Couples-Only Spa venues

A couples' spa is a type of spa organised around treatment rooms where two people can be treated in the same room at the same time, or around private suites with doors that close. Not every spa with couples' massage on its menu falls into this type; what counts is having a room that fits two tables, or a suite the couple can use without meeting other guests.

Room layout and services

Qualia Spa, listed in the couples' spa category, is inside Delta Hotels Levent in Esentepe, Şişli, Istanbul. According to the property information, it has a hammam and sauna as well as couples' massage rooms and private VIP suites; its service list includes couples' massage and a spa package. In packages for couples, use of the hammam or sauna and side-by-side massages are usually combined into a single programme.

Who it suits

A couples' spa suits those who want to spend a day such as an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday together, those having a massage for the first time who want someone they know beside them, and those who do not want to meet other guests in shared areas such as the hammam. The room can be used not only by couples but also by a mother and daughter or two friends; whether this is possible varies by venue.

How it differs from a couples' massage at a standard hotel spa

A couples' spa describes a set-up, not a location; that is why it appears alongside other types. The example in the guide is also listed as a hotel spa, wellness centre and hotel hammam. When a couples' massage is requested at a standard hotel spa, the two people may be taken to adjoining rooms and the wet area is shared with other guests; in a couples' set-up, the room and suite are designed for two people from the outset.

Questions to ask before booking

• Whether the two of you will be treated in the same room or in adjoining rooms, and for how long the private suite is reserved.
• Whether the hammam and sauna are inside the suite or in a shared area; if shared, how use is arranged for women and men.
• Whether the two of you can have different types of massage or different pressure.
• If you are pregnant, which treatments can be done; the guide to massage and spa during pregnancy and your doctor's opinion will guide you here. People with cardiovascular disease or blood pressure problems should also consult a doctor before using the hot areas.

How to plan a spa day as a couple is explained step by step in the guide to a spa day for couples.