Now that you've read Steps 1-5, you're ready for steps 5 though 10 in planning and hosting your spa party.

How to Host Your Spa Party, continued

6. Stations

Stations come into play with larger spa party events. Now that you've determine how big your group is, the various space determinations and the type of treatments, you can decide if you want to plan your massage event in terms of areas of specialty.

Perhaps you want to organize your groups by service modality, gender, length of treatment, type of equipment. By having guests move from one location to another it allows for your guests to talk amongst themselves about what they've experienced and/or things to come. In effect, massage and spa stations create a festive and fun atmosphere.

If you're wanting more of a zone out space for guests, having them stay put and the therapists coming to them would facilitate that intention. Tip: Decide on a work flow based on desired client outcome.

7. Schedule

How will all of this work? Well, if you have a handy dandy notebook use it to keep things organized and on track. Important elements to have written somewhere include: guests' names, start and end time of service, treatment type, and station location (if applicable). Once this is notated somewhere and made available at your spa party, the last thing to decide is who will facilitate the schedule. It doesn't matter if the responsibility lays in one of three courts:

• the guest
• the spa party or mobile massage event planning company
• the host

However, whichever schedule coordinator you choose, or some rough combination of all three, we all know the saying, "when everybody's in charge, nobody's in charge." Tip: Determine one central person to be the official coordinator at your spa party.

8. Setup and Breakdown

It's just not a spa party without those added touches of ambiance. Plus, the bare bones necessities of doing massage will need to be brought on-site. That means, someone will actually need to set up massage tables, purchase oil and lotion, provide clean linens and perhaps have water and edibles for your guests. And, once it's all setup, it must all come down.

Tip: Allow enough time for setting up for you spa party. It's better to allot enough time and have time to relax before your guests arrive than it is to be doing last minute preparations.

How much time to allot? Well, typically the larger the spa party, the more time needed to set up. Additionally it also will depend on the services being provided and the accompanying equipment necessary. Lastly, such mundane things as whether you have access to a dolly or other moving equipment may affect set up time for large sites. I'd say at least an hour for setup for a large group and perhaps 20 minutes for smaller groups.

9. Add-Ons

There's a basic spa party and then there are deluxe spa parties. Often the difference between the two comes down to the creativity of your massage event planning company and the designated spa party budget.

Spa equipment can really heighten your spa party treatments. In particular, paraffin wax machines, hot towel cabbies, hot stone roasters and such can add a layer of decadence to a standard massage treatment. How about dry brushes or other add-ons to the basic services? Chocolate spa parties anyone?

Tip: Search your favorite spa menus online or in person and think about offering elements of their signature treatments.

10. Client Gifts and Feedback

A spa party is an act of generosity. Inherent in the spa party idea is abundance and well-being. Taking it another step further is to provide your guests with a gift bag. Small spa related items are a nice touch to end your spa party...a take-away reminder of the good times had by all.

Gift item ideas may include lotion samples, incense, votive candles, facial masks, essential oils, gift certificates, or perhaps a hand-written note with inspirational words?

The saying still holds true..."It's the thought that counts." Tip: Your event massage company might be able to provide discounted prices on spa products if you order a large quantity.

So, you and your guests have been pampered and loved. Make sure to get their feedback either verbally or written down on how they enjoyed your spa party. It will give you and your massage event company valuable information as to how to make your next spa party even better!

Final Ideas on Hosting Your Spa Party

I love the idea of a spa party, it's fun, it's relaxing, it's friendship-cementing. I know with my company, SpaNomad, it's really important that the host of a spa party be pleasantly occupied with entertaining and that all the details of the massage and setup and breakdown of the event be left in my company's capable hands. So, in my opinion, the best way to host a spa party is to find an experienced and adaptable on-site massage event company. 

In a nutshell, I've broken down your 10 steps to having a successful spa party into 3 distinct areas:

• Provide them with information about your head count and event duration (2 steps).
• Collaborate with them on the treatment length, space requirements,treatment types, add-ons, and client gifts and feedback (5 steps)
• Allow the mobile massage company to handle the stations, scheduling, setup and breakdown (3 steps)

Laurie English is the founder of SpaNomad: Traveling Spa providing mobile massage and event massage services like spa parties, office massage, corporate massage at Santa Fe events and locations. SpaNomad offers national massage training to massage therapists as well. Offering a unique experience and massage mastery, SpaNomad is a Santa Fe mobile massage favorite for locals and visitors alike. Do you have mobile massage event or spa party questions? Please email Laurie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 505-490-0591.Check out helpful mobile massage tips at www.facebook.com/spanomad or www.twitter.com/spanomad.