving you expensive airfare. The reviews contain exactly the kind of information you need to make informed decisions; toll-free numbers, Web sites, and exact pricing for rooms, packages, individual treatments, meals and more. The book is affordable as well at $12.95, but you can probably get it even cheaper from big online discounters like Amazon.com (www.amazon.com) and Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com).
A second excellent resource for planning your spa vacation is Spa finder, a magazine and Web site (www.spafinder.com) geared toward spa travelers of any budget. A subscription is only $9.99 for a year (note that's six issues), but using the site is even cheaper-it's free! Online you'll find an archive of current and previously published articles on a wide-range of topics including personal travel experiences to destinations around the world, tips and instructions for at-home treatments and healthy recipes. There's also a section on current travel deals and packages, just click "Spa Travel" at the top of the mainpage, then click "Most Affordable" to see what's available. Most packages simply don't fall within a budget traveler's limits, but some do and they're well worth a look. Like the Cheapskate's Guide, you'll find online reviews and contact information for spas and resorts.
Have you taken a spa vacation recently? Do you have a tip to share on spa getaways? Tell us all about it in our Frugal Spa discussion by clicking here.