Resort spas, med spas, hotel spas, spa communities - so much spa, so little time. With so many spa choices, how do you tell the difference between spas. Is there a difference? And how do you go about choosing the one that's right for you? According to SpaFinder, there is a difference and those differences make for some exciting choices when it comes to achieving a rested and balanced lifestyle.



It's becoming more common to find resort/hotel spa properties throughout the world. These properties feature a wide variety of recreational facilities, including the full-service spa. Guests may enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding, skiing, and various water sports, along with a range of dining options located on the property. Spa treatments and services are generally complement to a hotel stay or vavation activities at a resort. For instance, the Acqualina & ESPA Spa in Miami Beach, Florida, is comprised of the Mediterranean-style tower, evoking the city's classic 1950s-era grand hotels. At the heart of the resort is the 20,000-square-foot ESPA, the U.S. flagship of the British-based spa company, known for their customized treatment rituals and thorough therapist training.

Offering a full immersion spa experience for all of its guests, destination spas feature all-inclusive programs that provide fitness activities, nutritious spa cuisine, spa treatments, educational classes, and more to assist guests in jump-starting a more healthful lifestyle. At the Canyon Ranch in Arizona, for example, guests flock here to take control of their health or rejuvenate. The property is distinguished by a team of physicians, nurses, complementary health practitioners, nutritionists, exercise physiologists, and more. Guests can start a fitness program, enjoy a massage, reconnect with their spiritualist, take a cooking class, hike a canyon trail, or simply relax.

Connoisseur Spas are an elite collection of properties that adhere to a strict criteria such as extraordinary ambiance, luxurious accommodations, high staff-to-guest-ratio, exceptional spa, services, outstanding cuisine, and industry awards and recognition. In Escondido, California, the legendary Golden Door Spa was founded in 1958 by visionary Debora Szekely on ancient Japanese traditions. The spa's serene setting is matched by a customized program of fitness, nutrition and beauty and guests receive a tailored schedule for each day in the form of a folded Japanese fan.

Increasing in popularity, the Spa Lifestyle Real Estate is favored by those interested in community living. Spa Lifestyle Real Estate offers homebuyers an opportunity to purchase a home in an environment constructed around a luxurious spa facility. Situated on 12,000 acres in western Arizona, the Laughlin Ranch, for example, is a family-oriented luxury lifestyle community with beach access, panoramic views of the Black Mountains, and miles of hiking and biking trails. Many residences are just steps from the full-service Spa at Laughlin Ranch, which features a fitness facility and Southwest-inspired treatments.

Combining games of chance and spa services, Casino spas offer guests an opportunity to enjoy exciting gaming without leaving the premises. The high-end properties most often attract guests who love casino action and spa luxury in large doses. Opened in 2003, the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is one of the newest and largest gaming hotels in the northeastern United States. Situated in Atlantic City's marina district, away from the famous boardwalk, the 29-acre hotel feels more like the Las Vegas than the no-frills atmosphere of Atlantic City. In addition to poker and slots, the hotel also features five-star eateries. The 54,000-square-foot Spa Toccare offers European spa treatments, such as luxurious mineral essential facials.

Med Spas operate under the full-time supervision of a licensed healthcare professional that offer clinical-grade aesthetic enhancement and spa treatments. For instance, Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Skin Care Center has two locations in Pennsylvania and is a results-oriented plastic surgery and medical facility. Treatments blend state-of-the-art medical therapies with a relaxing spa experience.

Not to be confused with a Med Spa, Medical Spas provide comprehensive wellness and preventative care that may adhere to traditional Western medical concepts, complementary/alternative philosophies, or a combination of the two. Spa treatments are incorporated into wellness programs as a beneficial way to reduce stress. In La Quinta, California, for example, A Wellmax Center for Preventative Medicine offers comprehensive medical testing with the pampering resources of the La Quinta Resort and Club, which are often prescribed by the Wellmax professionals.