points distribution

The point system is always based on 100% which is divided into 10 categories of ratings based on a score from 0 to 10
This way one has a clear way of scoring in multiple categories which will often make it very obvious whether it is good or bad in the overall score.
The 10 categories can apply to massage therapists as well as spas each with their own way of rating details. Which you can find more about below in the explanation for each category.

Scoring Categories

Location icon

Location

Under location, I go over whether it is easily accessible.
Whether it is quietly located or in an industrial area or if there is a lot of noise from nearby residents.

But also a big factor is privacy especially when we talk about spas.

Welcoming logo

Welcoming

If one is friendly and of good will, a person will go a long way.
The overall feeling that the massage therapist or spa host leaves with me of wanting to help and welcome someone is the most important thing as an introduction.
Apart from this, I look at how the spa host describes everything to me in terms of additional services, whether there is the possibility of something to eat or drink.
When touring the spa together with the host, I look to see if they have an explanation on how to use the infrastructure.
These are some examples that I let myself be persuaded with when making a new acquaintance.

Hygiene logo

Hygiene

For me, this always starts with a bathroom visit wherever I go.
How the bathroom displays cleanliness often reflects well how the location as a whole displays cleanliness.
Beyond that, I check that the rooms are clean and that when I walk around inside there is no sand stuck under my bare feet.
At spas, I also check the pool, hot tubs and other infrastructure.

Interior logo

Interior

Here I check that everything is still working properly and there are no unfinished materials.
Furthermore, there is not much to judge about taste personally and in my opinion, excellent hygiene already solves a lot with the style of the interior.
That said, I will certainly let you know when a location looks exceptionally nice.
But also when the interior really needs updating.
But I am certainly not going to fall over colors and choice of materials when I see and feel that the host who may be of an older generation is doing everything possible to take care of it to perfection.

ServicesTechniques logo

Services/Techniques

The most important part which should not disappoint.

Only in this way everything contributes to the successful experience for which we eventually booked.



How one succeeds as a professional massage therapist or spa host to make someone as comfortable as possible and help them in their search and need for relaxation and rest.



A must here is the professional knowledge and continuous training in possibilities of relaxation techniques or packages for the visitor, or how one has clearly already finished this in its offer.



Here I judge primarily the ability of the massage therapist.

On a spa visit, this includes seeing what options are given to me in terms of packages and, again, the quality of these packages or treatments.



Online VS. real represance logo

Online vs. real represance

Sometimes it happens that a real experience is even more surprising than what you already saw online in those few teaser images.

But it can also be the case that the real experience upon arrival is far removed from what you were shown online.

I’ll reveal all the hidden details for you here and I’ll let you know if the reality matches the online represance.

Temperature logo

Temperature

Being surrounded by warmth when you don’t have much clothing around your body gives an incredibly pleasant feeling of relaxation and coziness.

Having to suffer coldness where your body vibrates, for example, or where you start chattering teeth feels incredibly unpleasant and it will distract you from being able to relax with your massage.

The lack of a heated room both at a massage therapist and at a spa is simply not done.

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Products

There are those spa visits where you are so surprised by the nice smell of the shampoo or hand soap that you suddenly feel like changing everything back at home, too.

Some spas provide little things like scrub powder, which is a nice extra but not available everywhere.

What immediately stands out at a massage therapist is the quality of the oil so that it does not dry out every time and has to be reapplied.
Also the scents to face creams that some massage therapists use in face massages are so heavenly.

These little things and so much more are all just simple gestures but here you can often see who really goes to great lengths for their guests.

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Music

Here I listen if the music is not too loud when you cannot adjust it yourself.

I hear if the music infrastructure does not crackle in the speakers.

What options there are to choose between suggested stations in a spa.

Whether there is a possibility to connect with your own playlist.

Whether the music at a massage is in line with a relaxation moment, the style of music I leave free because this is something personal.

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Price

After my entire experience with a massage therapist or spa and having undergone all services and treatments there.
I mainly check whether it is the right price for what you get.

I have already experienced that the price is extremely affordable compared to all the good things that are offered to you.
Where I personally have the feeling that “they can easily ask for more.”
These are some of those real hidden gems.

But on the other hand, I have also experienced that the price is not in contrast with what they offer you and you can certainly find better places among my other reviews.