Simple Guide to Finding the Best Music for Spas
Create the perfect ambiance for your Spa.
You have carefully designed every part of your spa. From the soft lighting to the calming decor, it all works together to create a peaceful escape for your clients. The right music is a vital part of this experience.
But you cannot just press play on a personal Spotify or Apple Music account. Using a personal music service in your business is illegal. It can lead to thousands of dollars in fines.
This guide will help you understand what to look for in licensed music for spas. We’ll cover why it’s a legal must-have, what features really matter, and how to set it up without any technical stress.
Why You Must Use Licensed Music for Spas
This is the most important first step. If you play music in your spa, it is a “public performance.” Personal accounts (like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music) do not include the rights for this.
- What is a “Public Performance?” Legally, playing music for clients in your spa is no different than a concert or a radio broadcast.
- Who Enforces This? Groups called Performance Rights Organizations (or PROs) protect songwriters. In the U.S., these are mainly ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
- The Risk: These groups actively check businesses for violations. Fines can range from $750 to $150,000 per song.
A licensed business music service pays all of these fees for you. For a small monthly fee, you get total peace of mind and protect your business. The fact is, there is no Spotify for Business, Amazon Music for Business or even Apple Music for Business.
What to Look For in Your Spa Music Service
Let’s be honest: the perfect music for spas is music that blends in. It should be calming and pleasant, creating an atmosphere without drawing attention to itself. It sets a mood, lowers stress, and never distracts.
Because the music is meant to be a soothing background, you may not need the most complex or expensive platform. For most spa owners, the two most important factors are:
- A Deep Music Catalog: You will be playing music for 8-10 hours a day. Your clients (and your therapists!) will quickly notice if they hear the same three “peaceful piano” songs over and over. You need a service with thousands of hours of music to ensure fresh, non-repetitive sound.
- An Affordable Price Point: Since you don’t need complex, “front-and-center” features, you shouldn’t overpay. Look for a service that delivers a large, licensed library and the key features below for a simple, low monthly cost.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
Key Features Your Spa Music Needs
When comparing services, make sure they include these basics:
- Curated Spa Playlists: The service should have dozens of pre-made stations for “spa,” “ambient,” “relaxation,” “meditation,” or “chill.” This saves you hours of work.
- Easy Scheduling: This is a “set it and forget it” must-have. You can program your music to change throughout the day. For example, a soft instrumental morning, a slightly more upbeat chill-lounge for the afternoon, and pure ambient sound in the evening.
- 100% Ad-Free: This is non-negotiable. An ad for a car dealership can ruin a client’s relaxing experience.
- Explicit Lyric Filter: A single “on/off” switch to block all explicit language is essential for a professional environment.
Import-Friendly (A Nice Bonus): Some music for business providers even let you import your existing (and legal-to-use) playlists from services like Spotify or Apple Music to get you started quickly. You can quickly find providers who offer that feature with our free music for business comparison tool.
Music for Spas: How to Set Up Your System
This is easier than you think. You have two main options for playing music in your spa.
Option 1: Use Your Own Device (App-Based)
This is the most common and flexible method.
- How it Works: Most music for business providers provide a playback app. You just download it onto a dedicated device.
- What You Need:
- A reliable internet connection.
- Any tablet (iPad, Android), smartphone, or computer.
- Setup: You connect your device to your spa’s sound system. This could be a simple cable to an amplifier or a wireless connection to speakers like Sonos.
- Pros: Low startup cost (you use hardware you already own).
- Cons: You must dedicate a device to it. Staff might be tempted to use the device for other things.
Option 2: A Dedicated Media Player
This is a “plug-and-play” solution that is more tamper-proof.
- How it Works: Providers will often mail you a small hardware box (a “music player”) that will play your music.
- What You Need:
- A reliable internet connection.
- Your amplifier or sound system.
- Setup: You plug the box into your internet (with an Ethernet cable) and into your sound system (with an audio cable). It runs itself.
- Pros: Very reliable. Staff cannot change it or use the device for other purposes.
Cons: May have a higher startup cost or the hardware could have an upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Music for Spas
Q: Can I just use my personal Spotify or Apple Music account in my spa?
A: No. This is the most common mistake. Those services are licensed for “personal, non-commercial use” only. Playing them for your clients is a violation of copyright law and can result in large fines. There is no Spotify for Business, Amazon Music for Business or even Apple Music for Business.
Q: What are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC?
A: These are Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). They collect licensing fees for songwriters and composers. A legal business music service pays all of these fees for you, so you are fully covered. More information on licensing music can be found here.
Q: What is the most important feature for spa music?
A: A deep catalog. You need thousands of songs to avoid repetition. A simple scheduling tool and an explicit-lyric filter are the next most important features.
Q: What hardware do I need to buy to play music?
A: In most cases, you need zero new hardware. You can use any existing iPad, computer, or even a smartphone. You just connect that device to your spa’s amplifier or speakers.
Q: Can I import my favorite spa playlists from Spotify or Apple Music?
A: Some services offer a feature that lets you import your public playlists from Spotify or Apple Music. The service then finds matching, fully licensed tracks in its own catalog to legally recreate your vibe. Our free music for business comparison tool allows you to quickly find providers who offer this feature.
Q: Why do some music services cost so much more?
A: More expensive plans have popular music with more expensive rights (think Taylor Swift, AC/DC and other popular music). If you just need background ambient music, look for a simpler, more affordable plan.