Luxury hotels and spas should always be seeking ways to elevate the guest experience while keeping operational costs in check. One effective strategy is the introduction of thoughtful, low-cost service add-ons and upsells that enhance perceived value without significantly impacting the spa’s bottom line. Small touches can create memorable experiences for guests while providing opportunities to increase revenue per visit.
Spas can integrate affordable, high-impact add-ons and upsells into their services, showing that delivering exceptional guest experiences doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag for you or the customer — even the most affluent consumers appreciate a good deal. By strategically choosing enhancements that align with guest expectations and wellness trends, spas can achieve higher profitability while maintaining the high standards their clientele expect. Below, we’ve calculated just how much these strategies can increase revenue, but first:
Here are 41 ideas for low- or- no- cost add-ons and upsells you can offer in your spa
1. Crystal-infused aromatherapy
Guests choose from crystal-infused essential oils for their treatment, like rose quartz for love or amethyst for relaxation.
2. Sound bath enhancement
Add a short sound therapy session with Tibetan singing bowls or crystal bowls to any massage or facial.
3. CBD-infused treatments
Offer a CBD oil upgrade for massages to enhance relaxation and reduce inflammation.
4. Customized body scrubs
Guests create their own exfoliating scrub by selecting from unique ingredients like coffee grounds, Himalayan salt, and exotic fruit extracts.
5. Reflexology add-on
A 15-minute reflexology session to relieve tension and improve circulation through foot pressure points.
6. Scalp and hair ritual
Include a deeply nourishing scalp massage with essential oils and a hydrating hair mask during any treatment.
7. Sleep ritual therapy
Offer a guided sleep meditation or aromatherapy pillow mist for guests struggling with sleep.
8. Mini Reiki healing session
A brief energy balancing session to align chakras and promote inner harmony.
9. Handwritten affirmations or affirmation cards
Guests receive personalized affirmations, printed affirmation cards, or mantras to take home with a positive or inspiring message.
10. Infrared therapy blanket
Incorporate an infrared blanket for muscle relaxation and detoxification before or after the main treatment.
11. Gua sha facial massage
Add a gua sha tool session for lifting and lymphatic drainage during facials.
12. Herbal foot soak
Start treatments with a soothing soak using local or seasonal herbs and flowers.
13. Hand and foot paraffin treatment
Offer warm paraffin wraps to deeply moisturize hands and feet.
14. Hydration booster
Add a hydration-focused product like a hyaluronic acid serum to facial treatments for a glowing finish.
15. Eye and lip treatments
Offer a collagen-boosting mask for the eyes and/or a nourishing lip scrub and balm.
16. Hot stone treatment
Include hot stones applied to specific tension areas during a massage.
17. Aromatherapy sensory journey
Let guests create their own essential oil blend to use during their treatment and take home.
18. Digital detox kit
Offer a pouch with a lockable phone case, aromatherapy roller, and a mindfulness journal to encourage tech-free relaxation.
19. Detox tea pairing
Serve a specially formulated herbal tea post-treatment to complement the guest’s chosen therapy, such as a calming chamomile tea or detoxifying green tea blend.
20. DIY relaxation playlist
Let guests choose from curated playlists (e.g., nature sounds, classical, or meditative music) during their treatment.
21. Guided breathing exercise
Begin treatments with a short, guided breathing exercise to promote relaxation.
22. Mood-lighting options
Allow guests to customize the lighting in the treatment room (dim, soft glow, or candlelight).
23. Cold eye compress
Offer a chilled compress infused with cucumber or chamomile for a quick eye refresh.
24. Guided visualization
Offer a short visualization exercise (e.g., imagining a serene beach or forest) before the treatment begins.
25. Stretching session and stretch recommendations
End the treatment with a guided 2-minute stretch to release tension and share simple, tailored stretches guests can do at home.
26. Hand massage
Include a hand massage while a facial mask sets or finish treatments with a luxurious, scented hand cream.
27. Wellness journaling prompt
Provide a journal page with prompts for gratitude or mindfulness to take home.
28. Exfoliating foot scrub
Incorporate a quick sugar or salt foot scrub during pedicures or massages.
29. DIY herbal sachets
Provide guests with a small sachet of dried herbs like lavender or chamomile to take home as a relaxation aid.
30. Aromatherapy eye mask
Use a lightly scented eye mask during treatments to relieve stress and reduce puffiness.
31. Chakra stone placement
Enhance relaxation by placing small chakra stones on key energy points during massages or body treatments.
32. Warm bamboo sticks
Incorporate warm bamboo sticks for a brief muscle-relieving massage on tension points.
33. Hydrating sheet mask
Use a quick, hydrating sheet mask during treatments for an extra boost of moisture.
34. Personalized scent roller
Create a small aromatherapy rollerball blend for guests to take home, personalized to their preferences.
35. Herbal tea infusion kits
Provide a small sachet of herbal tea (loose leaf or bags) for guests to enjoy at home after their spa day.
36. Handmade bath salts
Offer a small jar of scented bath salts as a post-treatment gift or optional upgrade.
37. Post-treatment glow spray
Spritz a refreshing facial mist infused with rose water or aloe after facials or massages.
38. Candlelight enhancement
Add small candles to the treatment room and offer guests a votive candle to take home.
39. Dry brushing session
Begin treatments with a dry brushing technique to exfoliate and promote circulation.
40. Charcoal or clay detox mask
Add a detoxifying mask for hands, feet, or face during body treatments.
41. Wellness smoothie flight
Offer a tasting flight of healthy smoothies or juice blends post-treatment.
How much can add-ons and upsells increase spa & hotel revenue?
By leveraging your existing customer base and enhancing their experience with additional offerings, businesses can significantly boost revenue without the need for extensive capital investments.
Suzanne Holbrook, Senior Director of Spa Operations for Marriott and Ritz Carlton, told Spa Executive in a 2021 interview about a program that generated outstanding results:
I launched a company-wide program about 11 years ago called Spa Plus, where the front desk or therapist would be financially incentivized for offering an upgrade within treatment time, like stones, face masks, CBD, scalp treatments etc, for an additional cost. We developed a comprehensive training platform including manuals and videos to ensure the teams were fully educated and prepared. By 2019, revenue had increased by $8 million with an 80% profit.
You too can increase profits with these same tactics. Let’s do some math.
Looking at potential incremental revenue generated by offering $15 add-ons to $150 services to half of a spa’s clientele, we’ve segmented this into weekday and weekend revenues for a spa that operates year-round except for an estimated 12 major holidays.
From Monday to Wednesday, let’s assume the spa administers 40 treatments daily at $150. After adjusting for holiday closures, there are approximately 150 of these days annually. By selling $15 upsells to 50% of customers, the additional revenue amounts to approximately $45,257.
From Thursday to Sunday, let’s assume the spa sells a higher volume of treatments, approximately 200 per day. After adjusting for the holiday closures, there are about 200 of these days. Using the same upsell strategy during these days results in an increased annual revenue of approximately $301,714. In a more expensive spa, selling $250 services and add-ons for an average $25, this number jumps to an annual increase of $578,286, or well over half a million dollars.
This analysis clearly demonstrates the financial benefits of adopting targeted upsell strategies.
Incorporating thoughtfully curated add-ons and upsells into your spa’s service menu is both a strategy for enhancing the guest experience and a proven path to significantly boosting revenue. With the right approach, your spa can deliver exceptional value while reaping the rewards of increased financial performance.
Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.
About Book4Time
Book4Time is the leading cloud-based spa and ancillary revenue management software for the world’s top hotels and resorts, used by more Forbes 5-Star resorts than any other vendor. Book4Time manages the end-to-end guest experience for hotels, resorts and clubs in over 100 countries worldwide and is the preferred solution for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious hospitality brands including Marriott, Accor, Hilton, Hyatt and Four Seasons.
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