Despite economic downturn, customers still love their spas

Even in tough economic times -- or maybe because of them-- people are still visiting spas to help them relax and feel rejuvenated.

A study by spafinder.com, an online spa booking and review site, showed that 58 percent of spa booking agents expect 2008 to be stronger than 2007.

On Hilton Head Island, many spa owners and managers say they're having a good year.

At Faces Day Spa, owner Patricia Owen planned for a rough year that never came. Sales have been up so far over 2007.

"We didn't see that coming," Owen said. "How lucky are we?"

The Heavenly Spa at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa reports similar results.

"We are exceeding expectations," said spa director Brandi Byrd-Lavertu. "There's no effect (from the economic downturn) at this point."

The Sanctuary: A European Day Spa has seen a small drop-off in business because regular customers are spending less, said owner Lisa Murphy. And she doesn't agree with the results of the SpaFinder survey.

"I'm surprised they say the numbers are up because everyone I know in the spa industry is down," Murphy said.

Still, the drop-off Murphy has seen is only a few months old. Customers, both locals and tourists, are cutting back on treatments, not cutting service completely, she said. The decline isn't as bad as she expected.

She attributes that to the benefits of a massage or a facial, such as relaxation or improved looks, that don't occur with other things folks splurge on.

"For a lot of people, this is their one luxury," she said.

Owen, owner of Faces, points to the health and wellness aspect of spas, which many customers view as essential for reducing stress.

"The theory is that they do have to cut out so many other things, that they think this is the one thing they are entitled to," Owen said.

There are other reasons for strong sales on Hilton Head Island.

The spa at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort should finish this year better than 2007, in part because of increased demand by those attending weddings and more men getting treatments, said Earl Nightingale,

resort general manager.

Spas are also becoming part of a vacation experience for more travelers, said Ken Nason, director of sales and marketing at the Westin.

"Honestly, it's almost expected by travelers now," he said.

That's an expectation shared across the country, according to

Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder.

Spas have evolved from being associated only with the wealthiest people, she said in a news release. "Spa travel is increasingly a fundamental part of the health and wellness regime for many Americans -- young and old."