Ho-Hum Spa Treatments

Maybe I'm a masochist, or maybe I just have a high pain tolerance, but when I get a facial or a massage, I want it to do something. I'm not just there for a little relaxation. On our recent cruise, my husband and I signed up for a couple's massage, but since I was not yet 12 weeks pregnant, they were unable to give me a massage, which I desperately wanted and needed. (I'm going Thursday instead, while my mom watches Lola, for my first prenatal massage of this pregnancy!).
So instead, I had to settle for a lackluster facial and a ho-hum manicure. Now normally I would have jumped at the chance to have a facial and a manicure. Who wouldn't? But it wasn't a real facial or a real manicure, in my opinion. The very sweet esthetician used some amazing Elemis products, but it was one of those facials where you lie around a lot with stuff on your face. There was no massage, no extractions, no studying my face under the bright light. It wasn't all that productive. When I left, I just looked like I'd washed my face really well. It didn't really accomplish anything.
The manicure was the same way. It was performed while I was still reclined, during the facial, and it was a quick shaping and a couple of coats of Essie "It's Delicate," which barely made it to the end of the three-day cruise. What a disappointment. My first professional manicure in months (sigh - I remember when I had a weekly standing appointment, but that was life before Lola) and it was totally useless. My cuticles didn't even look any better.
And it wasn't as if these haphazard treatments were cheap. I paid almost $300 for the 75 minute treatment. If anything, I left frustrated and a little more stressed.
No wonder I need a massage.
What's your opinion on spa treatments? Do you go for relaxation or for results?