Relax and rejuvenate at the world’s top spas. These are places to be pampered, spoilt and refreshed.
BANYAN TREE – Mahé, Seychelles
T: +248 383500; www.banyantree.com
At the Banyan Tree the products are own-brand and use exotic natural products such as plant extracts, herbs, milk and honey, almonds and papaya.
The spa itself if set in the granite rock of the island in a tropical forest, open to the sea and nature.Recommended The Asian Blend massage, a reworking of the traditional Thai massage, which flexes and stretches every part of the body or the Tropical Rainmist: two hours of showers, envelopments, steams and massage.
THE SPA VILLAGE – Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
T: + 800 9899 9999; www.pangkorlautresort.com
The village is set on the water with interior design in natural shades of bamboo, cane and silk. The spa specialises in rejuvenation treatments based on the best of Malay, Chinese and Indian therapies.
SHAMBHALA SPA – Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
T: +1 649 946 7788; www.comoshambhala.bz
The spa uses its own-range products. A peaceful place to rejuvenate with massages, including The Shambhala massage which uses a special blend of oils and a mixture of different strokes and pressures. Yoga classes.
OCEAN SPA – Cambridge Beaches, Bermuda
44 1 234 0331; www.cambridgebeaches.com
The spa is in a colonial-style setting with wicker furniture and calico blinds. The treatments include the best of European and American prorammes and there is an indoor pool and gym. The signature treatment is a hot roll massage with hot towels rolled over the muscles prior an aromatherapy massage. Alos available are alternative therapies such as reiki.
LAS VENTANAS AL PARAISO Los Cabos, Mexico
T: +52 624 144 0300; www.lasventanas.com
Mexican and minimalist, set in Zen-style cactus gardens. Relaxing and rejuvenating treatments using locally grown herbs, cactus juices, sea enzymes and mud. Signature treatment is the Desert Purification based on Aztec and Mayan rituals using Mexican clay or Raindrop Therapy, using seven different oils.
THE PLATEAU at the Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong
T: +852 2584 7688; www.plateau.com.hk
On the 11th floor of the hotel with an outside pool and running track. It offers the latest rejuvenation therapies. Signature treatment is the Lifting Facial for mature, dehydrated and jet-lagged skin. Also available is a scalp massage and Swedish and shiatsu massages.
SIX SENSES
Madinat, Jumeirah, Dubai
T: +449174 366 8888; www.sixsensesspas.com
One of the most lavish spas in the world servicing three hotels with gardens and canals. Guests arrive by water on a gondola. Treatments include all kinds wraps, massage, facial and scrub plus a vast array of holistic therapies, crystal treatments, tuina and shiatsu. There is a vast array of staff. Signature treatments include The watsu, an underwater shiatsu massage.
SANTE WELLNESS CENTRE – The Winelands Hotel, South Africa
T:+27 21 875 8100; www.santewellness.co.za
A new spa in the heart of South Africa’s wine-growing region. It offers vinotherapy, developed in Bordeaux, where crushed grapes, the oil from the pips and the leftovers from the skin are used to scrub, wrap and massage. There is also plenty of good wine on menu.
The signature Chakra Balancing Rainbow Bath which involves submerged in warm water, with different coloured lights and sounds to change the moods. A variety of massages are also available.
JIWA SPA – Conrad Hotel, Bali
T: +62 361 778788; www.conradhotels.com
An Indonesian style spa with 12 treatment rooms, infinity pool and a reflexology lounge. As well as the usual therapies, a number of Indonesian massages and treatments are available including reflexology and the Flower Petal bath.
THE SPA AT THE OBEROI – Mauritius
T: +230 204 3600; www.oberoihotels.com
Simple luxury with a decor of cotton and muslin, interspersed with red and gold. It offers a wide range of treatments including Ayurvedic therapies. Signature treatment, The Ylang Ylang Purity.
HOTEL FONTEVERDE & SPA – San Casciano dei Bagni, Tuscany
T: + 39 0578 57241; www.fonteverdespa.com
Set in a former Medici palazzo, the hi-tech spa has indoor and outdoor thermal pools spa is very hi-tech, with thermal pools inside and out. Inside there are frescoed walls and ceilings, elegant porticos, glass-walled pools with amazing views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The spa offers many types of scrubs, facials, wraps and massages.
DELPHI MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA – Connemara, Ireland
T: +353 954 2987; www.delphiescape.com
Set among the mountains and lakes of Connemara as well as spa treatments it also offers outdoor activities such as sea-kayaking to riding. The signature treatment is The Multi-vitamin Power Treatment , an exfoliation, mask and moisture treatment for environmentally damaged skin.
THE CHI SPA Shangri-La Hotel – Bangkok
T: +66 2 236 7777; www.shangri-la.com
A spa with Tibetan decor such as cymbals and buddhas. Although it is set in one of Asia’s busiest cities it offers calm and peace. The signature treatment is the Chi skin polish.
SHAMBHALA SPA Cocoa Island – Maldives
T: + 960 441818; www.comoshambhala.com
A real desert island where you fall asleep listening to the sound of the nearby waves. Signature treatment is the Indian head mssage, which uses rose fragranced oil.
CHIVA SOM HEALTH RESORT – Hua Hin, Thailand
T: +66 325 36536; www.chivasom.com
Chiva Som has one of the largest range of spa treatments of any. Signature treatment is the Papaya Body Wrap which starts with a traditional Thai salt-and-herb scrub before a mask of aloe, pineapple and papaya is applied.
LE MAS DE CANDILLE – Mougins, France
T: +33 492 284343; www.lemascandille.com
Surrounded by Japanese, Zen inspired decor and natural stones and fabric. The spa specialises in Qi therapies, which are a mixture of acupressure, Japanese hot towels and aromatherapy. The signature treatment is the Quick Tension Release, where shiatsu style massge is used to relax muscles and relieve aches and pains.
Cost From £14 for a manicure to £142 for a four-handed massage.
ELYSIUM – Paphos, Cyprus
T: +357 26 844444; www.elysium.com.cy
Set in Southern Mediterranean style decor, with colonnades, high ceilings, cool stone and marble, the spa offers a selection of pampering treatments designed to destress, relax and revitalise – massages, rituals, wraps and facials. The signature treatment is the Hydrotherm Massage, in which the body is supported by two large cushions filled with warm water.
LES THERMES MARIN – Monte Carlo
T: +377 9806 6900 www.montecarlospa.com
An elegant spa offering a nnumber of water-based treatments. The spa uses purified Mediterranean water pumped in hourly for the benefits of sea water and minerals, particularly in the baths, effusions and wraps. Signature treatment is the Douche Sous Marine , an underwater manual massage with you and the therapist in a sea-water pool.
SHAMBHALA RETREAT – Uma Paro, Bhutan
T: +975 827 1597 www.uma.como.bz
High in the mountains at 11,000 feet with views of the Himalayas. As well as spa treatments there is the opportunity to try yoga, treks and other exercise. The signature treatment is the Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath – a huge square pine bath heated by local stones that deposit their minerals in the water to help you relax.
BRITAIN’S FIVE BEST SPAS
SERENITY SPA – Seaham Hall, Co Durham, United Kingdom
T: + 44(0)191 516 1400; www.seaham-hall.com
An English country house that once used to be Lord Byron’s home with decor from Asia. Treatments in the spa are based on Eastern rituals including massages, reiki, hopi ear-candle treatment, hammams, plunge pools and outdoor hot tubs. The signature treatment is the Dayoin Tao Massage Synergy, a mix of slightly adapted traditional Chinese acupressure and European massage.
THE AQUARIUS SPA – Whatley Manor, nr Malmesbury, Wiltshire
T: +44(0)1666 822888; www.whatleymanor.com
The spa has hydrotherapy pools, thermal suites and chamomile steam grotto.
Outside the hydrotherapy pool, complete with magical gardens and Wave Dream Sensory Room.
THE SPA AT CHANCERY COURT – 252 Holborn, London, WC1
T:+44(0)20 7829 7058; www.spachancerycourt.co.uk
Although it is set in one of the busiest parts of the cpaital the Amethyst Crystal Room offers “An environment that will transport you mind, body and soul.” Signature treatment is The Totally Blissful Back Face and Scalp Massage
ONE SPA
Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
T; +44(0)131 229 9131; www.one-spa.net
A thoroughly-modern spa which offers some of the best treatments available. Signature treatment is the Balinese Body Massage.
CALCOT SPA – Calcot Manor, nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire
T: +44(0)1666 891232; www.calcotmanor.co.uk
In a Cotswold-stone house with outside hot tub complete with nearby log fireplace; interiors are simple in neutral colours. The signature treatment is a dry flotation followed by a massage.