6 Sublime Spas for Serious Pampering in Asia

by Mary EdenCambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Spa & Wellness, Thailand, Vietnam

Who doesn’t love a good massage and some TLC?

Asia is awash with luxury spas that promise ancient and contemporary healing techniques in exotic locations. It seems that every hotel now boasts a haven of relaxation where you can knead away the stresses of daily life.

Here are our favourite spas to relax and blow off some steam – and they just happen to be highly instagrammable too!

The Slate, Phuket – Thailand

The spectacular woven Tree Nest at The Slate’s COQOON Spa hangs from an age-old Banyan tree. Escape into this extraordinary setting that resembles an enchanted garden set against a tropical rainforest. Spoil yourself with rejuvenating treatments, age-defying facials and deep-tissue massages – all using rich, luscious ingredients and specifically tailored to your needs. There’s also yoga in the wild, super-stretching classes, pure pilates and circuit workouts.

Don’t miss:

Indulge in a Coqoon Awakening Massage where two highly skilled therapists will treat you in complete unison. Emerge reawakened, ready for flight.

Pimalai Resort & Spa – Koh Lanta, Thailand

Pimalai, which translates as ‘a little patch of heaven’ ticks all the right boxes when it comes to luxury resorts: breathtaking views, a pristine beach, fabulous infinity pools – as well as a tip-top award-winning spa designed to zap away your stress. The seven treatment rooms topped with grass roofs, outdoor spa sala, outdoor Jacuzzi and steam room are nestled in a quiet part of the jungle away from the resort. From the spa’s aesthetics to the friendly staff and the luxurious treatments, everything about the Pimalai Spa is designed to take you to seventh heaven.

Don’t miss:

Share the experience with the ‘Royal Koo Rak’ couple’s package that includes a private jacuzzi for two, body scrub and choice of massage.

Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary – Bhutan

Secluded, with sweeping views of the valley below, this is the country’s first inclusive wellbeing, high-end sanctuary. The walls of the Wellness Centre are adorned with glass jars full of healing herbs that feature predominantly in the treatments. Unwind overworked muscles with a signature Ku Nye Tibetan massage and a dip in the hot stone baths. Heated by hot river stones, the local belief is that the water has healing properties. Then immerse yourself in the 50-metre heated pool with floor to ceiling windows for a swim with a view.

Don’t miss:

Book an appointment with one of the two in-house Bhutanese traditional medicine doctors for a well-being programme tailored to your needs.

Viceroy Bali – Indonesia

Deep in the jungle near Ubud, perched high above Bali’s Valley of the Kings, the Viceroy Bali’s Lembah Spa is the perfect location for the pursuit of holistic health and well-being – with incredible views thrown in! Spread over two floors, this high-rise sanctuary is a haven of nurturing, relaxation and tranquility boasting a steam room, hot tub, and a lounge area with valley views. The menu of treatments has been meticulously developed combining Western knowledge with Balinese wellness techniques handed down over centuries.

Don’t miss:

Stiff back after a long flight? A traditional Balinese massage will soon cure that. This firm massage has been practised for centuries to help relieve muscle pain caused by working long hours in the rice fields.

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh – Vietnam

Fusion Resort’s chic villas boast private outdoor pools and terraces with designer ‘hammock’ bathtubs and open-plan living spaces. But it’s the all-inclusive spa and wellness concept that has the real pulling power. Each guest is guaranteed a minimum of two spa treatments per day – with more if you want it, which is just as well as there are a staggering 35 menu options including signature Himalayan salt therapies and a range of luxury facials. It’s proof that when it comes to pampering, you can never have too much of a good thing…

Don’t miss:

Follow a holistic approach and join the resort’s yoga, tai chi, qi gong and meditation classes to awaken the spirit and energise the body.

Memoire Palace Resort & Spa – Siem Reap

The resort’s Memoria Spa takes wellness very seriously. Their Physical Restoration Programme uses advanced techniques to alleviate joint pain, muscle tension and headaches. The treatments in the Healing Programme are designed to complement your dominant element, whether fire, earth, water or air. Guests will be whisked away into this elegant sanctuary to be massaged, scrubbed, wrapped and stretched – to emerge revitalised and radiant.

Don’t miss:

There’s also Apsara movement yoga, traditional Khmer martial arts and meditation to nurture your mind, body and spirit.