What's Included in a Full Spa Day?- Your Athens, GA Guide
A full spa day package typically includes three to five core treatments most commonly a 60-90 minute massage, a facial, and a body treatment like a scrub or wrap. Beyond the hands-on services, expect amenities like access to relaxation lounges, steam rooms or saunas, hydrotherapy facilities, healthy lunch or refreshments, plush robes and slippers, and quiet spaces to decompress between treatments.
Some packages include extras like manicures, pedicures, scalp treatments, or aromatherapy enhancements, while others offer these as add-ons. The key is confirming what's covered in your package price versus what requires an additional fee—especially when comparing Athens spa options.
What's Included in a Full Spa Day?
I walked into my first spa and felt totally lost. Do I tip this person? Is lunch included? Can I keep this super soft robe? (Answer: nope, but man I wanted to.) Turns out most people feel this exact same way—about 73% of first-timers say they wish someone had just told them what to expect.
Here's what nobody tells you: a real spa day is so much more than just a massage. You get multiple treatments, yeah, but also hours in quiet spaces where your phone doesn't matter, really good food, and—this is my favorite part—total permission to do nothing at all. For those of us always running between work and home and a thousand other things, that permission alone is worth every penny.
This guide walks you through what actually happens during a full spa day at Athens' best spas, what's different from place to place, and how to show up knowing your stuff instead of guessing.
What to Skip 24-48 Hours Before Your Appointment
Let's talk about the actual treatments—what therapists do to make you feel human again:
Massage Therapy (60-90 minutes)
This is usually the main thing. Most places start with Swedish massage, which is perfect for working out knots while making you feel like you're floating on air. But if you've got tension that won't go away—maybe from sitting at a desk all day or being on your feet constantly (looking at you, Athens nurses, restaurant workers, retail folks)—you might want deep tissue or therapeutic massage instead. Hot stone massage uses smooth heated stones, and I'm not kidding when I say the warmth alone could knock you right out.
Facial Treatment (45-60 minutes)
Your facial usually happens in the middle or near the end, and there's a reason for that. It gives your skin time to soak up all the good stuff from earlier. A basic facial has cleansing, scrubbing away dead skin, removing blackheads if needed, a mask, and moisturizer. Fancier ones add LED lights, microdermabrasion, or special serums for whatever your skin needs right now. Your esthetician talks with you first to figure it out—they're not just making it up as they go.
Body Treatment (30-60 minutes)
This is where you get body scrubs, wraps, or polishes—and trust me, afterward your skin feels softer than you ever thought possible. Body scrubs use salt, sugar, or coffee grounds mixed with oils to scrub off dead skin. Body wraps use mud, algae, or other stuff that pulls out toxins, plus you get wrapped in warm blankets while it all soaks in. (Yeah, it's as cozy as it sounds.) Body polish is gentler, focusing on making your skin super smooth and hydrated.
Treatment Sequencing
Most spas do things in a certain order. Body treatments usually come first (scrub, then massage), with your facial saved for last. There's good reasons for this—your skin soaks up products better between treatments, and your brain needs time to go from one super relaxed state to the next. Between treatments, you get 15-30 minute breaks where you can drink herbal tea, chill in the steam room, or just sit there doing nothing. That's literally the point.
At The Body Temple Spa in Athens, we're really picky about this order. Your body scrub opens your pores so your skin's ready for massage oils, and your facial comes last so you're not lying face-down after and messing up your glowing skin. These little things really matter in how you feel when you leave.
Amenities and Extras You Can Expect
This is where spa day value stacks up super fast. Beyond your treatments, you get hours of access to spaces built just for helping you relax:
Relaxation Lounges and Quiet Spaces
Good spas have special areas where you can read, meditate, take a nap, or just exist between treatments. Comfy seating, nice lighting, calm music, herbal teas, fancy waters. This time is yours—nobody expects you to check work emails. Please don't. That ruins the whole thing.
Hydrotherapy Features
Hydrotherapy is any water therapy that helps blood flow and relaxes muscles. Depending where you go, you might get hot tubs, cold plunge pools (they're intense but also amazing), Vichy showers (those shower things with multiple heads that rain water on you during treatments), or pools where you go back and forth between hot and cold. Studies show hydrotherapy can reduce muscle tension by 35%, which explains why it helps so much.
Heat Experiences
Saunas, steam rooms, infrared lounges—these help your muscles relax, boost blood flow, and help your body detox through sweat. Steam rooms are extra good before massages because the wet heat opens your pores and makes your muscles more ready for bodywork. First-timers always tell us the eucalyptus steam room becomes their favorite surprise—that thing they didn't know they needed.
Meals and Refreshments
Full spa day packages almost always have lunch and unlimited drinks included. Think healthy stuff like salads with protein, grain bowls, fresh fruit, herbal teas—food that makes you feel good instead of heavy. Some places have wine or champagne, though most wellness people say wait until after treatments so you stay hydrated. All day long, you can grab infused water, hot tea, and light snacks.
Robes, Slippers, and Amenities
You get a super soft robe and slippers to wear between treatments—and nope, they don't come home with you, even though you'll really want them to. Lockers for your stuff, hair dryers, good toiletries—all included. Some spas give you samples of products they used, while others sell them if something worked really well for you.
Typical Spa Day Amenities: What's Included vs. Upgrade
Amenity
Usually Included
Often an Upgrade
Varies by Spa
Relaxation lounge access
✓
Robes and slippers
✓
Steam room/sauna
✓
✓
Light lunch
✓
✓
Herbal teas and water
✓
Hydrotherapy pools
✓
✓
Take-home products
✓
Premium treatments (hot stones, CBD)
✓
Manicure/pedicure
✓
✓
Scalp or foot treatments
✓
✓
✓
Every spa day is a bit different, which is actually good—you can find something that fits your real life and budget. Here's what changes between Athens spas and what you should ask about:
Package Duration
A "half-day" is about 3-4 hours and has two treatments plus facility access. A "full-day" is more like 6-8 hours with three or more treatments, longer chill time, and a meal. Be honest with yourself about time—if you're squeezing this between your kid's soccer and making dinner, a half-day makes way more sense then booking eight hours and stressing.
Included vs. Add-On Pricing
This is where some spas get sneaky. Some show a great base price, then everything else costs extra. Others put it all in one price upfront. Ask: Are nails included or extra? Scalp treatments, aromatherapy, special massage techniques? Is lunch a real meal or just cheese and crackers?
Gratuity Policies
Normal tip is 18-20% of your total, but every spa does it different. Some include tip in the package price. Others add it to your bill automatically. Some leave it up to you and give envelopes for tipping each therapist. None of these is wrong, but knowing beforehand saves awkward moments at checkout.
Group vs. Solo Experiences
Planning a birthday, bachelorette party, or mother-daughter day? Ask about group stuff. Some spas have private rooms where your group stays together between treatments. Others have you do treatments separate, then meet back up in shared spaces. Couples massage packages usually have side-by-side rooms and extra couple time in water therapy areas.
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policies
Life happens—especially juggling work, family, and everything else in Athens. Most spas need 24-48 hours notice for cancellations or they charge you. Some are more flexible about emergencies or work stuff. Know the policy first so your not stressed about picking a date.
5 Questions to Ask When Booking Your Athens Spa Day
"What exactly comes with the [package name] price, and what's extra?"
"How much time should I plan to be here, including getting their early?"
"How does tipping work—included or separate?"
"Can you work with food restrictions for lunch?"
"What happens if something comes up and I gotta reschedule?"
These questions show you thought it through and help avoid surprises. Any decent spa will like the honesty and answer clearly.
How to Prepare for Your Spa Day in Athens, GA
You booked your spa day—awesome. Now here's how to show up ready to enjoy it instead of second-guessing yourself:
Your Pre-Spa Day Checklist
1. Arrive 15-30 Minutes Early
Give yourself this extra time to check in without rushing, fill out forms, learn where everything is, change into your robe, and start chilling before your first treatment. Studies show people who get their early enjoy treatments more because they're not still stressed from rushing.
At The Body Temple Spa, we say get here 20 minutes before your first service. That extra time lets you switch from "stressed Athens person managing everything" to "person about to relax for hours."
2. What to Bring
Valid ID (some spas check at the desk)
Payment (credit card or cash for tips if separate)
Comfy, loose clothes for after (keep that relaxed feeling instead of tight jeans)
Hair tie if you got long hair (most spas have extras though)
Not much jewelry (you'll take it off anyway, and lockers are small)
3. What to Leave at Home
Valuables (expensive jewelry and electronics stay in your car)
Heavy makeup (your facial takes it off anyway)
Strong perfume (can give people headaches and messes with aromatherapy)
4. Hydration and Meal Timing
Drink lots of water in the 24 hours before—hydrated muscles feel way better during massage. Eat a light meal about 1-2 hours before so you're not starving or too full. Skip alcohol before; it dehydrates you and can make you dizzy during bodywork.
5. Communication Is Key
Your therapists can't read your mind, even though they're pretty good. Speak up about:
Pressure during massage (harder, softer, "that's perfect")
Temperature (too hot, too cold, just right)
Areas that need extra work or areas to avoid
Music and talking (some people love chatting, others want silence)
Health stuff, injuries, or medicines that might matter
There's no "wrong" thing to say—this is your day. Therapists want you to have the best time, and being honest helps them make everything perfect for you.
Making the Most of Your Athens Spa Day Experience
You got your booking and know how to prepare. Here's how to make everything better and why picking a local Athens spa has benefits chains can't match:
Book During Off-Peak Times
If your schedule works, weekday mornings (specially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are 20-30% less crowded then weekends. More space in lounges, less waiting for water stuff, quieter overall. Plus some spas give discounts midweek since you're using work time.
Ask About Seasonal Packages
Many Athens spas make special packages around seasons, holidays, or local stuff (UGA graduation, Athens holidays). These special deals sometimes put more services together for better value or have seasonal stuff—pumpkin spice scrubs in fall, peppermint foot treatments around holidays.
Enhancement vs. Rebooking Strategy
If you're in the middle of a massage thinking "never want this to end," you got options. Some spas can make your current treatment longer right then by adding 30 minutes, if your therapist's free. This usually costs less then booking a separate session later and keeps you in that perfect state. If they can't extend it, ask about rebooking before you leave—many spas give deals when you schedule multiple visits together.
Post-Spa Care
Your spa day doesn't end at checkout. Get the most from it by:
Drinking extra water for 24 hours (bodywork releases bad stuff you need to flush out)
Skipping hard exercise that day (your muscles need recovery, not a tough workout)
Avoiding harsh skin products for 24 hours after your facial (your skin's more sensitive)
Getting good sleep that night (your body does its deepest fixing while you sleep)
Why Athens Spas Offer Unique Value
helping small businesses that put money back in the actual community, often using products from around here and working with other Athens wellness places. The feel is more like a friend's peaceful home then some cold corporate place. And since Athens has so many health-conscious people (partly thanks to UGA's health programs), local spas keep really high standards for smart clients who know quality when they see it. The global spa industry has changed a lot, with modern spas focusing on real health through nice treatments that pamper your body and relax your mind—Athens spas really show this approach.
While fancy wellness hotels worldwide are pushing wellness to crazy extremes—IV drips, MRI machines, $12,000 stem-cell sessions—local Athens spas like The Body Temple offer something just as good: real, personal care without the fancy attitude or wild prices.
At The Body Temple Spa on Hawthorne Avenue, we're really proud to help Athens and nearby towns like Watkinsville, Bogart, and Monroe. We've been Athens' favorite wellness spot since 2020, getting recognized as Fresha's Best Spa because we really get the specific stress local professionals face—UGA staff handling academic deadlines, healthcare workers helping our community, small business owners building something important.
5 Ways to Maximize Your Spa Day in Athens
Start with steam room time to open pores and relax muscles before your first treatment
Bring a book or journal for lounge time—your perfect excuse to finally start that novel
Turn off your phone (better yet, leave it in your locker) to really disconnect
Try something new like lymphatic drainage massage or womb steaming if your spa has it
Schedule your next visit before leaving, when that self-care feeling is most strong
Your Athens Spa Day Awaits
A full spa day has everything for complete restoration: multiple treatments, wellness facility access, good meals, and hours of permission to just exist without responsibilities. When you book at a quality Athens spa, you're not just buying services—you're putting money into your physical health, mental clarity, and overall wellbeing.
Best part? You don't gotta be a spa expert to book confidently. You now know what's usually included, what to ask, and how to prepare so you can relax from when you get there to when you leave.
Ready to try a full spa day in Athens? The Body Temple Spa has packages made for busy professionals who deserve real self-care time. Our full-service spa has massage therapy, facials, body treatments, special wellness services like lymphatic drainage and Reiki, plus relaxation amenity access—all in the heart of Athens at 435 Hawthorne Ave Suite 800.
📞 Call (959) 400-9242 to talk about package options and book your spa day
🌿 View our complete service menu and pricing
⭐ Read reviews from Athens clients
Our Athens spa is open 7 days a week:
Monday-Thursday & Friday-Saturday: 8 AM–10 PM
Sunday: 8 AM–6 PM
Book your Athens spa day today and give yourself permission to really relax. You deserve it.
