Travel Advice: finding the right spa for you

About 20 years ago when hotels began adding spas to their facilities it seemed like it would just be a fad. But now there is hardly a hotel around the country without some form of spa facilities. One Irish spa website lists 192 properties around the country, ranging from wellness centres to super-luxury hotels. There are spa treatments to suit everyone.

Spas distinguish themselves by the products they use and the treatments that are available, and whether they are about wellness, beauty or offering more therapeutic treatments.

Thalasso therapy is a form of therapeutic treatment using sea water and is only available in a few places in Ireland; Inchydoney Island Lodge, Kilkee Thalasso Therapy, Redcastle Hotel andKelly's Seaspa.

Clara House holistic spa makes use of a product from its area in the midlands – peat – and has a range of treatments using it. Espa is a popular product in Irish spas, and Powerscourt Hotel is combining it with mindful treatments, massages, relaxation to focus the mind.

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Monart is a destination spa in Wexford, and is entirely devoted to improving your health and wellness. It is set in beautiful grounds. Many country house hotels have spas, and they are well used, particularly at weekends. Dunbrody House has treatments for couples guaranteed to rejuvenate you.

There are a some spas that can provide treatments for people with cancer. They include Clayton Whites in Wexford that also does cryotherapy for pain management, the Radisson Galway has touch therapy and Castle Lesliehas a Chemo Comfort treatment. The Rainforest Spaat the Summerhill House Hotel in Wicklow does cancer-care treatments. Fota Island Resort has a walking river and hydrotherapy area, ideal for strengthening legs and easing muscles, popular with sportspeople.

jscales@irishtimes.com