₹54,000 Spent Across 8 Spas in India: What No One Tells First-Time Visitors

How Spas Are Commonly Perceived in India Before the First Visit

In India, spas are often viewed through a lens that has little to do with wellness or therapy. For many people, the first idea that comes to mind is linked to so-called “extra services” rather than massage, recovery, or relaxation.

This perception is largely shaped by what people see in movies, hear in casual conversations, or come across on social media, where spa-related content is often presented in a suggestive or misleading way.

Because of this narrative, a large number of first-time visitors walk into a spa with expectations that are not clearly defined or openly discussed. One of our subscribers shared that, before his first visit, his understanding of spas was based almost entirely on these external influences, not on verified information or transparent service descriptions.

Like many others, his initial curiosity was driven more by assumptions than by an understanding of what professional spa services actually include.

What I Learned After Visiting 8 Spas and Spending ₹54,000

After visiting eight different spa centres and spending more than ₹54,000, one thing became very clear to me: not every spa offers or even intends to offer any kind of “extra service.” In fact, most professional spas are not connected to sexual activity at all.

A spa, in its real sense, exists for wellness. It is meant to help with muscle pain, stiffness, stress, posture issues, and physical fatigue.

Massage therapy is closely related to fields like physiotherapy and chiropractic care. It focuses on how the human body moves, recovers, and relaxes. That is the foundation we need to respect first.

A Spa Is About Health and Wellness, Not Sexual Activity

One of the biggest misconceptions I had before my experiences was assuming that spas exist for sexual purposes. That assumption was completely wrong.

Massage therapy is a trained profession. Many therapists spend six to eight months learning anatomy, muscle groups, pressure points, and body mechanics before getting certified.

Massage is not suitable for everyone, and in some cases, it can even be harmful if done incorrectly or when not medically advised. That alone shows how serious and technical this profession actually is. Treating spas as places for sexual activity not only harms consumers, but also deeply disrespects trained professionals.

Why Massage Therapists Deserve Respect, Not Suspicion

During one visit, I spoke directly to a massage therapist about how customers behave. What she shared was disturbing. She explained that most people do not see her as a professional. Instead, they assume she is a sex worker.

According to her, nearly 98 percent of male clients ask for extra services, and many repeat the question multiple times even after being told no. Some even offer ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 for sexual favors. Despite this pressure, many therapists refuse because they have personal ethics and professional boundaries.

The “Friendly Therapist” Misunderstanding That Leads to Bigger Problems

Another point that needs to be said clearly: being treated nicely does not mean personal interest.

Therapists are trained to:

• speak softly

• keep you comfortable

• behave politely

• maintain a calming environment

They speak politely, softly, and respectfully not because they are interested in the client, but because that is how they are trained to make customers comfortable.

Some people misunderstand this and start believing the therapist “likes them” or is emotionally involved. That misunderstanding often leads to risky decisions like trying to meet outside, inviting them to a hotel, or continuing conversations beyond the spa context.

In the risky setups, this can escalate into intimidation or extortion, especially if there are other people involved behind the scenes.

The safe rule is simple: keep the interaction professional. Treat it like you would treat a physiotherapy session.

How Misleading Advertising Creates False Expectations

Many low-quality spa centres use vague or double-meaning words in their advertisements. Terms like “Thai massage” or “full body massage” are often presented in a suggestive way, even though these are legitimate massage techniques.

This kind of advertising creates expectations that are never clearly promised. When customers arrive, they feel confused, disappointed, or embarrassed. At the same time, the spa avoids direct responsibility by claiming they never explicitly offered anything beyond massage.

This is where many people lose money. You cannot openly ask for “extra services,” and the spa can deny everything later, even though the messaging was intentionally misleading.

Why Cheap Spas Are the Highest Risk

After multiple visits, certain patterns became obvious. Cheap spas that promise more than relaxation often operate without proper business registration. Some take payments under unrelated business names like advertising, catering, or modelling services.

In many cases, the therapist will bring up “extra services” within the first 10 to 15 minutes. If you say no, pressure may still continue. If you agree and pay, the service rarely matches what was implied. When you question it, the situation can quickly turn into intimidation or blackmail.

This is not just financial loss. It becomes a personal safety issue.

The “Closed Spa” That’s Not Really Closed (Invite-Only Reality)

One pattern shocked me the most: some spas look normal online. They have a Google Maps profile, photos, reviews, and sometimes even a website. They also appear to be located in busy, high-traffic areas like IT hubs, mall zones, or main roads.

But when you physically go there, the place looks closed.

That “closed” look is misleading. In a few cases, what seems to be happening is an invite-only setup. If you call them, the doors open quickly. Once you enter, the door may be shut behind you, and the environment can feel controlling. Sometimes you may see two to three men at reception, and the tone changes from normal service to pressure.

If you walk into a place like that and immediately feel unsafe, it is better to stay calm, avoid arguments, and exit as soon as possible.

Locations You Would Never Expect a High-Risk Spa To Operate From

Another reality many people won’t believe until they see it is where some of these setups exist.

We found cases where spas were operating inside residential buildings or mixed-use buildings where:

• lower floors look like regular offices or coworking spaces

• there are working professionals coming and going

• everything feels normal on the outside

• and then one or two floors above, the environment is completely different

It’s hard to explain how strange that feels. You can have people working on laptops in a coworking space below, and at the same address, another floor is being used for misleading or unsafe spa activity.

This is one reason these scams are hard to detect for the public. People assume a “decent building” automatically means a “decent business.” That assumption is not always true.

How Blackmail Scams Typically Work in Such Spas

Once money changes hands, the risk increases. Some people are contacted again after leaving the spa and pressured to pay more. Others are threatened with exposure or false accusations. This cycle can continue until the person either gives in or approaches the police.

In some cases, repeated visits to the same spa create a false sense of familiarity. Clients may believe they have built trust. Later, they are invited to private locations, where they may be threatened by accomplices or extorted further. These are classic, repeatable scam patterns.

Simple Signs to Identify High-Risk (Extra Service) Spa Centres

Based on my experience, here are some practical red flags:

• Spa rooms with lower beds or double beds similar to home bedrooms

• Poor or suspicious business registration details

• Vague pricing with no written service list

• Immediate discussion of “extra services” without clarity

• Residential buildings or hidden floors above commercial spaces

If you see these signs, it is best to leave early and safely.

Why Branded and Hotel Spas Are the Safest Option

If you want a genuine spa experience for health or relaxation, the safest choice is a well-known brand or a spa inside a five-star hotel. These places follow strict professional standards, proper documentation, and clear service boundaries.

You should behave the same way you would with a doctor or physiotherapist. Be respectful, clear, and professional. This ensures a safe and effective experience for both you and the therapist.

What to Do If You Are Offered “Extra Services”

If a therapist or staff member offers something you are uncomfortable with, the safest approach is:

• say “No, only massage” once, clearly

• if it continues, stop the session

• leave without debate

• avoid bargaining or long discussions

You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You’re protecting yourself.

The Big Question I’m Left With (And Why I’m Not Claiming an Answer)

After seeing how openly some of these patterns exist, one question stays in my mind:

If a normal person with a limited budget and a short time can notice these patterns, why do these setups continue operating for so long?

I’m not claiming corruption. I’m not claiming police involvement. I genuinely do not know what is happening behind the scenes.

Possible reasons could be:

• cases are underreported because people feel ashamed

• these businesses change names and locations quickly

• enforcement may focus on bigger cases first

• some locations may operate quietly until complaints build up

But as a consumer, the result is the same: it’s easy to fall into a trap, and hard to undo it once you’re inside.

Why This Awareness Matters for Public Safety

This experience was shared to help others avoid falling into similar traps. These scams are growing because they are difficult to trace and rarely reported. The bigger question is why such operations continue openly in major cities and business districts.

Until there is stronger enforcement, the safest option is awareness. Protect yourself, understand the reality, and make informed decisions.