Luxury spas are not just for women anymore!

Some of the greatest and best-known luxury resorts and spas in the world like Canyon Ranch now offer unique spa and body treatments designed exclusively for men.

Thinking that most men won’t sign up for something called "herbal mist skin embrace," most spas refer to these treatments with a more masculine appeal like " plain old body treatment."

Like many other people, I entered my own world of body treatments after experiencing my first massage and my love for spas grew from there. It would not be until years later that my husband would join me in this ritual.

Vacations were spent pretty much in this fashion; I would saunter off to the spa during the morning hours and my husband would relax by the pool or head off to the golf course. We would meet up later in the day for dinner and spend the evenings together.

A minor back injury some years later would forever change this vacation routine. Forced to visit a massage therapist, my husband grew to love massages and his natural progression to body treatments ensued from there. In the world of spas and body treatments, the need to experience the latest treatments is as addictive as a fresh cup of mountain grown coffee.

We have been exploring luxury resorts and spas for more than a decade and yet it never seems to amaze us how often some people find it un-masculine for my husband to be enjoying such a "girlish" passion. He does not hesitate to respond quickly and state his point. "That is exactly what I used to think and I was so wrong about that," he has often been heard as saying.

Although he has succeeded to change many minds, spas are still largely the domain of women. The travel and resort industry is trying hard to change that.

Spas are now creating male-friendly treatments, simplifying decor, ditching gardenia and jasmine lotions, and exchanging wildlife sounds for televised sports. A massage while you watch a football game is a great way for men to relax and indulge.

Despite many efforts this has not created an entire revolution in the resort and spa industry as statistics show 71 percent of all spa visitors in North America are still in fact women – mostly women under 44 but things are slowly changing. It is largely known that men are starting to buy more facial and beauty products and in time when men feel more comfortable with the idea, spas will catch on. Spas like the Canyon Ranch in Tuscan who are now just beginning to start these new programs will be the leaders in the industry when the revolution takes off and it seems as though it is an inevitability.

A week at luxury resorts and spas compares favorably to a similar week at a top-notch golf or ski resort but the difference is clear, the benefits to your mind, body and spirit are immeasurable. Try something new next time your on vacation with a loved one; go to the spa as a couple and hopefully you will create a lifelong bond and passion for something that you can do together.

Plan your next resort vacation with our luxury travel agents at concierge@luxetraveldeals.com.