Hen party season is well and truly in full swing, with spa days remaining a popular choice for brides and their nearest and dearest. Relaxing and pampering with a glass of prosecco in hand is a foolproof way to please all the girls, and avoids the possible awkwardness of a night on the town with your future mother-in-law.
Hen packages usually include one treatment per person – or a few for the stressed-out bride – plus full access to the spa facility. The day can be finished off with a lavish dinner, evening cocktails or star gazing from an outdoor hot tub. What better way to spoil the bride before the big day?
But before you pack your bikinis and head to cloud nine, read on for Spafinder Wellness 365's top tips on how to organise a hen party spa day and ensure it runs smoothly...
Spa don'ts:
Assume your spa must take place in the daytime... While spa days are very popular hen party packages, many spas also offer evening hen parties. What could be better than relaxing in the spa, enjoying a lavish dinner and wine with friends and capping the night off with cocktails and gossip in the hot tub?
Involve the bride in the details... This day is all about friendship, and it's a nice gesture to have the guests chip in for the bride's treatments. Don't involve her in the planning of the spa day. This is her time to forget about the stress of organising big events.
Book at the last minute... Because a hen party is likely a large group, some spas may be fully booked. Start planning the hen party as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Forget to ask for a discount... Large group bookings are often entitled to a small 10 to 15 per cent discount so the organiser should be sure to double-check this when booking the party.
Get too rowdy... Chances are there will be other guests at the spa during the hen party. While the hens may find the embarrassing party games just hilarious, some guests may not share their sense of humour. If the spa offers a private area for larger groups, the group should book it and let their inner teenagers run wild!
Spa do's:
Bring the right number... An ideal hen party at the spa will consist of eight to 12 friends. Any more and things may get a little crowded.
Book group treatments... Most spas have facilities for couple's massages, so the bride and maid of honour can enjoy a treatment together. Many spas also offer manicure and pedicure stations, so several girls can be pampered and bond at the same time.
Turn your phone off... Brides should use this time to really bond with their besties and make new memories – those emails and texts can wait.
Have a plan... The hen party organiser should make sure all the details are planned, such as who is having treatments, who has paid and what time is dinner. It pays to plan in advance, especially when the group will want to relax as soon as they set foot in the spa.
Research... Some spas are just too small to accommodate large groups, so a tiny boutique spa hotel might not be the best place for a hen party. If unsure ask the spa.