The single supplement: Why it exists, which spas waive it and how to get the best value as a solo visitor

Spas can be wonderful places to spend time with friends and loved ones, but at their heart they’re about self care, and nothing says 'me time' quite like a solo spa break. Whether you are looking to escape the white noise of a hectic schedule or enjoy the opportunity to learn, experience, and dedicate time to your wellbeing on a health retreat, heading to a spa alone gives you the time and space to relax on your own terms.

However, anyone who has booked an overnight hotel break on their own has likely run into the single supplement - a pricing quirk that remains a significant point of friction for solo travelers in lots of instances. So, given that spa breaks lend themselves to time on your own, is there a way around the single supplement?

What is the single supplement and why does it exist?

In the travel and hospitality industry, overnight hotel and spa packages are historically priced based on dual occupancy, assuming two adults will share a room and split the fixed costs. When you book a spa break alone, you are often booking a room that could otherwise accommodate two paying guests. The destination still faces the same fixed costs to maintain, heat, and clean that room, regardless of whether there is one guest or two. Furthermore, hotels rely on secondary revenue from on-site bars, restaurants, and multiple spa treatments, so because a solo guest generally spends less overall than a couple or a pair of friends, it’s become commonplace for hotels to add a so-called ‘single supplement’ or a single occupancy surcharge to protect their margins.

The changing picture for solo spa travellers

The good news for solo visitors is that the wellness industry is evolving, recognising that modern self-care is deeply personal, many spa destinations are actively dismantling these barriers. Rather than penalising those seeking quiet solitude, spas are adapting to accommodate single travelers - it’s something Spabreaks.com has championed for many years.

In particular, health-focused retreats that really lend themselves to time alone are excellent at designing retreats that support solo spa experiences, and Spabreaks.com has worked with spa destinations to ensure packages are available that eschew the single supplement and are dedicated to creating experiences that optimise the solo spa experience.

How to spot a single supplement in pricing

As most initial headline prices on spa booking sites display a standard rate calculated on the assumption that two people will be sharing a room, so the single supplement isn't always obvious at first glance. Instead, it’s often left to discover as you go through the booking process. That’s why dedicated experiences that are specifically designed for solo travellers help to make things easier when choosing where to go - there’s no guesswork involved. Of course, if you book a spa day then there’s never a single supplement because you aren't using overnight accommodation.

Tips for finding the best value rate

It’s not just single supplements that impact the price of a getaway - there are lots of things you can do to make your next spa break more cost-efficient. For example:

1. Choose mid-week and low-season dates

Spas are busiest at the weekend, but unsurprisingly different areas have different peak periods. If a hotel has empty rooms on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, they are often more likely to offer discounts. In addition, you might decide that a coastal location in mid winter, watching dramatic oceans from the comfort of your lounger, is ideal, when others prefer to visit in the height of summer.

2. Look for value-add inclusions instead of discounts

Sometimes getting the best value isn’t about looking for discounts, but value add inclusions, such as complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, or a longer treatment time.

3. Keep an eye out for exclusive deals

At Spabreaks.com we’re often lucky enough to have exclusive discounts or package offers that you can’t find anywhere else. Booking an inclusive package that features everything you will want, such as breakfast, dinner, and treatments together will also generally yield better value than booking all the different elements separately.

4. Earn loyalty credit

When booking your spa break, look for rewards opportunities. For example, at Spabreaks.com SB Rewards loyalty scheme 7%* credit towards your next booking every time you purchase.