Who Visits a Spa? Escapists and Hedonists
Yesterday I listed the 21 variables on why a person visits a spa and asked you to list the top 3 and bottom 3. According to Boger, the top 3 are:
8 (to relieve stress)
4 (to feel relaxed)
14 (to escape from daily life)
The bottom 3 starting with #21:
11 (to feel young)
12 (to enjoy)
5 (to feel refreshed)
Interestingly, for those that posted none got all 3 top or bottom.
The study goes on to identify two groups of people that visit spas- Escapists and Hedonists.
Escapists love quiet areas, private reading areas, no cell phones and a place for "cocooning."
Hedonists are searching for excitement and interaction among family and friends. This group tends to be noisy and may disturb the Escapists’ spa-goers. Escapists and Hedonists don’t mix.
I’m an Escapist. I want to be alone, relax, nap and the only thing I want to hear is the sound of spa music. Sometimes however I’m at the spa at a bunch of Hedonists (brewski’s) show up and all they do is talk and make noise like they are at a baseball game. They completely ruin the experience but they claim since they pay the same entrance fee, they can do what they want.
The lesson here is for spas to cater to one group or the other to be truly successful. Larger spas may figure out a way to cater to both with different rooms and restrictions.
Tomorrow I’ll write about services used in the spa followed by demographics and then we can see where we all fit in.
Here is a closing question for you: Do you view a spa as a luxury (once-a-year treat for birthday or special occasion) or necessity (once-a-month) to recharge?
Happy Tuesday!
August 26th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I am an escapist as well. The last thing I want to do when I’m in a spa is talk. It is a luxury for me. I don’t go very often because I can’t afford it, not because I wouldn’t love to go once a month. Maybe some day!
August 26th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I work in the spa business, and I’ve actually come across several that are mixed!!! I’ve had someone on my table before complain to me over and over again how they can’t stand people who talk and talk and ruin their quiet time … but the entire time I’m working on them, they talk and talk.. and talk…
kinda funny.
Most people visit once a month, or every other week. Unfortunately though the way the economy is, Massage is still considered a luxury. So it gets cut. However, I have recently joined up with a chiropractic office, and a lot of insurance companies WILL COVER the cost of a massage IF it is in a medical setting!! So keep that in mind!!!!
August 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
P.S. my favorite is a client who falls asleep and starts snoring!!!!
August 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I would love to go once a week but due to the costs involved, I only treat myself once in a while.
I too am an excapist. I want to be relaxed, hear the calming music and snooze if possible.
To me, hearing people talk is not relaxing. How can you really relax with commotion going on? I know I can’t and then when I leave, I feel that I didn’t get my full experience that I wanted and that would make me think twice about going back again.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hey Lar, I picked the same TOP 3!
I’m definitely an escapist. I like to have time by myself to just relax, kick back and enjoy my own company. I’m not big on big get togethers, especially in a spa like environment.
A trip to the spa would be a luxury for me. I wish I had the money to make it a necessity.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I’m an escapist. When I go to the spa (which isn’t very often…due to cost of things right now
) I like to just relax, and I’d rather the person not talk…tap me when it’s time to flip over…and tap me when it’s over. Seriously, the more quiet, the better. The soothing spa setting is absolutley amazing…and I wish I could afford to go more often…
August 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I would love to get a massage. The only massages I get are once every 2 months and they are for a back injury. (not enjoyable). If I could afford to go to the spa I would! One day
August 26th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I am an escapist but I do have to hold back sometimes on talking. Woo is in my top 5 and I always want to get to know the people treating me. It is really the only quiet time that I have so I am getting better on just chilling.
I get certificates as gifts but I usually spend time at the spa in the winter because summers are so busy.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I’m going to try to make it a priority, I have set a goal to cut back on one of my vices that probably will cover some of the cost. I going to start saving that money and see how long it takes to cover the cost. By rewarding myself it will give me the incentative to keep going and I will be a lot healthier, feel special and less stressed.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
My husband got me a gift certificate for a hot stone massage, reflexology, and a facial at Tamara’s Spa. I know where I’ll be next weekend.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Yea, my husband got me an hour deep tissue massage for christmas last year at Lagato’s in downtown Farmington…it was amazing. And it wasn’t too bad actually…only $60 for an hour. It was my first massage, and it actually made me quite sick afterward…but the lady said that, that’s normal with deep tissue massages.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
It all depends on the finances. I would love to consider a masage a necessity, but because my budget is so tight, alas it is a luxury. Boo! I have to drawn the line somewhere on my own services. LOL! Have you ever tried to give yourself a massage… doesnt work very well;)
August 26th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Signifigant others and spouses are there for massages!
August 26th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I am definately an escapist. When I go to a spa I don’t want anyone to bother me and that includes my service provider. Unfortunately, we have all had that pedicurist that goes on and on (blah, blah, blah) when we are trying to read our magazine. I once had a massage therapist answer her cell phone during my massage! I used to be a “once a month” person - these days I never seem to get to the spa:-(