Named after the eponymous Belgian town, spa means a mineral hot water bath at a natural spring, usually having health benefits. For centuries, spas and hot-springs have hosted pilgrimages and tourists around the world. As the medicinal properties of mineral baths were brought forward, spa towns became even more popular.

While naturally occurring spas are few and far between, artificial spas satiated the tourist demand for more spas. Today, beach resorts, mountain resorts or even ordinary holiday destinations have their spa and sauna attractions, which, along with the swimming pool, attract a lot of people – the young the old alike.

The spa resort, unless it is situated near natural spas, is rarely centered around a single (artificial) spa; rather, a spa, sauna or other water resources along with other health, fitness and wellness, massaging and ayurveda, etc, form a comprehensive rejuvenation and fun package. Spa resorts have come upon on island and mainland beach resorts, on mountain towns, on the outskirts of older cities of Europe and everywhere else, testifying to the undying popularity of spas.