Spa Day is an Affordable Wellness Option

For many of us, the weather, work, kids or all of the above have us dreaming about going to a spa to de-stress and unwind, but we may not think it’s in our budget. It turns out a spa day may be more within our reach than we think, with affordable options all over the Chicagoland area.

Commit to De-Stress

As with most services, the more often clients commit upfront, the better the pricing. At Elements Massage (847-350-9232, ElementsMassage.com/ParkRidge), in Park Ridge and other area locations, becoming a member of its Wellness Program guarantees clients a discounted massage rate every single month. For example, a 55-minute massage that normally costs $89 is only $59. There is no cost to join other than the commitment to receive a therapeutic massage every month, because the charge occurs monthly on the client’s credit card. Among the membership benefits, which include member-only specials, is the ability to rollover any unused massages so clients don’t lose them if they can’t get there during a particular month.

There is a Spa to Meet Clients’ Many Specific Needs

If a client is undergoing treatment for cancer, lupus, chronic fatigue, diabetes, psoriasis, eczema or any other immune system condition, employees of Deerfield’s Renu Day Spa (847-940-9727, RenuDaySpa.com) are certified and prepared to work with those clients. As a holistic spa, Renu offers a full range of spa and massage services for men, women and children. Its spa packages and massage membership offers the best rates at this spa. For example, for $59, the massage membership allows members the choice of any five treatments every month and the only commitment is a six-month membership (no additional fee is required). The membership can be shared with another immediate family member, as well.

Thousand Waves Spa for Women (773-549-0700, ThousandWavesSpa.com), in Chicago, caters its spa services, which range from massage therapy to herbal wraps, only to women. Included with all body treatments is use of its spa baths, such as the eucalyptus steam room, dry cedar sauna and hot tub. After the treatment is over, clients are welcome to lounge in their relaxation room for as long as they’d like without any additional charges. 

Specials Abound

Pamela Graves, from Matteson, is a fan of Flossmoor’s Serenity Day Spa (708-206-2750, MySerenityDaySpa.com) because of its attention to detail. According to Graves, “The services are simply indulgent and the staff is extremely attentive. I don’t know how they do it, but you feel like you’re the only person in the spa!”

Serenity Day Spa often posts deals of the month on its website and Facebook page, including signature services like the Heated Siesta, a 90-minute treatment that begins with a private steam bath, followed by 10 minutes of extra hydrotherapy directly on the back, legs and feet. Clients are then treated to a 50-minute aromatherapy massage, which includes a warm neck pillow and warm eye pillow and warm booties and mittens for the hands and feet, then a neck and scalp massage to finish the day. Normally $130, it has been offered on special for $65.

King Spa & Sauna (847-972-2540, KingSpa.com), in Niles, is a different type of a spa experience. While clients can get massages and other treatments, the real treat is that the 24/7 spa is very clean and affordable. For $30, clients can access the facility for 24 hours, which provides entry to all nine sauna rooms, whirlpool and spa tubs, a movie theater and lounge area. For additional fees, clients can book massages starting at $50. Deal sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial often feature promotions for King Spa to make the experience even more affordable.

Don’t Forget the Massage Therapy Schools

Massage therapy schools are among the best-kept secrets when it comes to affordable massages. Shazeen Mohammad, student affairs manager at European Massage Therapy School (847-673-7595, School-For-Massage.com), in Skokie, says the student clinic is open to the public and students appreciate the opportunity to work with clients. Class sizes are small, with just 12 to 16 students, and only after they are approved to be in the clinic are they allowed to work with clients.

Because the services are still considered part of their training, the prices are reflected as such. A 60-minute relaxation massage is just $25. “Our 90-minute Swedish massage is one of our most popular,” says Mohammad. “It’s also only $35, which makes it very affordable.” It’s very easy to book an appointment online and conveniently located on the seventh floor of the Professional Building at Old Orchard Mall.

For those closer to the Loop, the River North Massage Therapy Center (312-854-2834, RiverNorthMassage.com), in the River North neighborhood, is the student clinic for The New School for Massage, Bodywork & Healing. Student massages start at $40 for 55 minutes, and participating in the monthly Wellness Plan provides additional savings.

Finding the Right Fit Matters, Too

Chicagoan Tina Velazquez admits she’s had to put her regular massages on the back burner lately because she’s been busy, but is hoping she gets back on track this year. “Having massages on a regular basis helps all around,” she says. “Mind, body and soul. When I’m more relaxed and comfortable, everyone is more relaxed.” Velazquez has been seeing someone regularly until recently and feels it’s more important to find someone with whom she’s comfortable rather than focusing on price alone.

Susanne Donoghue, from Evanston, agrees with Velazquez. She visits Zen Shiatsu Chicago, in Evanston, as often as she can, which isn’t often enough, she says. “They are a training school for shiatsu practitioners, and I go to them because I trust and like them and I feel so wonderful afterwards,” says Donoghue. “My family knows this is a treasured gift, so I often get to go for my birthday or Christmas, or even an anniversary sometimes.” 

Like Velazquez, Donoghue finds visits to Zen Shiatsu Chicago (847-864-1130, ZenShiatsuChicago.org) beneficial. She says, “Is it important to feel good physically? It is for me. Is it important to get in touch with your deepest being? It is for me. Is it important to be touched in a caring way, even by a stranger? Yes. Is it important to be able to give yourself a treat that won’t add pounds or worries or subtract substantially from your savings? Ditto. During a massage, my body feels so alive, I can practically hear the neurons zinging along. Afterwards, I have greater range of mobility, greater alertness and a sense of rest that I don’t always have unless I’ve had a good night’s sleep. I can invest in eight hours of sleep or one hour of massage.”

At the end of the day, the goal is to find a place that helps us relax and re-energize. A spa treatment such as massage might be more affordable and within reach than we think, with benefits that far outweigh the price tag.

Disclaimer: Prices listed in this article were publicly listed at press time. Current prices may vary; check with the business before booking a service.

Megy Karydes loves a good spa day, and after this horrid winter we’ve been experiencing, she’s booked some massages so she makes it to spring. Find her at a nearby spa or at KarydesConsulting.com.