High on stress but low on cash? No problem.
Next week is Philadelphia spa week - but you'd better book your reservations this weekend.
Starting Monday, spas and salons across Philadelphia are offering $50 deals for the week on everything from hour-long Swedish massages to seasonal apple-and-spice facials.
The specials are part of the annual Spa Week, which takes place this week or next week in 10 cities nationwide.
Lindesey Gockenbach, a spokeswoman from C&R; Media, the company that started Spa Week, said the event promotes health and wellness, without breaking the bank.
Dianne DiBernardo, spa manager at Ananda, a day spa as well as a fitness center located at Fourth and Walnut streets, said Spa Week organizers contacted the salons to solicit their participation, and the results have been incredible.
"We're almost booked up," DiBernardo added.
According to Spa Week's Web site, most spas that participate see an increase of 15 to 45 percent in new business as a direct result of Spa Week. Some spas are expanding the discount period, such as the Pure Bliss Wellness Center and Spa at 17th and Walnut streets, where reservations are filling up so fast that the business has extended the discount offer through Oct. 28.
Penn students - even those who have never frequented a spa - say the prices of the specials are tempting.
"I think that is an amazing price," College freshman Mary Kate McKnight said.
"I have never been to a spa, but if they were offering those deals, I would definitely consider going and telling my friends about it," she added.
Area salons such as Total Serenity Wholistic Day Spa at 21st and Walnut streets say they are hoping that Spa Week will attract more students to their facilities.
"We would like to get more of that [student] business," Total Serenity Executive Assistant Alison Campbell said.
Campbell added that certain specials, such as Total Serenity's "stress buster" - a half-hour refresher facial followed by a half-hour massage - could appeal to overworked college students.
Gockenbach said that consumer research has shown that Spa Week generally attracts women between the ages of 25 and 45.
