Tips for a manly spa day
August 10, 2021 3:02 AM Subscribe
I want to plan a spa day for me (a guy) and some guy friends that don't normally spa day. I've never spa-day'd, but the things that seem to fit the bill are Mani-pedis/ massage/ steam/ facials/ maybe a cut/shave. But I don't fully understand some basics.
Questions:
Do you have any recommendations for activities to "hit" for a spa day? What's the best bang for the buck for relaxation/feeling pampered? What kind of total budget would you expect for the day?
Are there any special considerations for a group of say - 4 guys, vs the usual couples/ladies?
In my head, there's a balance at play between multiple locations, and cost. If we got a shave at a barber, steam at a gym, then massages at a massage place, that sounds like it would be a lot cheaper than a luxury spa that did those treatments one after another. But, staying in one place sounds a lot more luxurious and like they might give you wine and stuff. How do you recommend balancing this? (Not really interested in DIY spa day).
Any specific recommendations in the Boston, MA area?
Any other general tips for a successful so day?
Questions:
Do you have any recommendations for activities to "hit" for a spa day? What's the best bang for the buck for relaxation/feeling pampered? What kind of total budget would you expect for the day?
Are there any special considerations for a group of say - 4 guys, vs the usual couples/ladies?
In my head, there's a balance at play between multiple locations, and cost. If we got a shave at a barber, steam at a gym, then massages at a massage place, that sounds like it would be a lot cheaper than a luxury spa that did those treatments one after another. But, staying in one place sounds a lot more luxurious and like they might give you wine and stuff. How do you recommend balancing this? (Not really interested in DIY spa day).
Any specific recommendations in the Boston, MA area?
Any other general tips for a successful so day?
A lot of the foofy full-service spas may have "spa day packages" that let you have as-you-like access to the steam rooms and pools and such if you get a treatment of some kind, or a bunch of treatments. For instance - this place in Brooklyn has a bunch of different packages (massage plus body scrub, massage plus stretch, scrub plus facial, massage plus scrub plus facial, etc.), or you can get things a la carte - and whatever you get, the fact that you're getting something entitles you to two hours' use of their steam rooms, saunas, and 3 pools.
So y'all could find a spa that lets you do different treatments like that, each of you pick and choose what you may want, and you book appointments at similar times - so that you can all show up a little before the first dude's appointment so you can all hit the steam room or the pools as a group, and then as each of you has your various appointments you just go do that while the rest of y'all keep chilling in the pool or the steam room or whatever.
And it is not weird at all for you to be 4 guys doing this, and no one would look at you funny. (I am assuming you would go for a spa that is more unisex, and there are a ton of those.) This is very much a unisex thing.
As for "what to get" - that's a pretty individual decision, and it can change based on the day. On previous visits to spas I've felt totally pampered by a scrub, but the last time I went I got a massage and stretch that targeted my tense knee muscles (I'm recovering from a broken knee) and that was EXACTLY what I needed.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:31 AM on August 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
So y'all could find a spa that lets you do different treatments like that, each of you pick and choose what you may want, and you book appointments at similar times - so that you can all show up a little before the first dude's appointment so you can all hit the steam room or the pools as a group, and then as each of you has your various appointments you just go do that while the rest of y'all keep chilling in the pool or the steam room or whatever.
And it is not weird at all for you to be 4 guys doing this, and no one would look at you funny. (I am assuming you would go for a spa that is more unisex, and there are a ton of those.) This is very much a unisex thing.
As for "what to get" - that's a pretty individual decision, and it can change based on the day. On previous visits to spas I've felt totally pampered by a scrub, but the last time I went I got a massage and stretch that targeted my tense knee muscles (I'm recovering from a broken knee) and that was EXACTLY what I needed.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:31 AM on August 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
The point of a spa day is to relax. There is almost literally nothing less relaxing than driving in Boston traffic. I'd rather have my toenails removed. Stay in one place.
For me, the grooming stuff doesn't matter as much, because I'm pretty competent at grooming myself. But I'd really really really dig a day of getting a massage and then sauna. Maybe a pool where I could take some leisurely laps without competing with people who are SWIMMING FOR FITNESS or old people recovering from hip injuries. And a hot tub.
Some hot towel stuff might be nice, too.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:10 AM on August 10, 2021
For me, the grooming stuff doesn't matter as much, because I'm pretty competent at grooming myself. But I'd really really really dig a day of getting a massage and then sauna. Maybe a pool where I could take some leisurely laps without competing with people who are SWIMMING FOR FITNESS or old people recovering from hip injuries. And a hot tub.
Some hot towel stuff might be nice, too.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:10 AM on August 10, 2021
Definitely stay in one place! Swanning about in robes is what makes it feel luxurious. You’ll get spa water and snacks and magazines and cozy chairs (mine you can order and pay for wine separately).
Staying in one place also helps if there’s one varying levels of interest or affordability in treatments; everyone gets to use the steam room, sauna, etc, regardless of how many services you book, so someone could spend $100 and someone could spend $800 and you’d still all get to hang out together.
posted by stellaluna at 7:08 AM on August 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
Staying in one place also helps if there’s one varying levels of interest or affordability in treatments; everyone gets to use the steam room, sauna, etc, regardless of how many services you book, so someone could spend $100 and someone could spend $800 and you’d still all get to hang out together.
posted by stellaluna at 7:08 AM on August 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
For me and my friends (of various genders including men), it's not a spa day unless there's some sort of massage involved, whether that's full-body-on-the-massage-table, a chair massage, or a long foot/leg massage during a pedicure.
My favorite spa days include massage and being in a space with a hot tub and at least one kind of sauna (dry or steam) and a lounge area. If I want to splurge or it's otherwise a special occasion, I'll add a mani/pedi or a facial.
Some tips:
- Yes, definitely pick one place and hang out there! It may be slightly more expensive in dollars, but will be much less stressful and more luxurious. Look for a Russian or Korean bath house (for a flexible and low-frills experience) or a hotel spa (for more luxury and likely more service options). Make sure you get facility access (showers, hot tub, steam rooms, etc.)--usually it's included if you purchase a service like a massage, sometimes you have to pay a nominal fee on top of that.
- No one is going to blink about 4 guys going out for a spa day. You should confirm whether the place you're going has gender-segregated facilities or not, and if suits are required for the hot tub/sauna/etc. areas--if they're mixed-gender spaces, they may require bathing suits, and if they're gender-segregated, you may be able to be nakey and free (subject to your and your friends' comfort level).
- If you're new to facials, go with a gentle beginner's one. The ones with more active chemicals and stronger exfoliation can leave your face bright red for the rest of the day, which might be fine if you're going directly home, but much less so if you're going out later that night. It can also have unexpected effects such as breakouts with more sensitive skin--the opposite of a rejuvenating experience!
- Similar with face-shaving--you need to prepare for it by not being shaven beforehand, and you don't know how your faces will react to the service. If you're all new to it, I might recommend skipping this part unless it's something you're specifically interested in and looking forward to--and in that case, find a place that does the full facial-and-shave thing, they'll take care to be gentle, and I'm told by facial hair havers that it's very pleasant and indulgent.
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:27 PM on August 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
My favorite spa days include massage and being in a space with a hot tub and at least one kind of sauna (dry or steam) and a lounge area. If I want to splurge or it's otherwise a special occasion, I'll add a mani/pedi or a facial.
Some tips:
- Yes, definitely pick one place and hang out there! It may be slightly more expensive in dollars, but will be much less stressful and more luxurious. Look for a Russian or Korean bath house (for a flexible and low-frills experience) or a hotel spa (for more luxury and likely more service options). Make sure you get facility access (showers, hot tub, steam rooms, etc.)--usually it's included if you purchase a service like a massage, sometimes you have to pay a nominal fee on top of that.
- No one is going to blink about 4 guys going out for a spa day. You should confirm whether the place you're going has gender-segregated facilities or not, and if suits are required for the hot tub/sauna/etc. areas--if they're mixed-gender spaces, they may require bathing suits, and if they're gender-segregated, you may be able to be nakey and free (subject to your and your friends' comfort level).
- If you're new to facials, go with a gentle beginner's one. The ones with more active chemicals and stronger exfoliation can leave your face bright red for the rest of the day, which might be fine if you're going directly home, but much less so if you're going out later that night. It can also have unexpected effects such as breakouts with more sensitive skin--the opposite of a rejuvenating experience!
- Similar with face-shaving--you need to prepare for it by not being shaven beforehand, and you don't know how your faces will react to the service. If you're all new to it, I might recommend skipping this part unless it's something you're specifically interested in and looking forward to--and in that case, find a place that does the full facial-and-shave thing, they'll take care to be gentle, and I'm told by facial hair havers that it's very pleasant and indulgent.
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:27 PM on August 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
I don't think there are any in Boston, but if you are willing to travel a Korean Spa may be of interest.
posted by oceano at 7:27 PM on August 10, 2021
posted by oceano at 7:27 PM on August 10, 2021
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