The Ultimate Spa Day: Packing Essentials For The Perfect Relaxing Experience

what to bring on a spa day

Planning a spa day? It's important to pack the right things to make the most of your visit. While spas will typically provide you with a robe, towel and slippers, you'll want to bring a few extra items to ensure you're comfortable and prepared for your treatments.

Firstly, you'll want to bring swimwear. Most spas have pools, hot tubs and saunas, so a swimsuit or bikini is essential. If you're planning on having a massage, you can wear your swimwear bottoms, change into a pair of pants, or wear the disposable paper ones provided by the spa. It's also a good idea to bring a spare set of swimwear, so you don't have to stay in a wet swimsuit all day.

You'll also want to bring some comfortable clothing to change into after your treatments. This could include yoga pants, a loose vest or t-shirt, and a jumper or sweatshirt. If your spa has a gym or exercise classes, don't forget to pack your workout gear and trainers.

Other essentials include deodorant, lip balm, hair ties or a headband, and a hairbrush. If you wear contact lenses or glasses, be sure to bring a spare pair, along with solution and a case.

To relax and unwind, bring a book, magazine or notebook to read in the relaxation areas. You might also want to pack some mindfulness apps or calming music to listen to, but be mindful of other guests and keep the volume low.

Finally, bring a good tote bag or waterproof bag to carry all your essentials and keep them safe from any water.

Now you're ready for your spa day!

Characteristics Values
Clothing Something light, comfortable and easy to change out of and store. Non-restrictive garments such as yoga bottoms, lounge pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, cardigans, casual dresses, etc.
Footwear Flip-flops, open-toed sandals, slippers, trainers/sports shoes.
Underwear Comfortable underwear.
Swimwear A swimsuit, bikini or shorts.
Toiletries Toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, skincare products, lip balm, makeup, etc.
Accessories A waterproof bag, a spare bag for wet clothes, a towel, a hairbrush, hair ties/headband, sunglasses, etc.
Reading material A book, magazine, or notebook.
Food and drink A small healthy snack, water.

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Comfortable clothing and underwear

When preparing for a spa day, it's important to prioritise comfort. This includes the underwear you choose to wear.

Firstly, consider the treatments you've booked. If your treatment requires full or partial nudity, you will be given time to undress beforehand. If you've booked a massage, you will be asked to undress to your comfort level. Communicate your preferences to your massage technician so that you feel as relaxed as possible.

In general, it's recommended to wear comfortable underwear, as you will be wearing a robe for most treatments. If you plan on using the spa's swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub facilities, you will need to wear swimwear. It's a good idea to bring a spare set if you're staying overnight, so you don't have to put on soggy swimwear the next day.

Some treatments, such as hot soaks, mud baths, or sauna rooms, may also require a bathing suit. If you're wearing a bikini, that will work. If you're wearing a swimsuit, you can roll it down to the bottom half, but some people may find this uncomfortable. In this case, you can change into a pair of pants or disposable paper pants, which most spas provide.

If you're worried about wrinkles, non-wrinkle clothing, such as cardigans or casual dresses, can be a good option for storing in lockers. It's also worth noting that jewellery can get in the way of treatments and may feel cumbersome during soaks or baths, so it's best to leave it at home.

Ultimately, spas want their guests to feel comfortable and relaxed. Choose underwear that makes you feel at ease and don't be afraid to communicate your preferences and concerns to the staff.

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Swimwear

If you're planning to make use of the spa's facilities, such as the pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub, swimwear is essential. There is no preference when it comes to the type of swimwear you choose – be it a swimsuit, bikini, or shorts – the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to contact the spa ahead of your visit to inquire about the dress code.

If you're planning to have a massage, you have a few options. If you're wearing a bikini, you can keep the top on and simply remove the bottoms. If you're wearing a one-piece swimsuit, you can roll it down so that you're only wearing the bottom half. Alternatively, you can change into a pair of disposable paper pants, which most spas provide, or bring your own underwear or pants to change into.

It's a good idea to bring at least two sets of swimwear for your spa day. That way, you can change into a dry swimsuit after your treatments or during lunch. This will ensure you don't have to sit around in a wet, soggy swimsuit all day.

If you're planning to use the spa's gym facilities, don't forget to pack appropriate trainers or sports shoes. These types of shoes are often restricted to dry areas for hygiene reasons, so you may want to bring a pair of flip-flops or slippers to wear in the changing rooms and around the pool area.

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Toiletries

While spas will usually provide you with deluxe products, you might want to bring some personal toiletries to use before you leave.

If you wear contact lenses, it's a good idea to bring a contact lens case and solution, especially if you're concerned about products getting into your eyes during treatments.

You might also want to bring your own shampoo and conditioner, as well as skincare products such as moisturiser and eye cream.

Other toiletries to bring include deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and lip balm.

If you plan to reapply makeup after your treatments, remember to bring that along too.

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Reading material

It is advised to keep your reading material in a waterproof bag, especially if you plan to spend time near swimming pools or in thermal rooms, to prevent your books or magazines from getting wet. Additionally, bringing a tote bag or a large bag to carry your reading material and other essentials is suggested.

While reading, it is important to be mindful of other guests and keep the volume low if you are listening to audiobooks or reading e-books on electronic devices. Spas are meant to be mobile-free zones, so it is recommended to leave your devices at home or keep them on silent mode.

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Flip-flops or sliders

If you plan on using the pool, jacuzzi, or any other water-based facilities at the spa, it's a good idea to bring your own pair of flip-flops or sliders. These will come in handy when walking around the spa, particularly in wet areas. They can also be useful after a pedicure, as they will protect your newly painted nails from smudging or chipping.

Most spas will provide you with slippers, but these can sometimes get soggy in swimming or thermal rooms. Bringing your own footwear ensures that you have something comfortable and dry to walk around in. It's also more hygienic, as it prevents your feet from coming into direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.

If you're only planning on getting beauty treatments and massages, you might not need flip-flops or sliders. In this case, comfortable house slippers or disposable slippers provided by the spa may be sufficient. However, if you plan to use any water-based facilities, you will need footwear that is water-resistant and slip-proof.

It's worth noting that some spas have specific rules about footwear. For example, some spas may request that you bring indoor-only flip-flops or slippers to maintain hygiene standards. Others may provide disposable slippers for use in certain areas, while allowing you to bring your own footwear for common areas. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check with the spa beforehand to understand their policies and recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

Spas want their guests to be as comfortable as possible, so non-restrictive garments are encouraged. This could include yoga bottoms, lounge pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies. You will likely be given a robe, slippers, and a towel upon arrival, but you can also bring your own. If you plan on swimming, remember to bring swimwear.

Bring a bag with essentials such as a change of clothes, a book, and any beauty products you might want to apply after your treatment. If you plan on making use of the spa's amenities, be sure to pack gym clothes, a swimsuit, and toiletries. If you wear contact lenses, bring a case and solution.

It's best to leave valuables, electronic devices, and jewelry at home or in your hotel room. Spas are mobile-free zones, so you won't be able to take devices into treatment rooms or communal facilities.

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