$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. 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 versus 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 might be a better fit than a pricier destination spa.

· Timing is, in fact, everything. “Timing can be key to saving,” Kleist says. “The off-season can be helpful,” she says, especially in seasonally oriented areas like the North East during autumn. Also, try booking a stay from Monday thru Thursday versus a weekend trip.

· E-spa savings. Kleist recommends searching property Web sites rather than bulk saving sites like Expedia or Travelocity. If you're interested in a specific spa or resort, start there. It might 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 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, like 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 ten. A host of larger spas offer group discounts, says Kleist, usually for ten 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?” She suggests finding out what you like first before delving into packages.

· 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.