Spa by COMO Shambhala at COMO Shambhala Estate. Credit: The COMO Group
Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time for a little spa renewal. But rather than your usual deep-tissue massage, why not opt for something a little more indulgent?
In honor of the 60th edition of Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Awards, we’ve rounded up a sumptuous selection of treatments at some newly minted Four-Star spas around the globe.
Javanese Royal Lular Bath
Inspired by historic beauty rituals performed in the palaces of Central Java, this extra-luxe offering from Bali’s Spa by COMO Shambhala at COMO Shambhala Estate is out of this world. Start off with a soothing Balinese massage followed by a body scrub of mixed aromatic spices to exfoliate and leave your skin feeling silky smooth. Fresh yogurt is applied to cool you off before taking a relaxing soak in a flower-filled bath fit for royalty.
Nüwa Spa Manila. Credit: City of Dreams Manila
Two-Fold Hilot
Masterfully performed using traditional methods and ingredients, the Two-Fold Hilot is the signature treatment of the opulent Nüwa Spa Manila and a must-try if you’re looking to give your aching muscles a little extra love. Two therapists use heated medicinal leaves, wooden sticks and herbal clay to perform a combination of traditional hilot (“hands-on healing”) massage and dagdagay (“pressure point”) foot therapy to leave you feeling fully refreshed.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Prague. Credit: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Prague
Oriental Harmony
Four hands are better than two, especially when working in tandem during this stellar treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Prague. After a serene foot bath, you’ll enjoy a warm exfoliating scrub applied by two therapists simultaneously followed by a harmonious full-body massage. The pampering ends with a head and foot rub using fragrant oils that will energize and balance you.
Ritz Spa. Credit: Four Seasons Hotels Limited
Portuguese Retreat
After exploring Lisbon’s famously hilly landscape, indulge in a full-body service fit for a king at Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon’s Ritz Spa. Inspired by the region’s bounty, the Portuguese Retreat begins with a natural body scrub of almond and honey that buffs your skin until it’s soft and smooth. Afterward, a rose-infused massage delivers pure bliss.
Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba. Credit: FRHI
Cha Chac Rain Ritual
Immerse yourself in Mayan culture when you visit Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba. Inspired by the rain god Chac, this ritual begins with a traditional blessing and the burning of copal incense followed by the application of a healing body mask made of cornmeal, clay and oats. Once you complete a cleansing exfoliation, you’ll rinse off in a warm, soothing rain shower before finishing the luxurious treatment with a sage oil massage.
The Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa. Credit: The Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa
Hammam “Lumière sur le Corps”
No luxury trip to Morocco would be complete without experiencing a hammam, and The Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa boasts an exceptionally stunning one. Take in the white marble and mosaic details of this traditional steam room as you’re pampered in the two-hour Lumière sur le Corps (“light on the body”) ritual. Lie on a warm marble table as your skin is exfoliated using a Kessa mitt and a black soap scrub. When that concludes, enjoy a ceremonial massage with MarocMaroc Coupe de Coeur products.
Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Credit: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Woodlands Restorative Experience
Nature and nurture come together for this unique hydrotherapy experience at Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Secluded in the fairytale forests of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, this holistic spa’s signature water-based treatment begins with a lemon coffee exfoliation followed by a luscious jasmine- and rose-infused rhassoul clay wrap. Next, bask in a cypress mineral bath before topping it off with a 50-minute cardamom-, amber- and grape-seed-oil-packed massage.
La Prairie Spa at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Credit: La Prairie Spa at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Diamond Perfection Body Treatment
When in L.A., do as the stars do and head for the newest and glitziest spa in town. Opened in June 2017, La Prairie Spa at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is the only place in the city to carry the premium Swiss skincare brand’s line of exclusive services. The crème de la crème of red-carpet-ready offerings is the Diamond Perfection Body Treatment. Get a top-to-bottom exfoliation using diamond and tourmaline powders before being massaged with Skin Caviar Luxe Soufflé Body Cream for an exceptional finishing touch.
