With the hustle and bustle of the holidays nearly over, many of us will be looking for ways to rest and recharge in 2016. Often, that can mean a trip, or several, to a favorite spa.

Veronique Paquet of Creative Force Consulting has worked in the spa industry for over 15 years and has traveled to some of the world’s best spas. The trends she sees in the industry include a broader focus on overall wellness, not just a quick jaunt in for a standard massage.

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“With the rising cost of health care, people are looking at spas in a different way. They’re looking at health initiatives in more of a preventative way, more of a wellness and prevention measure, as compared to a luxury,” she said. “People are seeking a broad variety of treatments that can also add value to the experience.”

Paquet says she looks for added value with spas, such as bathing rituals, amenities like a salt cave or a reflexology room, or a meditation room.

Water treatments are increasingly on the menu of treatment options. “The added value is that you can do a hot and cold water therapy ritual, and the variation between the two puts your muscles in a neutral position so that you’re maximizing that treatment. Your muscles will better receive treatment, and it’s great for all ages — seniors, a younger clientele. It’s a non-invasive approach to a great therapeutic experience.”

What follows are a number of Paquet’s recommendations for a 2016 spa destination, along with a few of our own. Whether you’re looking for a hotel spa, a destination spa or a more structured experience, these options are wonderful resources to consider.

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