Your trip to the spa should be heavenly, and you’re quite entitled to be fussy about the place. Dr Nadine de Freitas, executive director of the South African Spa Association, recommends taking a tour before you book an appointment, and check that the spa meets the following criteria:

The Rooms Are Private. You don’t want to be getting a bikini wax in a room with walls that don’t reach the ceiling. Nor do you want to walk past the men’s room wearing an itty-bitty bathrobe.

It’s Clean. The facial and massage areas should be well scrubbed, well lit and ventilated. “If used towels, tissues or robes are lying around, this is not the spa for you,” says De Freitas.

The Staff is Attentive. “If the spa is trying to juggle too many clients at once, you may not get the attention you deserve – or have paid for,” says De Freitas. Likewise, be wary if employees are standing around, apparently doing nothing. “They should be tending to clients or preparing rooms for the next visitor.”

It’s Quiet. It’s hard to relax fully when you can hear others talking and buzzing around, and the howls of a first-time waxee.

There are Plenty of Amenities. A good day spa will have relaxation rooms with big comfy chairs, magazines and a herbal-tea bar that you can visit before, after or between treatments. Some also offer hot tubs, saunas and showers.