Mandarin Oriental, England
In the heart of London the spa at the Mandarin Oriental is an oasis of calm away from the bustling capital city and the vitality plunge pool, zen colour relaxation room and amethyst crystal steam room, which uses a large crystal to stimulate mental peace, are more than enough to justify the price. Book yourself in for the Time Ritual, which begins with a foot massage and continues with a personalised treatment program to leave you feeling serene and relaxed. Signature treatments include the Shiatsu Inspired Ginger Ritual and Stillness Ritual, or for the ultimate de-stress try the Oriental Harmony which involves a footbath, warm scrub and body, foot and head massage by not one, but two therapists.
Treatments start from £55, double bedrooms from £590
020 7235 2000, http://www.mandarinoriental.com/london
Sources De Caudalie, France
Specialist wine and health spas are an innovative and rather appealing combination, where else but France could you find “Vinotherapie” treatments? Set in a picturesque country-inn style hotel just 15 minutes away from Bordeaux, stunning views of the vineyards of Chateau Smith-Hout Lafitte make this a spa to remember. Raise your glass (of carrot juice, of course) and indulge in treatments such as Red Vine Bath, Merlot Wrap or Grape Marc Bath, which combine warm natural spring water with grape extracts to leave you feeling cleansed and invigorated.
Treatments start from £80, bedrooms from £170pp
+ 00 33 5 57 83 83 83, http://www.sourcesdecaudalie.com
Four Seasons, Thailand
Awarded the World’s Best Spa by Condè Nast Traveller in 2007, the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai is pure heaven. With spacious pavilions overlooking terraced rice fields and the jungle mountains of the breathtaking Mae Rim Valley, you’ll never want to leave. The Thai collection spa treatments include Ytsara Saat, an orange-infused exfoliation, a papaya and aloe vera body wrap to remove toxins and an orient blend massage to purify the body. Banish dull, tired locks with a hair treatment at the Lanna-style beauty salon or get perfectly buffed and polished nails with a luxurious manicure.
Treatment packages start from £103, pavilions from £370
+ 00 66 53 298 181; http://www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai
Chopra Center & Spa, USA
Spiritualist, advisor to Demi Moore and Bill Clinton, and accomplished author Deepak Chopra, has run the wellness centre in California for over a decade. He’s extended this with the opening of the Chopra Center & Spa at the beautiful boutique style Dream hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Yoga sessions incorporating Chopra’s “seven spiritual laws of yoga” are run daily, along with free meditation sessions and classes in stress management and sleep improvement. Treatments are based on ancient Indian Ayurvedic therapies, from the ultimate relaxer, the Shirodhara, where warm oils are poured over the forehead, to the meditative Shanty Shiro facial, which promises to transport you to deeper levels of mental peace and expanded awareness.
Treatments start from £70, double bedrooms from £121
+ 212 246 7600; http://www.chopracenterny.com
Schlosshotel Buehlerhoehe, Germany
Set in a 20th century, baroque-style castle overlooking the panoramic views of the Rhine valley and Black Forest, the Schlosshotel Buehlerhoehe in Buhl is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spas Germany has to offer. Close to Baden-Baden and the city of Strasburg, the hotel has its own spring water and is famed for its hospitality and sumptuous cuisine. Guests can indulge in a Cleopatra bath with milk and honey, get smooth baby-soft skin with a seaweed and salt scrub or make the most of the location and work up a sweat with a Nordic walking tour through the enchanting Black Forest.
Treatments start from £35, double bedrooms from £222
+ 49 7226 55 0; http://www.buehlerhoehe.de
The Residence & Spa, UAE
Feel like an Arabian princess at the regal One&Only Royal Mirage. The most stylish resort on the private Jumeria beach, it consists of three properties – The Palace, The Arabian Court and The Residence & Spa, all nestled in 60 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Seek rest and relaxation in the tranquil Givenchy spa or try the Residence and Spa and its Moroccan Hammam and Traditional Hammam experience, consisting of warm steam sessions interspersed with the traditional black soap, loofah body scrubbing and a light massage. With 12 luxury treatment rooms and the sounds of the waves lapping at the shore nearby, it’s easy to forget the skyscrapers of the city are just across the street of this convenient retreat.
Treatments start from £25, double bedrooms from £228
+ 971 4 399 9999; http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com
The Peninsula Spa, Japan
Take time out from the urban metropolis that is Tokyo, and experience service and luxury like never before at the first fully branded ESPA spa in Japan. The Peninsula spa in the esteemed district of Marunouchi has everything you would expect from an ESPA spa – stunning city views over the Imperial Palace, fabulous attention to detail and ultra-modern Japanese inspired interiors, from the washi paper light fixtures to the shoji paper screens in the relaxation rooms for privacy. Two treatments are unique to the ESPA Tokyo, the Keihatsu Enlightenment massage involves deep kneading, specialised pressure and percussion methods to improve muscle condition while helping to promote the healthy flow of qi or energy. And the Lighten and Bright face and back treatment aims to improve skin texture and tone while addressing areas of tension, you’ll be massaged, brushed and buffed to perfection.
Treatments from £158, double bedrooms from £423
+ 81 3 6270 2888; http://www.peninsula.com
Spa Chakra, Australia
Freshen up after your long-haul flight with a Travel Prescription jet lag treatment at the Spa Chakra, situated in a former wool warehouse in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo district, along the historical Finger Wharf. Guests can bask in the view of the Sydney Harbour while being de-stressed by former ballet star, Bradley Moffit who retrained as a massage therapist. Before your massage soak in the hydrotherapy tub, where the water jets will pummel muscle ache away, then finish up with spa foot therapy. 24 hour flight, what 24 hour flight?
Treatments from £27, double bedrooms from £160
+ 61 2 9368 0888; http://www.spachakra.com
