Every beauty queen worth her Botox knows the words Asia and spa retreat go together like Karl and Choupette; a bottle of Beaujolais and charcuterie; a Birkin and Manolos…
But with so many stunning sanctuaries to choose from it can be stress-inducing to find the clearest path to a stress-free you. And frankly, that counter-productivity will never do – so here’s a shortlist of five, fabulous, city-centric spots to unwind.
Remède Spa at St Regis, Singapore
The lovely Lion City is about to celebrate its 51st birthday… We’ll raise a toast with a quick jaunt to Remède, who have taken the trad Turkish hammam and given it an extra edge of Scandi-cool with ice fountain and luxurious cedar wood Finnish saunas. More facing down than bracing for impact? How about a warm Vichy shower massage on heated marble beds combines gentle jets of water with soothing strokes? We thought so. Later, put your best foot forward at celeb podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez’s cult favourite Mani:Pedi:Cure Studio.
Remède Spa, St Regis, 29 Tanglin Rd, Singapore, +65 6506 6896, remedespasingapore.com
Dheva Spa at Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai
If there’s one thing the Thais have mastered, it’s the massage. (No darling, it’s not som tam… okay, that too.) Align your spine, recharge your chakras and perfect your downward dog with wellness programmes including yoga, meditation and massages using trad northern Thai herbs, tools and compresses. You’ll do your morning asanas and soul-searching in an intricate temple complex, and then tumble into the wonderful Watsu pool for a stretch and de-stress. Bliss.
Dheva Spa, Dhara Devi, 1 Mueang, Chiang Mai, +66 53 888 888, dharadhevi.com
The Spa at Four Seasons, Hong Kong
Can you say choice? The extensive treatment menu at FS has facials, body scrubs, and mani/pedis to suit every occasion. CACI and M6 contouring therapies tone mug and bod; Ayurvedic rubs take a more holistic approach to total aura-renewal. And while you’re here, you simply must take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor whirlpool Jacuzzi, and take an extended dip in the divine infinity pool. Turn that day spa into sundowners and va-va-vistas…
Spa at Four Seasons, 8 Finance St, Central, Hong Kong, +852 3196 8888, fourseasons.com
SK-II Boutique Spa, Seoul
When in Korea, one should enter the mystifying world of Korean sauna (read our debrief here )… But if a rather more civilised experience is what you seek, try the Japanese skincare scion SK-II’s Seoul flagship. Skin as dewy and porcelain as Cate’s can be yours while you relax in extra wide, extra comfy spa beds with Tempur pillows. The Discovery Facial is a good intro for newbies; or if you’re seriously seeking the Seoulite glow, opt for a SK-II Aura Lucency Facial and get like a Gangnam native. Ace face!
SK-II Boutique Spa, 8 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, +82 2 3447 0275
Spa on the Rocks and Thermes Marins at Ayana Resort, Bali
Nothing says grand gesture like a weekend getaway, but the Diamond Miracle treatment at Ayana’s Spa on the Rocks takes romance to new heights. Ascend the pinnacle of luxury literally as you walk up the rock steps to the two spa villas, surrounded by svelte seascapes. Prefer minerals to jewels? Thalassotherapy is the name of the game at Ayana’s Thermes Marins Spa, a seawater therapy pool with water drawn directly from the Indian Ocean, minus sand and sunburn!
Spa on the Rocks & Thermes Marins, Ayana Resort & Spa, Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali, +62 361 702 222, ayanaresort.com
