Your spa treatment was great, you can feel relaxed and charged. Now what? Is your therapist expecting you to tip them or is it already included in the price of the treatment? To avoid all the confusion and enjoy the time before, during and after your treatment, here are the best tipping etiquettes to follow.
General Tipping Guidelines
“If you’re at a day spa, it’s appropriate to tip 15-20% of the bill”, says Navrajvir Singh, owner of Lakeview and Palm Tree.
So if your treatment costed $200, it’s appropriate to tip $30. You can go higher and tip $40 if the therapist provided exceptional service. You’ll rarely ever find a day spa adding a service fee so it’s recommended that you directly tip your therapist in cash.
“We allow tipping and encourage it by leaving envelopes in the treatment rooms so that it’s convenient for you to tp your therapist,” he adds.
However, there’s an exception to this rule. This method doesn’t work if you’re getting a discounted deal or a bargain, or even a special package.
Your therapist expects you to tip them on the full price of the treatment than the discounted pricing. For instance, if the price of the massage has been slashed down from $200 to $100, you’re still expected to tip $30 and $40 if you like your therapist instead of tipping $15.
Hotel and Resort Spas
Health or destination spas, hotels, and resort spas where you spend a night add a service fee or spa tip of 18-20% onto the facial or massage. You can tip your therapist extra in the treatment room if you believe you’ve received exceptional service.
If you’re tipping the therapist in addition to it already being included in the bill, it’s expected that your therapist informs you. If you didn’t know that was the policy, feel free to keep your tip.
Medical Spas
Medical spas offering hybrid services (traditional therapies combined with medical procedures such as Botox injections) don’t allow tipping.
Generally, their tipping policy is displayed in their reception area so it’s advised that you follow them.
The only exception to the tipping rule at these spas is facials. However, if you’re unsure it’s recommended that you ask at the front desk rather than insulting the therapist by not leaving a tip (when they were expecting it) and leaving a tip (when it’s not allowed).
If you’re a regular at these spas and tipping isn’t allowed, we recommend you take a little something for special occasions like Christmas to show your appreciation for your therapist.
Mineral Springs Spas
Traditionally, people who wanted relief from physical pain or who sought tranquillity travelled to these exotic spas that offered natural mineral baths. These spas offer specialised treatments such as hydrotherapy treatment.
Patrons are expected to tip the general 15-20% for the services at these locales.
Club Spas
Usually, you can find a club spa at a gym or a fitness club. Even though these locations primarily focus on working out, they do offer spa services like foot massages and sports massages.
Generally, they’re open to both members and non-members. If you’re taking treatment at these spas, it’s recommended that you stick to the standard tipping rule of 15-20% of the total bill.
Shristi is the Chief Content Officer at Raletta. She enjoys writing about food, fitness, finance and everything in between. Feel free to connect with her via Linkedin or drop an email at [email protected].
