FEW things in this world are better than a spa weekend. Think of it — mineral baths, deep massages, delicious food — and then think what a great gift it would be for your spouse or partner.

Perhaps something like the two-night Spectacular Spa Getaway at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y.: all meals, afternoon tea, an 80-minute massage, use of steam rooms and saunas, yoga or other classes, guided nature walks or hikes, ice-skating and other activities. Rates begin at $609 a person for the two nights, double occupancy.

Yet a possibly even more memorable spa weekend for your spouse or partner could be at your own second home. You may not be able to mimic the architecture or the romantic location of Mohonk, but you can create your own little spa focused on one very important client.

Here’s what you need to do:

DINING Lay in a supply of easy-to-prepare “luxury” foods, maybe a couple of lobsters, a pound of crabmeat for salads, smoked salmon, good breads, cheeses, chocolates and Champagne (but have something less expensive, like prosecco, to mix with orange juice for those essential Sunday morning mimosas). Set the table with new cloth napkins. If you don’t have flutes, buy them.

AMBIENCE If there’s a fireplace, have starter logs and plenty of wood. Put on some spa music, whatever you think your partner would like, but not too loud. And don’t forget candles; votives in glass cups save you from having to clean up wax drips. Verbena, lavender and almond are more spalike than spice scents.

AMENITIES If the towels and other linens at your second home are, well, seconds, upgrade. Pick up a couple of bath sheets (very large terry-cloth bath towels) and other rich-feeling towels and washcloths at a discounter like Marshalls. Don’t forget new sheets and pillowcases. If you’re not going to spring for silk, at least get cotton with a high thread count. A new bathrobe and slippers would be good, too.

YOGA Set aside time for yoga or some other exercise. It will make everything that comes afterward, especially the massage, better. Look for yoga instructional Yoga For Beginners, Premium Skidless Yoga Mat – Purple
and other supplies.

BATHING Give your partner a relaxing bath. Scented bath salts double the pleasure, combining aromatherapy with the stress-relief effect of salt. Rosemary Mint Zen Bath Salt is $11.95 for 16 ounces at the San Francisco Bath Salt Company.

MASSAGE If you’ve had a professional massage, you know how good it can feel. You want your partner to feel that good, too, so you need to know some techniques. There is instruction at www.wonderhowto.com (click on diet and health), and at www.videojug.com and www.metacafe.com (search for massage).

Or look for The Massage Book: 25th Anniversary Edition , originally published in 1972 and now out in a 25th-anniversary edition. You’re also likely to find a bunch of books on sensual massage. Massage can be done on a mat or a bed, but it’s best on a OneTouch Elite Series Portable Massage Table Luxury Pad Teal 4S , along with massage oils.

SKIN TREATMENTS Exfoliation is really little more than a good scrubbing, usually with an abrasive cloth or sponge or a soluble material like
The All NEW Seacret Ocean Sea Salt Scrub – 24oz
. A variety of products to cleanse, detoxify, moisturize and otherwise make one’s skin feel and/or look great are available at any drugstore. Some may not be recommended for right after a salt scrub, so be sure to read the labels.

That’s it. You arrive Friday evening, dine on chilled lobster and Champagne and sleep between new sheets. Saturday starts with a light breakfast, maybe a walk outside, then yoga, a long soak in the tub, a massage and perhaps a salt scrub.

On Sunday, when the spa weekend ends, accept your partner’s thanks gracefully — and point out that next time it’s your turn to get the spa treatment.

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