It’s been over a year since the global health crisis began. For many, it has been a time spent cooped up indoors, or restricted to a few safe spaces. The last vacation time passed by with most of us unable to go anywhere. But as the vaccine rollout program progresses, and holiday resorts, hotels, spas and other self-care destinations re-open, many people are looking forward to a much-needed vacation. For burnt-out mums, the prospect of going to a resort spa to get some much-needed relaxation, is enough to ease the strain of the pandemic. Spas have thrown a twist to their offering, inviting parents to bring along their children and let them enjoy the relaxing pleasures of a spa date.
According to a piece by In Style, spas have taken a more inclusive approach to children because many parents do not have anyone to take care of their children during their vacation time. It also reflects a new approach to resort packages: hospitality managers are focusing on providing packages to help families spend quality time together. For instance, at the recently opened Rush Creek Spa at Yosemite, families are encouraged to dip in the hot tub, enjoy the mineral showers, spend time in the sensory room, among other activities at the spa. The focus is on getting families to do things together.
Another example is that of Shore Lodge spa in Idaho,where parents can arrange for their children aged 13 years and older, to get facials as well as enjoy a “State of Unwind” package.
It’s not just in America that resort spas have become more family-oriented. In Hawaii and Mexico, spa packages have opened up to include children. A great example of this is the Family Getaway package offered at the Zadun spa in Cabo. The package offers yoga sessions and mani-pedis for children as well as massages for parents.
A recently opened luxury resort, Las Alamandas in Puerto Vallarta, offers children an “Anti-stress massage”, mini-reflexology and pedicures.
Not everyone is excited by this. Though wealthy families have enjoyed the pleasures of luxury resorts for some time, spas have always been different. The great spas, like Dermani Medspa, are sanctuaries from the rest of the world. Much as parents love their children, children can be stressful. It’s for this reason that the atypical spa is usually kid-free. Indeed, across the United States, most spas still do not permit children inside. The reason is simple: children do not represent tranquility and relaxation. Since the self-care and wellness industries exploded across the world, spas have been havens of tranquility in a sea of troubles. People go to spas to disconnect from all stresses. From the pitter-patter of little feet, to the demands of works, spas give their clientele a space to breathe. At a time in which the pandemic has enforced loads of unstructured family time, largely supervised by women, it seems strange to turn “me time” into another extension of family time. It remains to be seen just how successful these family-themed packages will be.