Chami Jotisalikorn, author of Thailand’s luxury spas and thai spa book reveals what’s hot in the world of wellness during your next travel holidays.
Spa Review: Penthouse Pampering
You’ll be surprised at the transition from Thai teak house to South Indian bungalow when you step through into the new Ayurvedic Penthouse at Bangkok’s Oriental Spa (tel +66 (0)2 659-9000 ext 7434, www.mandarinoriental.com). This self-contained annex recreates an authentic ambience from the sub-continent, complete with wooden treatment beds and furniture from India and rejuvenating therapies straight from the distinctive traditions of Keraleeya Ayurveda from Kerala.
With the help of a detailed questionnaire, Ayurvedic expert Christina Watson helps to select therapies suitable for your type to balance and detox your body. The relaxing Keraleeya Abhyanga is a 60-minute treatment consisting of oil massage, followed by herbal steam in a fabulous wooden steam cabinet. Other therapies include the Shirodara heated oil therapy on the forehead and Vadanam traditional facial.
Christina stresses that Ayurveda is a way of life, not just a quick fix, and the spa offers individually tailored long-term programmes for Bangkok residents, with an Ayurvedic doctor soon to be on the premises to help guide the way.
Wellness Buzz: All Aye’s on Ayurveda
Now, there’s no need to go to all the way to India in search of Ayurvedic healing, with Thailand and the Maldives emerging as the latest hotspots offering the ancient holistic “Science of Life.”
A slew of new spa resorts are leading the trend now. At the Angsana Spa Maldives Ihuru (tel +960 (0)6 643502, www.angsanaspa.com), the menu includes Ancient Treat, a spa package under the Essence of Angsana range, featuring a traditional Ayurvedic massage that helps ease tensions and promote circulation.
A few atolls away, the recently opened Anantara Resort and Spa Maldives (www.anatara.com) offers luxurious Ayurvedic massages, bath and steam treats as well as great service to go with its deluxe suites by the beach. The spa at the Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giravaaru (www.fourseasons.com) is a resort within itself, with pool suites and garden spa suites offering a comprehensive approach to physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and a focus on yoga and Ayurveda.
The spa resort features a dedicated Ayurvedic Retreat within the spa complex, with a herb garden and resident expert for individually tailored consultations. Truly get away from it all at the Fania Spa onboard the Rania (www.raniaexperience.com), a one of a kind exclusive private luxury cruise yacht named after Queen Rania of Jordan. Enjoy Thai and Ayurvedic massages, body scrubs, wraps, herbal facials and more – available both at sea and on shore.
Readers Recommend
IN a place where spa standards can vary Phnom Penh’s O’Spa (www.ospacombodia.com) has quickly developed a loyal following among local expats and embassies in the Cambodian capital. Located in the peaceful residential area of Daun Penh, near Wat Phnom in the historical heart of the city, the tastefully decorated spa offers a sophisticated range of treatments from Thalassotherapy and Dead Sea mud wraps to hot stone and Balinese massage, administered by professionally trained therapists.
Ayurvedic and Ayurveda Events
In need of a physical and mental spring clean? Head to Kamalaya Retreat Koh Samui (www.kamalaya.com) and book yourself a spot on one of the retreat’s impressive line-up of special programmes aimed to help put your health back on track
- 11-17 March : Yoga Fusion with Carole Warren and Lorraine Taylor – four different types of yoga within one programme to help you discover which one suits your personality and body type, and one-to-one support to create a practise you can take home.
- 7 – 13 April: Holistic Detox with Graeme Stuart – Bradshaw – An intensive body mind cleansing programme to improve your physical health and well-being, as well as revitalise your spirit. Graeme is a naturophatic physician and founder of the Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI) in Hong Kong, and brings together the most current medical research and detoxification methods.
- 28 April to 4 May: The Vital Essence of Being with Rajay Mahtani – a programme of yoga, holistic wellness treatments and nutritious spa cuisine to offer you an opportunity to relax, restore and rejuvenate your vital life energy. Two daily intensive yoga classes are taught by certified senior level BKS Iyengar method instructor, Rajay Mahtani.
Original post by hattrick and software by Elliott Back