Relax! Hotels.com Shares Tips for Planning a Spa Vacation

		50 first prize winners in the Hotels.com "Celebrate Spring Sweepstakes" will receive a Delphi XM MyFi(TM) handheld satellite radio with one year of basic service and free activation. One lucky grand prize winner will win a "Celebrate Spring" vacation from Hotels.com and XM Satellite Radio. (PRNewsFoto) DALLAS, TX USA

DALLAS, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leave the summer stresses behind and think about relaxing and rejuvenating at a spa resort. According to Hotels.com, the number of vacationers looking for a spa vacation is on the rise; and for good reason, Americans are stressed, overworked and in desperate need of a little R&R. With the increasing popularity of spa vacations, hotels and resorts are competing with each other to offer the most luxurious and exotic treatments from Japanese body treatments to nutrition and fitness instruction. Hotel spas are a respite for the weary traveler and, they're not just for women! The International SPA Association reports that male consumers now comprise nearly 30 percent of all spa-goers, signaling a trend that industry insiders say is only just beginning to take off. In fact, even teen spas are popping up in resorts around the country offering hip treatments for the coolest teens. "A spa vacation is a great way to relax and recharge and the best part is there are so many great resorts to choose from," said Carl Minto-Sparks, senior vice president of marketing and retail operations for Hotels.com. "And to really make this experience affordable, many of Hotels.com hotel partners are offering discounts on spa treatments when reservations are booked through Hotels.com." Wondering how you can plan a spa vacation of your own? Follow this advice from Hotels.com: 1. Identify the location Hotels.com enables the customer to search by destination, price or amenity and to read detailed descriptions and view photos of the properties and their spa offerings. 2. Choose the type of spa you would like to visit Pick a focus based on what you need and let that guide your choice of activities. -- Health and Wellness: Explore healthy living and discover how lifestyle choices can lead to optimal wellness. -- Fitness: Work out in fitness classes, enjoy invigorating body treatments, participate in indoor/outdoor sports activities. -- Stress Management: Learn relaxation techniques, how to manage stress and other strategies for feeling more in balance and in control. -- Spiritual Journey: Experience meditation, yoga, tai chi, chi gong and other practices or activities that lead to serenity, understanding and self acceptance. -- Pampering and Pleasure: Relax with massages, facials, mud or aroma baths and other delightful treatments for a completely enjoyable vacation. Destination spas can vary a great deal in the luxuries and amenities they offer, so there is a wide price range. To make a spa vacation more affordable, consider these options: 1. Stay during the week for the lowest rates. Destination spas usually have a three-night minimum. A Thursday night arrival will cost more than a Sunday night arrival. 2. Travel off-season. In the Northeast, rates are lower in the winter, higher in the summer. It's the reverse in the Southwest and Florida. 3. Take advantage of savings online. Hotels.com TripBucks(TM) are destination specific coupons customers can choose when they book thru http://www.hotels.com for added savings during their trip on dining, attractions and shopping that makes a difference when budgeting. Below is a sample of spa resorts available for booking on http://www.hotels.com or thru 800-2-HOTELS: Hawks Cay Resort (FL Keys); Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa (Phoenix); Doral Golf Resort & Spa (Miami); W Hotel New York (NYC); Watermark Hotel & Spa (San Antonio); Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa (Santa Rosa, CA); Aventura Spa Palace (Akumal, Mexico) See http://www.hotels.com for details. About Hotels.com Hotels.com is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering reservation services through its own websites (including http://www.hotels.com and others), its interactive affiliate network (http://www.IAN.com ), and its toll-free call centers (1-800-2-HOTELS). Hotels.com gives travelers the widest selection of lodging accommodations from traditional hotels to vacation rentals at more than 17,000 properties in more than 400 cities in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. The company is a one-stop shopping source for hotel pricing, amenities and availability, and also specializes in providing travelers with accommodations during sold-out periods. See website for details and restrictions. Hotels.com is an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq: IACI). CST: 2059975-40. Media Inquiries, Contact: Diana Gold PR Manager for Hotels.com 469-335-1315/dgold@hotels.com