Men prefer to spa with loved ones but women prefer to have private solo treatments, according to a consumer survey by the UK-based Good Spa Guide.

The survey, based on feedback from 530 respondents, studied the behaviour and opinions of spa-goers. The results show that nearly 60 per cent of men want to spend time with someone they love and 41 per cent of men prefer couples’ treatments to individual therapies. This compares to the 18 per cent of women who prefer treatments with their partners in the same room.

Respondents answered 15 questions in total, such as “why do you go to a spa?” The highest ranking answer to this particular question for men and women, at 82 per cent, was “to get some down time and unwind”. 11 per cent selected the answer: “so I can look good”.

93 per cent of spa-goers feel the facilities are what make for a “perfect spa day”, with 85 per cent saying that good customer service is the second most important aspect of a spa. Being “well looked after” follows at 82 per cent.

Poor customer service was the most selected answer to the question: “What ruins a spa day?” 89 per cent of respondents said this was a problem. Noise levels were the second most likely factor to ruin a spa day, at 88 per cent.

Daphne Metland, founder and managing director of the Good Spa Guide said: “Many spas are introducing quiet zones or signs. This is appreciated by customers and can help to tackle problematic noise levels . Anything to pull a customer back is a bonus and if quiet signs are needed then they should certainly be used.”

More than 66 per cent of spa-goers are loyal to a favourite local spa but the survey showed that men and people under 40 are slightly less loyal than their demographic counterparts. A total of 70 per cent of over-40s said they have a favourite spa near their home, compared to 56 per cent of those under 40.

Massage was the respondents’ most favoured treatment, selected by 93 per cent of people, while facials came second, at 65 per cent. New and unusual treatments were also popular, winning approval from 50 per cent of respondents.

Age also seemed to be a factor in terms of whether to spa with others or alone. Over-40s were more likely to take friends or spa alone, but those under 40 are much more likely to go to a spa as a couple.

92 per cent of spa-goers want water facilities including pools, hydrotherapy areas and experience showers at their chosen wellbeing facility.

Forty per cent of respondents are also happy to travel more than 50 miles (80km) to get to a spa.
The Good Spa Guide hosted its branded awards ceremony during a gala dinner in November 2014 at the Spa Life UK event held at Center Parcs Woburn Forest.