what’s hot in the world of spa and wellness

KOH GET IT

The Spa at Four Seasons Koh Samui
(tel +66 (0)77 243000, www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui) is hard to beat. Possibly the best spa on the island, you’ll be spoilt for choice here with its plethora of offerings.

Only have time for one treatment? Try the Siam Fusion – a Thai massage with basic yoga stretches topped off with an invigorating herbal compress.

But if you can spare a day, the four-and-a-half-hour Gaja’s Earth (9,500 baht) is an indulgent five-step affair, where the body is scrubbed down smooth with a turmeric, rice and coconut scrub, then wrapped in a detoxifying white clay mask and banana leaves. Following this, the therapist administers a scalp rub before finishing off with a cleansing herbal bath and Thai Sen massage.

Even if you are not staying there, visit the coconut grove-hidden spa for a taste of Four Seasons luxury.

WHAT IS… SHIRODHARA?

Th is ancient Ayurvedic treatment is a traditional Indian healing method known to dispel tension. A stream of warm oil is poured in a continuous flow onto the centre of the forehead (above), an area known as the third eye. The result is a tingling-all-over feeling.

Try this and other rejuvenating Ayurvedic therapies at the Six Senses Spa (www.sixsenses.com) at Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi resorts, Maldives.

GO NUTS

Singapore brand, adara, is putting the ancient Indian all-in-one beauty product, coconut oil, back into the modern woman’s vanity bag. The organic virgin oil can be used as a moisturiser, anti-frizz hair serum, make-up remover and massage oil. It comes in one of six subtle scents (lavender, rose, jasmine, peach, green tea or coconut). Before you go to bed, massage some into the soles of the feet and wear socks. Dry, cracked heels will be no more by morning. Starts at US$28 from www.b-glowing.com

GOOD STRETCH

Trend-setting Phuket resort, Indigo Pearl (tel +66 (0)76 327006, www.indigo-pearl.com) is now offering Hip Yoga Holidays – a weekend or week-long retreat led by world-renowned instructors in the surrounds of the ultra-cool resort at Nai Yang Beach.

You don’t need to be a die-hard yogi to feel the benefit. Recent guests Christopher and Wendy described their stay as “perfect”, calling it just the right balance of relaxing tropical vacation and healthy routine.

BRING YOUR OWN

The menu changes every so oft en and customers can incorporate any ingredient into their treatment at Phuket’s Lemongrass Spa (Surin Beach, tel +66 (0)8 1936-1373, www.lemongrasshouse.com).

Proprietor Bobby Duchowny encourages customers to bring their own ingredients. Recently, someone brought in volcanic ash, which was mixed in with a body mask of mango, avocado butter, jasmine tea and clay, and then rubbed onto the chuffed customer.

If you don’t have your own contribution, just walk in and custom-blend your own massage oil. One of Bobby’s favourites is a mixture of lotus, pomelo, jojoba, macadamia nut and evening primrose. As a bonus, the cost includes a bottle of your massage oil of choice for you to keep.

CAVIAR DREAMS

Singapore’s RafflesAmrita Spa (Raffles the Plaza, 80 Bras Basah Road, tel +65 6431-5600, www.amritaspa.com) has upped the ante on extravagant treatments with the Kerstin Florian Caviar Cell Vitale Facial. After a soothing back rub, a range of caviar-infused cremes, serums and firming fluids are applied to the face.

Don’t worry about the smell – the slightest whiff of fish eggs is conspicuously absent. To finish off, two freezer-chilled beauty globes are circled on the cheeks, forehead and chin (above) while a hot towel under your neck warms sore muscles. Skin is left plumped and glowing. The treatment is priced at S$294 (US$200).

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