If you're unsure of spa etiquette, the anticipation of what happens during your visit to a spa could cause some stress! We want your trip to The Buckhead Grand Spa to be a relaxing, rejuvenating one, so the following information will hopefully demystify the protocol.
Booking your appointment
Our peak hours are afternoons, weekends, and holidays, so if the time you want falls within these hours, we encourage you to book as far in advance as possible. If you are flexible and can make a mid-week appointment, we are more likely to be able to accommodate you on shorter notice. Please mention at the time of making your reservation if you will be using a gift certificate so we can retrieve the paper work prior to your arrival and advise you of any policy that may affect its use. We do require a credit card to hold your reservation. We also offer last minute specials so be sure to call and inquire.
Therapists
We have both male and female therapists on staff. Unless you let us know of any objection at the time of booking, the next available qualified therapist will be assigned to your treatment. Please be sure to let us know. We are delighted when guests request their favorite therapist, however, please do realize that he or she may not be available at the time of your appointment unless you are prepared to book around their schedule.
Checking in and Checking Out
Please arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to your appointment. Each guest must be checked in & rest room stops and client/therapist interviews account for a few more minutes of your time. We strive to keep appointments on schedule, so if you arrive late and the room or therapist is booked after your session, although we really dislike doing it, your session may have to be shortened. After your treatment, we'll allow you a few minutes to enjoy the moment, stretch, take a few deep breaths and stabilize before getting up from the table. If you are transitioning to another treatment, a member of staff will collect you and direct you to the next session. When your spa treatments are completed, you will be checked out at the reception desk. Please don't hesitate to request water or tea before you leave. You may pay using the credit card you guaranteed your appointment with, a different card, personal check, or cash. Gratuities for your therapist may be added to your charge card or may be left in a tip envelope, available at the front desk.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible. We require at least 24 hours to cancel a single service, preferably 48 hours or more for a package, and 72 hours for high-volume holidays (such as Valentine's or Mother's Day weekends). This not only gives us the opportunity to release your room and therapist and rebook the time slot, but industry protocol dictates that therapists are paid even if their client doesn't show. Under certain circumstances such as high-volume holidays, a non-refundable 50% deposit may be charged to guaranteeing credit cards 24 prior to the appointment. No-shows are a huge frustration in the spa industry and all spas (including Buckhead Grand Spa) will charge 100% of the appointment total.
Communicating
Your treatment, your time, and your body are yours, and we want you to thoroughly enjoy your experience. Please be sure to communicate preferences to your therapist - the amount of pressure, room temperature, whether you want conversation or silence or you would like different music. If you do not tell your therapist, they will not know if you are uncomfortable.
Discomfort or Dissatisfaction
Please let your provider or staff member know immediately if you are uncomfortable for any reason. Our goal is for your experience to be positive, and corrections can only be made if we are made aware of a problem at the time of service.
Medical conditions
If you have any type of medical condition, be sure to mention it when you book an appointment. Certain treatments may not be advisable for you. Also, before your treatment begins, let your therapist or aesthetician know of any medical concerns.
Attire
We suggest you wear casual attire-something you can easily slip off and on without fussing. If modesty is an issue, please don't hesitate to chat to us about treatments that can be done while you're fully clothed. We provide any necessary towels, robe, and slippers for you to wear during your visit.
Jewelry
Most therapies flow more easily without the interference of jewelry. We recommend removing neck and wrist ornaments if possible,and we prefer that you wear your rings and urge you to be mindful of not leaving valuables behind - frantic searches in robe pockets or nooks and crannies in the treatment room are stress-producing for all involved. You'll be sparkling well enough after your treatments!
Modesty
The best way to receive a massage or other bodywork is to be unclothed, however, we never require you to be naked if it makes you uncomfortable. Our therapists are trained in the "art of draping", in which they will leave the treatment room while you get under the sheet on the table, keep you covered at all times except for the area of the body they are working on, and will leave the treatment room before you get up from the table.
Shaving
If you need to shave (particularly beardless men receiving a facial), do it at least two hours before your appointment. If you have booked a body scrub, we highly recommend shaving the day before since we can assure you that rubbing salt into the slightest razor wound is not a very relaxing experience.
Sun and Spa
Please be conscious that some treatments may expose brand new skin to the elements. An all over application of quality, high SPF product is recommended especially for the first few days after the treatment. Our facial treatments are finished with a moisturizer with a sun protection factor of 15 or above.
Food and Beverage
It's best not to receive bodywork on a full stomach, so schedule meals or snacks to allow at least an hour before your treatment. Drink water, especially if heat therapies are part of your package. Since bodywork introduces clean, oxygenated, and nourished fluids into your tissues and stimulates your body to purge toxins, it is important to flush them out by drinking plenty of water - and be aware of what you're putting into your nice clean body after your treatments, especially refined sugars, high fats, caffeine and most importantly, alcohol - any of these may have a stronger effect on you than normal. Toxins that are not flushed from your body can be reabsorbed and may give you a "toxin hangover". If this happens, drink more water!
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in our prices but are gladly accepted. Calculate the amount of your tip as you would in a restaurant - between 15-20%, but you may of course leave more or less, depending on the quality of the service. It is more convenient to leave a tip in the small envelopes available at the desk when you check out rather than giving it directly to the therapist (who may not be available at the time).
Cell phones
Because the day spa environment should be a tranquil and stress-reducing experience, we request that cell phones and pagers are turned off before entering the spa.
Children
We do love children; we even have some of our own! However, so that the ambiance within the spa remains as relaxing as possible for all of our guests (many of whom are actually enjoying a respite from their little people), we request that children are allowed to express their animated spirits OUTSIDE of the spa environment. Children under 18 must have the written consent from parent or guardian to receive spa treatments.
Socializing
Although we try to disguise outside interference with music and sound-absorbent walls, loud voices and noises do filter through. We ask that you please be mindful of others enjoying their treatments, who are truly appreciating all the peace and quiet that's possible, and try to keep conversations at a low volume.
Touring the facility
We love to show off our spa! If you would like to take a tour, please be aware that not all rooms will be open to view and some guests may be transitioning from one treatment to the next. Please allow the staff member to determine the best route for your tour.
