How to make the most of the spa on your luxury holiday

A spa day is pure indulgence, a chance to switch off and unwind. You can book in for a muscle-melting massage or restore your glow with an expert facial. But while a single day at the spa feels like a treat, why stop there? Taking more time out for a full-blown luxury spa holiday will leave you feeling like a totally new person.

When it comes to rejuvenating your mind, body and soul, nothing beats a spa wellness retreat. Choose between luxurious overwater pavilions in a postcard-worthy Maldives resort or tranquil forest havens in Europe. Here’s how to make the most of your luxury spa experience and create the ultimate relaxing spa getaway.

Why spa treatments are essential for your luxury holiday

The benefits of spa treatments go far beyond a bit of pampering. For many, they’re a vital part of a holistic wellness journey. Spa therapies supercharge both the mind and body. They can ease stress, improve circulation and help relieve any niggling aches and pains. The key benefits of a spa holiday include:

Stress relief: Massages like aromatherapy and deep tissue reduce cortisol levels, helping you to unwind from daily pressures.

Improved skin and detoxification: Body wraps and facials cleanse and hydrate your skin, leaving you with a radiant, dewy glow.

Deeper relaxation: Treatments like reflexology or hydrotherapy align the body and mind, encouraging better sleep and improved mood.

At Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa, the spa is suspended over a sparkling turquoise lagoon, making it a standout among spa resorts in the Maldives. Couples will find bliss in curated spa packages, offering dual massages in serene settings where you can reconnect and rejuvenate together.

Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa

Tanjong Jara Resort in Malaysia has an award-winning spa overlooking beautiful lotus-filled ponds. The therapies draw inspiration from the Malay philosophy of Sucimurni, focusing on nurturing the soul and enhancing wellbeing. Traditional Malay treatments include restful heated sea sand therapies, knot-busting warrior massages and cleansing wild ginger facials.

These are just two examples of relaxing spa getaways and the types of spa treatments you can expect. If we’ve sparked your curiosity, let us help you figure out the best spa treatments for you.

Tanjong Jara Resort, Malaysia

How to choose the best spa treatment for your needs

Choosing the right treatment can transform your holiday. First, try to figure out what your body is craving. Is it crying out for relaxation and skin rejuvenation, or do you need a holistic wellness boost?

For unwinding: Choose an aromatherapy or Swedish massage. They’re ideal for easing you into a restful slumber without the intensity of deep tissue work.

For detox: Treatments such as body scrubs, mud wraps or Ayurvedic therapies cleanse the body and promote lymphatic drainage.

For skin rejuvenation: Hydrating facials and treatments using natural oils can restore skin elasticity, helping you achieve that all-important glow.

For stress relief: A hot stone massage provides soothing warmth, helping to melt away stress and promote a sense of tranquillity.

For easing tense muscles: Deep tissue or sports massages get to the root of the problem. Therapists can adjust the pressure to ease tightly-wound muscles and knots.

Luxury spas often use one-of-a-kind, local therapies in their treatments. At Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra in Kerala, you’ll find authentic Ayurvedic therapies tailored to your dosha (body constitution), creating a bespoke treatment just for you. Ayurvedic doctors work hand-in-hand with massage therapists, yoga instructors and even chefs to ensure a holistic, nurturing wellness environment.

Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kerala, India

What to expect from a luxury spa experience

Luxury spa resorts begin your pampering journey the moment you arrive. It’s not like booking a regular hotel, where relaxation only sets in once you lie down on the massage table.

You’ll taste the goodness in the freshly squeezed fruit juice you’re handed on arrival, and feel your stresses start to melt away as your bags are whisked off to your room. The view from every window is designed to soothe the senses; your bed will be the comfiest you’ve ever slept on; the service will be faultless. Some special aspects of spa resorts to look out for include:

Personalised consultations: Experienced therapists will design a bespoke programme specifically tailored to your wellness goals.

Breathtaking settings: From overwater treatment rooms at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives to thermal springs at Fontsanta Thermal Spa & Wellness Hotel in Mallorca, the gorgeous scenery is as calming as the therapies themselves.

World-class amenities: Expect top-notch facilities such as hydrotherapy pools, saunas and tranquil relaxation lounges as part of your experience.

For couples, many resorts specialise in spa packages that include private spa suites and romantic rituals designed for two.

Fontsanta Thermal Spa & Wellness Hotel, Mallorca

How to find the best spa resort for your holiday

The dream spa experience starts with choosing the right destination. Renowned for its spellbinding natural beauty and wow-worthy resorts, the Maldives is a top choice for spa holidays. Meanwhile, resorts like Heritage Le Telfair in Mauritius feature outdoor suites surrounded by tranquil pools.

Villa San Paolo Spa Resort in Tuscany has natural thermal waters, known for their healing properties.

If water therapy is your thing, try Sri Lanka’s Santani Wellness Resort & Spa, which has an entire floor dedicated to hydrotherapy.

Santani Wellness Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka

Read guest reviews for insights into the quality of the treatments and facilities. Also, consider expert recommendations like the ones our travel consultants offer. We provide hand-picked suggestions to ensure your spa holiday goes off without a hitch. It’s also worth looking for resorts with specialities, such as Ayurvedic treatments in India or hydrotherapy in Europe. They offer exclusive local therapies that you won’t find anywhere else.

For a truly immersive experience, Kuoni’s wellness itineraries, such as the Thailand Wellness Journey or Sri Lanka Wellness tour, let you explore multiple destinations alongside a variety of carefully curated spa and wellness experiences.

Villa San Paolo Spa Resort, Tuscany

Wellness travel tips: How to maximise the benefits of your spa treatments

Preparation and aftercare are key to making the most of your treatments. But don’t worry, we promise it doesn’t require too much effort.

Before your treatment:

· Stay hydrated to enhance detoxification.

· Arrive early to enjoy the spa facilities and relax before your appointment.

· Avoid heavy meals – you don’t want your body to be so focused on digesting that you’re not able to unwind properly.

After your treatment:

· Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins.

· Avoid alcohol, which can dehydrate you and diminish the treatment's effects.

· Take plenty of time to rest, letting your body absorb the benefits.

For a complete wellness experience, consider combining your spa retreat with yoga or mindfulness sessions. Many luxury spas now offer wellness retreats that blend therapies with meditation or fitness classes. A mix of activities followed by spa relaxation makes for a truly holistic holiday.

Exploring multi-destination wellness journeys

Why limit your relaxation to just one destination? Multi-resort itineraries let you try a range of treatments and wellness traditions.

Make the most of Thailand by embarking on a full-blown wellness journey staying at three hotels, from a bustling Bangkok gem to tropical secluded resorts in Koh Lanta and Krabi. Gradually unwind at each resort until you’re completely relaxed, floating effortlessly in a natural mineral hot spring.

In Sri Lanka, you can experience four luxury spa resorts. Practice back-bending yoga poses, soak away your cares in hydrotherapy pools, brush up your martial arts skills and decompress with an Ayurvedic massage. You’ll also get the convenience of a private car and driver to explore the local must-see sights at your own pace.

This feature was created on 23rd December 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.