Anyone have a Spa associated with their Inn, or have thoughts on adding one?

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GoodScout

GoodScout

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We've put an offer on a building nextdoor to ours, and will be adding a 10th suite in the upstairs area.
Rather than add an 11th suite downstairs, we're planning to build a day spa to supplement our B&B and wedding business. Anyone operate a spa at their inn, or have thoughts about the idea? Maybe you've stayed at one and had good/bad experiences.
Any suggestions are welcome, as we're branching into uncharted (for us) territory.
 
It has been ages since I had a request for spa services or in-room massage. BUT I am in Podunk and get a lot of 1-nighters. In your location, it will probably be wonderful. IF you contract the masseuse, just get THEM to get a rider on their insurance that covers you.
 
Given your location it sounds like an excellent venture. Can't help with the nuts and bolts but look at other inns that offer those services to see how they price them.
I would think finding the employees/contractors would be the hardest part.
Make sure there is good insulation between the suite and the spa.
 
I wish you great success Phin, you are one heckuva got getter (you and Missus Phin)!
 
Sounds like a great idea to me. Goes well with the wedding biz and you can include it into wedding & romantic packages. I get the request for massages all the time but don't have the room and can't find someone to travel to us.
 
I second and third the insulation comment. I was a massage therapist for years and keeping out noise would be my #1 design thought. Private access to a lovely bathroom/shower can also be a big factor if you want to offer treatments other than massage (wraps, scrubs etc.). Then finding the right LMT - it's an industry that can attract some flakey folks (really any industry right?) or some really young people who don't have enough general experience to make things go smoothly right out of the gate if that makes sense. Any practicing LMT should also carry their own insurance in addition to what you carry for your business.
We often work massage into a get away and I think it's a great combo but I often think it's priced really high at resort type lodging establishments. I've never completely understood this even as a provider... If it was well priced for your area I think it would be a great on-site asset.
 
innovermyhead said:
I second and third the insulation comment. I was a massage therapist for years and keeping out noise would be my #1 design thought. Private access to a lovely bathroom/shower can also be a big factor if you want to offer treatments other than massage (wraps, scrubs etc.). Then finding the right LMT - it's an industry that can attract some flakey folks (really any industry right?) or some really young people who don't have enough general experience to make things go smoothly right out of the gate if that makes sense. Any practicing LMT should also carry their own insurance in addition to what you carry for your business.
We often work massage into a get away and I think it's a great combo but I often think it's priced really high at resort type lodging establishments. I've never completely understood this even as a provider... If it was well priced for your area I think it would be a great on-site asset..
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The girl I used was new but I went to her before I asked if she would do in-room. My insurance agent told me to have her get a rider on her insurance and give me a copy. When I asked her how much she would charge, she quoted the same as in her shop since it was in town. I told her no way - she was charging an extra $20 for schlepping the equipment. And, no, i never took a cut.
One guest ordered in-room for her and her boyfriend and my girl had forgotten (it had been awhile) what she charged my guests. She looked at me when the guest asked how much she owed and I told her. I am certain the guest thought I was taking a cut because of that. Everyone associated with me has been good at what they do and I want good to be compensated accordingly.
She only does massage 1 day per week now - she not only did massage school and advanced training in Swedish massage, but went back to school and got her RN. A very smart young lady.
 
We used to work with a LMT who came in when a guest requested it (we had it listed on our website) but it wasn't requested often. We later had a consultant recommend that we turn a large sitting area in our B&B into a spa instead of having it done in the rooms and heavily promote it on our website. We would pay the LMT for their services and mark up the cost as we chose fit. I thought about it for one minute and decided it wasn't for us. Here's what made me say no so that you can consider it -- perhaps it will be right for you given that you'll have separate space for the LMT to enter and work and you have the wedding business.
1. Scheduling in the past has been tiresome for us. The guest tells us when they want the massage, I call the LMT and if not there she gets back to us (often they aren't getting back to you until after all their appointments). If the time isn't available, I have to get back in touch with the guest again to offer the available time. Often went back and forth with several calls/emails taking lots of my time. Our front door is always locked as well. We would then be responsible for staying here to meet the therapist and get her to the guest room. Since we need some time away, I didn't want another reason to have to hang around to let someone in.
2. The ROI on building out the spa rooms would take quite a while for us to recoup if we weren't charging a high price for the services like the large local hotel with a new super spa.
3. We are then subject to additional requirements/inspections for the spa space. Obviously we would keep it spotless but another thing I had to worry about.
4. Most of our guests are here for an outdoor activity, not really leisure relaxing guests. I think that's why it never really was requested often so know your guests.
5. Speak to your insurance agent about what additional coverage you would need.
6. Be sure you can find a good LMT who is responsible and will show up. The guest will have an overall negative opinion of their stay if their massage is cancelled. We live in an area where they tend to be transient and move to areas with more clientele paying hire prices as you don't want lots of turnover.
I'm sure spas are a good add-on/investment for some but for us we do everything ourselves pretty much the added work wasn't worth it to us.
 
MtnKeeper said:
We used to work with a LMT who came in when a guest requested it (we had it listed on our website) but it wasn't requested often. We later had a consultant recommend that we turn a large sitting area in our B&B into a spa instead of having it done in the rooms and heavily promote it on our website. We would pay the LMT for their services and mark up the cost as we chose fit. I thought about it for one minute and decided it wasn't for us. Here's what made me say no so that you can consider it -- perhaps it will be right for you given that you'll have separate space for the LMT to enter and work and you have the wedding business.
1. Scheduling in the past has been tiresome for us. The guest tells us when they want the massage, I call the LMT and if not there she gets back to us (often they aren't getting back to you until after all their appointments). If the time isn't available, I have to get back in touch with the guest again to offer the available time. Often went back and forth with several calls/emails taking lots of my time. Our front door is always locked as well. We would then be responsible for staying here to meet the therapist and get her to the guest room. Since we need some time away, I didn't want another reason to have to hang around to let someone in.
2. The ROI on building out the spa rooms would take quite a while for us to recoup if we weren't charging a high price for the services like the large local hotel with a new super spa.
3. We are then subject to additional requirements/inspections for the spa space. Obviously we would keep it spotless but another thing I had to worry about.
4. Most of our guests are here for an outdoor activity, not really leisure relaxing guests. I think that's why it never really was requested often so know your guests.
5. Speak to your insurance agent about what additional coverage you would need.
6. Be sure you can find a good LMT who is responsible and will show up. The guest will have an overall negative opinion of their stay if their massage is cancelled. We live in an area where they tend to be transient and move to areas with more clientele paying hire prices as you don't want lots of turnover.
I'm sure spas are a good add-on/investment for some but for us we do everything ourselves pretty much the added work wasn't worth it to us..
Click to expand...
I think it makes sense to get a high quality robotic massage chair. They don't keep hours, they always do a good job, they don't need massage oil, and don't take as much room.
 

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