News, Tips & Offers delivered to your inbox.

Spa newbies? Here's all you need to know, from common treatments to tips on tipping.

For many of us, visiting a spa is like adding a container of black caviar to the grocery list—it’s just not an everyday indulgence. But a honeymoon tends to be a time when moderation doesn’t apply. So go ahead, and get slathered in sugary fruit or have your muscles kneaded like bakery dough. Whether you choose a destination spa, dedicating your entire trip to a regimen of low-fat cuisine, workouts and meditation, or just spend the afternoon at your hotel or cruise ship’s day spa, you’re going to have questions. Fortunately, we’ve got all the feel- good facts to help you get the most out of your getaway.

Spa Specifics

Spa Dos and Don’ts Here, some tips for your first time in the robe. Do book early. At some spas, appointments fill up months in advance. Have the property fax you the menu, then schedule an appointment. Do know your rights. It’s important to be comfortable, so specify whether you’d prefer a male or female therapist. Do follow the rules. Most spas ask that you arrive 15 minutes early, leaving time to change into your bathrobe and slippers and relax. Should you need to cancel, give the spa 24 hours’ notice—you’ll avoid a penalty fee, and besides, it’s simply good manners. Do shower and shave first. If you’ve hit the gym, make sure you wash up before your treatment. Nothing prevents relaxation like body odor and stubble. Don’t wear jewelry. Baubles may get in the way during a treatment, so leave your valuables in a hotel safe. Do speak up. One rookie mistake? Suffering through a massage that’s too rough. Let your therapist know if the pressure is too light or too intense, and he or she should comply. And if you have a chatty therapist, let him or her know that you plan to doze off. Don’t get a facial before a photo-op. While ultimately beneficial for the skin, blackhead extractions may cause some temporary redness and breakouts. Do leave time to play. Most spas include the use of steam rooms, pools and saunas in the cost of treatments. Maximize relaxation time by taking advantage of these facilities.

Let’s start with the basic treatments most facilities offer. (Many spas have extensive “menus,” which describe their offerings; if you’re confused, feel free to ask questions.) Massages, which show up on every spa program, come in many different styles, but one that’s tried and true is Swedish, a technique that relieves muscle tension with essential oils and gentle kneading, rubbing and chopping motions. Also popular: deep tissue (or “sports”) massage, though it requires a much heavier hand and may be too intense for first-timers; reflexology, which aims to stimulate acupressure points in the feet that correspond to parts of the body; and stone massage, a holistic technique that involves the placement of highly burnished heated stones (usually marble and cobalt) on the body’s “energy” points. The stones, each believed to have specific healing properties, are worked over muscles in the back as well.

Facials are great because they cleanse and hydrate the skin with more powerful products than you use at home. Some aestheticians bathe the face in scented steam, then “extract” blackheads. A regular program of facials can do wonders for your complexion. Book a wrap, and your body will be smoothed with nutrient-rich lotions and baked under a heat lamp. Scrubs are full-body exfoliations that promise to smooth rough skin, if only temporarily. Scents, ranging from peppermint and sandalwood to piña colada and spiced honey, are usually used in these treatments, adding to the ambience.

Comfort Zone

One major issue for first-timers: nudity. Do you need to take it all off? Yes, if you're having a "wet service," such as a wrap or scrub, because it can get messy. In some cases, you'll be offered a pair of disposable paper undies, but the rest of your body will remain exposed. Uncomfortable with being naked in front of a stranger? Consider booking a "dry service," such as a massage, instead. Your therapist will drape a sheet over you to preserve your privacy, and only uncover those areas being treated. In either case, though, remember that good therapists are like doctors or nurses—they're professionals who've seen it all.

Guy Talk

If you've got a spa-reluctant hubby-to-be, you'll be glad to know that most facilities now cater to men with treatments designed specifically for them, including facials that soothe razor burn and pedicures that treat rough, callused skin. If all else fails, you can offer to hold his hand—literally—during a side-by-side tandem massage. He'll come around when he finds himself lying next to you, coated in warm, fragrant oils!

Gratuity Guide

As long as the treatment has been performed to your satisfaction, it's customary to give a 15 to 20% tip. At many spas, the tip must be paid in cash. Small envelopes for this purpose can usually be found at the reception desk: Simply enclose your gratuity, write your therapist's name on the envelope, and then deposit it in the appropriate box. Before you leave, however, your therapist might try to sell you products that may have been used in your treatment. Buy as many as you'd like, but don't feel obligated to do so.