Finding the sweet spot between indulgence and affordability just got easier for spa aficionados, thanks to new research highlighting the optimal days for spa treatments and getaways.
A recent study by Journey, a hospitality technology firm, has uncovered that Thursday is the golden day for spa enthusiasts seeking both relaxation and value, offering approximately 13% savings compared to the peak weekend rates.
Conversely, Saturday has emerged as the priciest and most crowded day for spa visits, signaling a prime time for savings on alternative days.
The research, drawing on over 73,000 bookings across nearly 120 upscale spa hotels in the UK and Ireland, aims to guide both consumers and spas in optimizing their experiences and operations.
With wellness tourism booming and predicted to see a 52% revenue increase from 2024 to 2027, savvy booking can enhance the accessibility of wellness practices for the urban population.
For those hunting for the best spa day deals, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the most cost-effective, while the weekend brings the highest prices and crowds. Similarly, for individual treatments, Wednesdays and Thursdays provide the most bang for your buck, with the weekend again being the busiest and most expensive.
Laura Meeson, Spa Director at Journey, advises booking spa days on Thursdays or Tuesdays to escape the weekend surge, noting a trend towards more last-minute bookings as consumers closely monitor their spending. She recommends booking at least five weeks in advance for specific dates, reflecting a shift in consumer booking behavior to more closely manage personal finances.
The move towards digital booking solutions in the spa industry is in response to a digitally savvy consumer base and a cautious spending approach amid rising living costs. Meeson highlights the necessity for spas to adopt online booking platforms to meet customer expectations and stay competitive in the wellness market.
Journey’s findings also indicate a significant year-on-year increase in online bookings for spa days and breaks, demonstrating the growing preference for digital convenience in the wellness sector.
Spa Day appointments
% of total bookings | Ave revenue per booking | |
Monday | 15.1% | £114.08 |
Tuesday | 12.8% | £113.31 |
Wednesday | 13.5% | £113.58 |
Thursday | 15.4% | £111.44 |
Friday | 14.7% | £122.04 |
Saturday | 15.6% | £129.22 |
Sunday | 12.9% | £125.04 |
Data from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
Spa Treatment appointments
% of total bookings | Ave revenue per booking | |
Monday | 11.9% | £77.39 |
Tuesday | 11.0% | £76.03 |
Wednesday | 11.3% | £74.90 |
Thursday | 12.5% | £75.05 |
Friday | 16.3% | £80.55 |
Saturday | 21.4% | £85.59 |
Sunday | 15.6% | £85.34 |
Data from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
Spa Breaks – lead time for bookings
2022 | 2023 | Change YOY | |
Jan-Mar | 34 days | 32 days | -5.9% |
Apr-Jun | 36 days | 22 days | -38.9% |
Jul-Sep | 27 days | 25 days | -7.4% |
Oct-Dec | 28 days | 26 days | -7.14% |
Full year | 31.25 days | 26.25 days | -16% |
Data from 1 January to 31 December each year
