The Spa Experience: How to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck this Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day* coming up you may be thinking of using your special day to get away and relax at the spa. But, with these economic times we want to get the most (and best) for our money, especially if it’s pure pampering. So, what treatment gives you the best value and, how do you make sure that the spa is really clean? We turned to Breezy Mama friend and spa owner Stephanie Phelan to give us the rub down on the best way to relax—because the last thing we want on Mother’s Day is the gift of infection.

What should people look for to make sure a spa has been inspected by the health department?

A Massage Establishment license is the most important. Also, all therapists and estheticians should display licenses in their massage rooms.

What is required for a spa to pass a health and safety inspection?

We are required to go through a lengthy process with the Santa Barbara (where Stephanie’s spa, Float, is located) police department to obtain a Massage Establishment License. This involves a fee, application, fingerprinting, background check and a walk-through from an officer. The officer makes sure we have sanitary stations, lockers, sinks, etc. We are also inspected by the Board of Cosmetology–they look out for the cleanliness of the Facial rooms. Read More…