Spa: Encyclopedia - Spa

Spa

The term spa is traditionally used to mean a place where water that is believed to have special health-giving properties occurs. This is usually a mineral or hot spring. While some believe that the term is derived from the Belgian town of Spa, it is generally believed that it is an acronym for the phrase "Salus Per Acquam."

A modern spa can be a luxurious resort or resort hotel, that may be located near a special water source or offers hot tub or similar warm-water hydromassage facilities. In some cases, it can refer to a high end hotel or resort that caters to individuals seeking privacy.

Spa can also refer to places:

• Spa, Belgium
  • Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, often shortened to "Spa"; a racing circuit located in Spa, Belgium
• Spa town

Baths:

• Bathing
• Hot spring
  • Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs)
  • Thermae (Roman Hot Springs)

Personal care:

• A place to go for an extended stay that provides luxurious body treatments. These can include body wraps, baths, massages, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, aromatherapy, nutrition and weight guidance, private trainers, yoga, and meditation. See also resort spa, health spa, day spa, destination spa, trim spa.
• A large tub for soaking, usually outdoors and containing whirlpool jets. See hot tub.

Other uses:

• Soda fountain Eastern New England, US usage

See also

• SPA
• Sauna

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Spa", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki