UK spa bookings agency, spaseekers.com has introduced a ‘plus size’ spa category to its website to help visitors identify the nation’s size-friendly wellness facilities.

The agency – which represents over 500 spas across the UK – has received an increasing number of customers requesting larger-sized bath robes, bigger towels and wider treatment couches. Some of these spas offer spacious individual changing rooms, larger shower cubicles and wider dining chairs without arm rests.

Over 80 spas have initially signed up to feature in the new category, including luxury-branded Macdonald Hotels and Q Hotels. spaseekers.com expects the number of spas that will register under this category to rise to over 100 over the next two weeks.

“The average woman in the UK is a size 16, but the average robe is a size 10-12,” Jason Goldberg, director and founder of spaseekers.com told Spa Opportunities. “For our customers sake, we must meet the request of the average-sized lady and above. We cannot be discriminatory towards women who wear a size 16 and above.”

The ‘plus size’ category is designed to help consumers find spas which welcome and accommodate all shapes and sizes.

“We want to make the whole booking experience as simple and stress-free as possible. This way all our visitors can find the spa experience that’s right for them,” Goldberg added.

While retailers must meet demand, it could be argued that wellness facilities should promote healthier lifestyles for their 'plus size' customers rather than capitalising on afternoon tea and spa packages.

“In regards to healthy minds and bodies, we promote wellness throughout our spas,” Goldberg continued. “Nowadays, spa breaks don’t tend to focus so much on weight loss, but focus more on women getting away for a break and enjoying themselves via relaxation and not panicking about diets constantly.

“We have enabled women to feel they can spa without feeling like an outcast for being large,” Goldberg concluded.