Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the questions that we are asked most often by our website visitors – hopefully there will be an answer to your query here.  But if not, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us(team@bodyandsoul.world). Spa guides and information is available throughout the bodyandsoul.world website.

Question: What is a Spa?
Answer: The word spa comes from the Latin phrase, “salus per aquae,” or “health through water.”
Mineral waters and hot springs – the original spas – have been part of
relaxation and healing in many cultures for centuries. Towns with hot
springs grew into popular destinations and retreats offering ‘cures’ for the
symptoms of a wide range of ailments. Today these traditional spas still
exist though in general the emphasis is now on ‘Wellbeing’ treatments to
maintain good health rather than to cure illness. The understanding of the
word ‘spa’ now also encompasses spa centres in hotels which offer
luxury and pampering treatments for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
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Question: How do I decide which spa is best for me?
Answer: We have classified the spas according to their treatment type or speciality i.e Thermal Spas,Thalassotherapy Spas, Ayurveda Spas etc. A brief description of the different types is available in this FAQ section. We also clasify the spas by destination, if you would prefer to choose your spa by where it is in the world. It is worth noting that many spas today fall into more than one category i.e. most Thalassotherapy and Thermal Spas also offer beauty and relaxation treatments, and several of the Spa Hotels not only offer treatments for beauty and relaxation, but also specialise in another type of therapy for example Ayurveda or Thalasso.
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Question: What is a Thalassotherapy Spa?
Answer: Thalassotherapy spas use seawater which is pumped direct from the sea, cleaned and then heated up to a ‘warm body’ temperature and then used for the treatments. These centres can tend to be quite functional and ‘clinical’ in feel with a very matter of fact approach by the therapists to your treatments.
Each treatment lasts around 20 minutes, and a typical programme will consist of 4 thalasso
treatments a day made up of 3 individual (a combination of bubbling baths, underwater massage, affusion showers, jet showers, and algae wraps) and 1 group treatment (aqua-aerobics or supervised use of jets in a hydro-pool). In a traditional thalassotherapy programme the individual treatments all involve seawater or seawater products and do not include beauty treatments such as massage, facials or manicure, though some will include a dry massage on alternate days.
However, if you take a programme such as Beauty or Anti-Cellulite there will be an additional daily treatment on top of the 4 thalasso sessions that is specifically a ‘beauty’ (e.g. facial) or Anti-Cellulite (e.g. lymphatic drainage) treatment.These will also tend to be 30 minute treatments. The thalasso treatment programme will be tailored to suit your specific needs.
For any programmes of over 2 days, all of the thalasso centres state that a visit to their doctor for a brief consultation before commencing your programme is essential.This is a basic check-up where the doctor will generally take your blood-pressure, check your weight and ask whether there are any specific contraindications to you taking any of the treatments. Following this consultation, your thalasso programme will be put together to take into consideration any special requirements that you may have.
A thalassotherapy programme is ideal if you want to relax and de-stress, if you want relief from general aches and pains including back ache, or if you have problems sleeping.The seawater treatments also have a general de-toxifying effect and so can be beneficial for reducing cellulite and for weight loss in combination with a low calorie diet.
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Question: What is a Thermal Spa?
Answer: Thermal Spring Spas have an on-site source of natural mineral or thermal water used in Hydrotherapy treatments.
Traditionally the thermal waters were used to treat medical complaints, however today the emphasis at these spas is changing to offer well-being and ‘preventative’ therapy. The thermal water is used for baths, showers and inhalations in combination with relaxing, beauty and pampering treatments.
Many Thermal Spring Spas use their mineral water to make healing mud or ‘fango’. The mud used in fango therapy is made by soaking earth with natural thermal water over a period of several months so that the resulting mature mud or fango is enriched with certain chemical and biological elements that have proven therapeutic value. In a classic Fangotherapy programme on a daily basis the thermal mud is applied to various parts of the body, the ‘patient’ is then wrapped in a warm wrap for around 20mins while the body absorbs the healing minerals from the thermal mud. The mud wrap is then followed by an ozoneized thermal bath and then a relaxing massage.
Traditionally thermal waters and mud treatments were recommended for anyone with joint or muscle complaints, but mud wraps and thermal baths are also excellent to relieve general aches and pains and for pure relaxation.
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Question: What is an Ayurveda Spa?
Answer: Ayurveda ‘The Science of Life’ began in India and is the oldest known health system in the world. It originated over 5,000 years ago and was put into written form 3,000 years ago in ancient scripts called ‘Veda’. It is a traditional healing system that respects the human individuality: each person’s health is made up of the harmonious interatctio of the body, mind and the living environment.

Ayurveda aims to prevent and heal diseases and their symptoms, strengthen the immune system, increase the body’s geneal wellbeing and vitality and delay the ageing process. In Ayurvedic philosphy, the body is comprised of three life energies, or doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These constitutions shape the physical and mental character of each person. Diseases result from the body’s imbalance of these three doshas. . Imbalances result from everyday living which includes problems such as unhealthy eating, stress, negative feelings, lack of exercise, tension, air and noise pollution. Some of the
symptoms of dosha inbalances are tension, insomnia, pain and depression. While Western medicine identifies the disease and then cures the symptoms, Ayurveda is much deeper and seeks to cure the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

The Ayurveda treatment and diet brings the three doshas together on an equal level, thus bringing about harmonious balance within the person. Ayurvedic treatment programmes are designed for each individual after consultation with the physician. Treatment programmes depend on the guest’s state of health and any existing medical conditions. A basic rejuvenation programme may consist of daily oil massage of head and body, followed by a herbal steam bath or a herbal bath. Other treatments which may be prescribed by the doctor include: herbal pastes and poultices; head oil baths; nasal treatment; facial treatment; purgative therapy and acupuncture. Most Ayurveda centres also offer daily yoga and meditation as part of the programme.
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Question: What is a Destination Spa?
Answer: A Destination Spa is a facility where the primary purpose is to provide lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through a combination of exercise, healthy eating, wellness education, spa and well-being treatments. In contrast to a Hotel spa, where some people will be using the spa facilities while others only enjoy the hotel facilities, at a Destination Spa everyone (or the majority anyway) will be there for the spa experience.

Destination Spas are good places to visit if you are travelling alone as there are organised classes and activities throughout the day, as well as often the option of joining a ‘group table’ for meals giving the opportunity to meet other like-minded guests. Personal training and nutritional guidance are also often available.
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Question: What is a Medical Spa?
Answer: These spas offer a very traditional medical approach to spa. there will be doctors and other medical professionals such as physiotherapists who provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in more formal ‘clinical’ environment.

These spas are excelent for clients who which to cure specific problems such as excess weight, rheumatism, psoriasis or back pain as well as for preventative and rejuvenating therapies. Although most medical spas do offer beauty and relaxation treatments to complement the medical programme, generally medical spas are not recommended for htose spa-goers who enjoy a pampering ‘fluffy towel’ environment
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Question: What is a Hotel Spa?
Answer: A Spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, with fitness and wellness components and usually spa cuisine menu choices.
These spas differ from Destination Spas as even though a significant number of people staying at the hotel will be there for the spa programmes and facilities, there will also be people who are staying at the hotel but not using the spa. Most Thalasso and Thermal Spas could also be classified as Hotel Spas, however at a Hotel Spa the spa is a facility offered to guests staying at the hotel rather than the reason for the hotel being there in the first place (as with Thalasso/Thermal spas). Hotel Spas have excellent spa facilities and offer a very wide variety of treatment programmes, they may appeal to the spa-goer who would like to combine a spa holiday with other holiday activities.
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Question: What is a Relaxation and Pampering Spa?
Answer: A centre owned by and/or located within a hotel or resort providing professionally administered beauty and relaxation treatments. The spa centres in some of these resorts can be described as ‘pocket sized’ spas with between 2 and 6 treatment rooms, but none the less provide a high standard of beauty and relaxation treatment provided by professional therapists.
These resorts differ from the Hotel Spas in that the ‘spa experience’ does not extend outside the spa centre into the hotel. In some cases there are exercise classes available but generally spa cuisine is not offered as part of the daily menu (though in some instances it may be available ‘on request’). Some of the most luxurious spas fall into this category, and are perfect for clients wanting top class pampering as part of a relaxing holiday.
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Question: What does my holiday include?
Answer: Spa holidays can be tailor-made to fit your individual requirements. Your holiday ‘package’ can
include as much or as little as you require. For example you may want a
package consisting of accommodation with full board, spa package, flights
and transfers, or perhaps you only want to book the accommodation
with breakfast and a couple of treatments. If you know what exactly what you want, then booking online is a breeze. Just read the fine print or email the spa’s reservation team directly if you have any questions. If you’re not sure and nervous even just a bit, fill out the enquiry form available on the spa’s web page and we’ll have one of our preferred travel providers get in touch and guide you to the perfect spa holiday!
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Question: Can I take a spa holiday for any duration?
Answer: Specific programmes taken at Thalassotherapy centres,Thermal Spas, Medical Spas and Destination
spas often have minimum stays of 6 or 7 nights although many of
these resorts do also offer a short break or introduction programme
for general relaxation and anti stress for a shorter duration. We advise that you talk through the options for your spa
holiday with the spa’s reservation team, so that they can tailor a holiday for you for the number of nights
that you require.
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Question: My partner and I would like to go away together, I want to be pampered in the spa but my partner does not. Can I book a holiday where only one of us has treatments?
Answer: Yes, no problem! You can generally ask for a quote on a stay that includes
treatments for you and ‘room only’ for your partner. Spas with golf courses attached are particularly good at these sorts of packages.
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Question: I’d like to stay at a particular spa hotel, but I don’t realy want to take a full treatments programme. Can I design my own programme?
Answer: Yes, at most hotels and resorts you can get a price for a stay
without treatments and you can put your own programme together by
choosing from the individual ‘menu’ of treatments offered by the resort.
It is worth bearing in mind that usually there is price advantage in
booking a set programme of treatments, and that even when booking ‘a
la carte’, treatments should be booked in advance of your arrival at the
resort, to avoid the disappointment of there being no available space at
the spa centre when you arrive.
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Question: Can I change the treatments included in a package?
Answer: Most spas are not willing to alter set packages, although occasionally
it is possible to swap one treatment for another of equal value. If there
are several treatments that do not appeal to you within a programme, it
is advised not to take the programme, but to book treatments ‘a la
carte’ (see previous FAQ)
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Question: Is a transfer from the airport included in the cost of my holiday?
Answer: In most cases we will include a private taxi transfer in the cost of your holiday.There are a few exceptions where we will book the taxi to meet you, but you will need to pay the cost directly to the driver. In all cases the driver will meet you in the arrivals hall of the relevant airport holding a sign with your name and/or the name of the hotel. At a very few destinations the hotel does not provide a taxi transfer service as it is very easy to find a taxi on arrival at the airport and the rates are standardised so there will be no chance of you being over charged for your journey. We are also happy to arrange car hire if you would prefer to have the flexibility afforded by having your own car. Please do contact the Reservations Team to discuss your requirements.
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Question: 
Answer: The accommodation varies considerably between hotels, and for this reason we have given our own indication of the level of accommodation that can be expected. However you can be assured that it is all of a high standard in line with the category of hotel and all rooms have en-suite facilities, usually with a bath and shower, mini-bar, safe, telephone, satellite TV, and hairdryers, however for specific details of exactly what facilities you will find on your arrival, please do check with the spa directly.
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Question: When on holiday I generally really enjoy trying out the local restaurants, I would therefore prefer only to pre-book breakfast, to allow myself the flexibility of exploring the local cuisine – is this possible?
Answer: In most hotel spas and resorts this is absolutely possible as we fully
understand that our clients would like flexibility for their eating
arrangements. However at Thalassotherapy,Thermal, Medical, Destination
and Ayurveda spas most programmes include half or full board, and there
is no reduction on the price if you do not take the meals included. And
obviously if you are on a weight loss programme then a full board
(3 meals a day) low calorie diet will be an essential part of
the programme.
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Question: I’m a vegetarian, will there be options on the menu to cater for me?
Answer: Surprisingly the answer to that is ‘not always’, most of the spa resorts
we work with do offer vegetarian meals and can cater for other special
diets on request. However there are some notable exceptions
particularly in France, Spain and Italy where this is not the case.These
resorts are in the minority, but it is important that you notify the
reservations team early on in the booking process that you would like a
vegetarian diet so that we can check that the particular resort that you
are interested in does offer a vegetarian menu.
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Question: Do all the resorts offer a low calorie menu and/or healthy spa cuisine?
Answer: Some do and some don’t. Most Thalassotherapy,Thermal, Medical, Destination and Ayurveda resorts do offer a spa or low calorie menu either in a separate ‘dietetique’ restaurant or a personalised diet served in the main restaurant. Some Spa Hotels and resorts offer
‘healthy spa options’ within their daily menu, but many do not as clients travelling to these resorts want a true pampering and relaxation holiday where they want to enjoy delicious food and lovely wines as much as the massage and beauty treatments. Please discuss your requirements with the Erna Low Body & Soul Reservations Team.
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Question: I would like to have book some additional treatments for my stay, must I do this before I arrive at the spa?
Answer: We strongly advise you to pre-book treatments to avoid disappointment on arrival.
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Question: Can I choose the times that I have my spa treatments?
Answer: Generally the spa centre will allocate your treatments times according to availability over the duration of your stay. However, if you would like to have treatments at a particular time to fit in with other plans, you should let spa’s Reservations Team know your preferred timings when you make your booking.
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Question: My treatment programme includes a ‘Medical Consultation’ but I’m healthy so why do I need this?
Answer: Many Spa and Thalassotherapy programmes include a ‘medical
consultation’ – this is generally a fairly brief check-up to ensure that you are
in general good health as there are some treatments that should not be
taken if you are suffering from certain medical conditions such as high
blood pressure. The medical consultation will also give you the option of
explaining what you would like to get out of your treatment programme,
so that the doctor can tailor the programme for your particular
requirements. At most of the French Thalassotherapy Centres the medical
consultation is not included in the price of your stay, and will be paid for
locally (the cost is usually around £20). For these centres, if you do not wish
to have the medical consultation, it is necessary to bring a letter from your
doctor at home confirming that you are in good health. Please note you
should always advise the spa of any medical condition that
you have (including pregnancy)
before your arrival. At resorts where the emphasis is on beauty and
relaxation, the consultation may be replaced by a health questionnaire, and
the spa reception will arrange your programme for you.
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Question: I’m pregnant – does this affect which treatments I can have?
Answer: Yes it does, many treatments involving baths, wraps and massage should
not be taken by pregnant ladies. There are a few spa hotels
which offer a ‘pre-natal’ programme. We would advise that you
choose a spa hotel which offers beauty and pampering treatments, and
then choose treatments such as facials, manicure, head and shoulder
massage etc on an ‘a la carte’ basis.
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Question: I want a spa holiday away from children, where is best to go?
Answer: Most Destination Spa Resorts do not accept any children under the age of 16 or 18. The majority of Spa Hotels do accept children, however their Spa Centres do not allow those under 16 to use the facilities (except the indoor pools at certain times of the day). To
ensure a relaxed ambience, we also advise that you avoid taking your spa holiday during school holiday periods (including half terms) as some of the Spa Hotels we work with, though peaceful havens for most of the year, can become very busy with families during school holiday periods. Please ask our Reservations Team for more advice.
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Question: I would like to take my children with me on holiday, but still be able to have some time to myself for pampering. Is that possible?
Answer: Many spa resorts are family friendly, though children are not allowed in to the Spa Centre. The truly family friendly host a Kids Club so that you can relax and be pampered in peace.
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Question: I would like to take my baby with me, do any spas have a creche facility?
Answer: For new mothers, there are several Thalassotherapy Centres in France which offer Post Natal programmes, and have nurseries available so that your baby can be cared for whilst you have your treatments (BCG vaccination is often required, or the baby’s vaccination certificate). Most Spa Hotels can arrange baby sitting ‘on request’.
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Question: Will the staff at the spa speak English, as I can’t speak the local language?
Answer: Whilst our featured hotels are cosmopolitan and key personnel will always have a good standard of English, you will often find that the therapists do not have more than a few words. Generally this does not prove a problem, as there will usually be someone at the spa reception who can help with any queries that you have. Many of our clients are happy to get by with hand signals and a smattering of the local language, and exercise classes can usually be followed even if the instructor is teaching in the local language. Where there is a consultation before you commence your treatments the doctors will either speak English, or you should request for someone to be present who can translate.
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Question: I am going on holiday by myself – which spa be most suitable?
Answer: Whereas very few of the holidays we offer are specifically set up for singles. A large percentage of our clients do travel by themselves, it is often the best way to get the most out of a relaxing break – not having to worry about anyone else but yourself! The more traditional Thermal Spas, Thalassotherapy Centres, Medical and Destination Spas are very
used to this and you certainly will not be the only one on your own. However whether somewhere is suitable or not does depend to a large extent on each individual client and what they are looking for in their holiday, so please do contact our Reservations Team who can discuss with you which resorts might most closely match your requirements.
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Question: Will I be the only man there?
Answer: Although the majority of clients at spa resorts still do tend to be female, this is a decreasing majority, and there are an increasing number of men who are discovering in particular the anti-stress, relaxation and fitness benefits of a spa programme. Many resorts also have excellent sports facilities and are close to first class golf
courses, so even if the actual treatment part of a programme does not appeal, there are plenty of other ways to make the most of a spa-related holiday.
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Question: I’ve heard that in some countries it is normal not to wear swimming costumes in the sauna – is this true?
Answer: In many spa centres there are separate saunas and steam facilities for men and women, though in others these facilities are shared. Generally where saunas etc are shared between sexes, swimming costumes are worn, but there are exceptions for example in Malta, Austria and Germany where naked mixed gender saunaring is the norm! But as each resort is different, if these points are important to you please mention this and our reservations team can advise accordingly.
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