Wednesday, 31 May 2006 |

The hotel spa is no longer just a place to grab a
quick massage to alleviate your jet lag. The best hotels in the world
have taken the spa concept to a whole new level, transforming their
spas into little utopias of relaxation, rejuvenation and pure
pampering. The modern spa is a ultra exclusive hideaway, a place where
you can retreat from the outside world. Leaders in the new spa concept
include the new Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia, Kara Spa at the Park
Hyatt in Los Angeles and Plateau in the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The
Banyan Tree resort in Phuket Thailand houses one of the world's most luxurious Spas.
Instead of one big area with treatment rooms, Banyan Tree's Spa is
actually 14 beautiful villas - four Royal Pavilions and eight slightly
smaller Garden Pavilions set along one side of the pool. Each one has a
miniature walled garden containing two massage beds, for couples who
like to take treatments at the same time. Aside from being
beautiful the villas afford guests total privacy and absolute
one-on-one attention.
Coolhunter's spa experience (the Lomi
Lomi massage) certainly lived up to expectations. It was bliss with a
capital B and relaxation with a capital R. Afterwards, as I sat in the
steam room while my massuer was preparing the shower, I realised I had
absolutely no idea what day it was. Needless to say that night I slept
the best I have ever slepted in my life. by Billy T
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