Ahh, the spa—what better way to relax when you’re on vacation? (Or, you know, even when you haven’t left town).
From body wraps to massages and everything in between, it seems there’s a treatment for everything these days. But we bet you haven’t heard about any of these insanely cool spa treatments that actually exist, and we know you’ll want to book your appointment ASAP if you’re looking for something truly out of the ordinary:
The treatment: Green tea, sake, red wine, and coffee baths
Where you can find it: Yunessun in Hakone, Japan
What it does: Why stop at drinking your favorite beverages when you can also swim in them? As strange as it sounds, the spa promises that each bath provides an array of different benefits: The green tea bath improves circulation, sake will improve your skin, red wine rejuvenates, and coffee helps with the skin and fatigue (especially if you drink some while you’re doing laps!)
The cost: Flat admission charge ranging between $10 and $27, depending on your age and where you want to bathe (or drink?)
The treatment: Cactus massage
Where you can find it: Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico
What it does: OK, so it’s not officially called the cactus massage, but this spa’s signature massage (the Hakali massage) is probably unlike anything you’ve ever done. Don’t worry, this isn’t as bad as it sounds. The pricklies are removed from the cactuses (cacti?) and they actually provide additional healing benefits.
The cost: $195-$285, 50-80 minutes
The treatment: Bird poop facial
Where you can find it: Shizuka New York Day Spa, New York City, New York
What it does: Who says you need to leave the country to find something weird at a spa? The bird doo-doo facial (referred to technically as the Geisha Facial) uses droppings from Japanese nightingale. The properties in the poo is meant to brighten, nourish, and soften the skin.
The cost: $180, 60 minutes
The treatment: Blood facial
Where you can find it: Prasad Cosmetic Surgery, New York City, New York
What it does: Had your heart set on getting a strange facial in the Big Apple, but not really a fan of bird poop? The Vampire Facial with Dr. Prasad just might be up your alley. As their site says, the facial “combines platelet rich plasma (PRP) with the use of sterile micro needle dermal stimulation.” AKA blood. Benefits include softening of wrinkles and fine lines and reversal of superficial sun damage.
The cost: $1,200, 45 minutes (may vary)
The treatment: Snake massage
Where you can find it: Ada Barak’s Carnivorous Plant Farm, Israel
What it does: Who knew massages could get weird, too? Well, they can at Ada Barak’s Carnivorous Plant Farm in Israel, where you can receive a massage by snakes. Pretty cool if you’re a fan of snakes, but if you aren’t, quite possibly the stuff that nightmares are made out of. Just think twice before asking for firmer pressure.
The cost: $70
Out of curiosity, what’s the strangest spa experience you’ve ever had? Have you ever tried any of the treatments on our list? We’d definitely like to hear about it!
