In the distance, Keemala Resort on Phuket looks like a group of straw cocoons hanging on the side of a mountain. They aren’t, of course. They’re firmly anchored in the ground and built to exacting standards. “Guests love them,” said Onuma Jitbunjong, Keemala’s spa manager, who talked about the resort from their mountainside pool. She pointed to the town below, the thick jungle around the pod and the Andaman Sea in the distance. “If you come around two o’clock, you’ll see a very ancient tree that appears to rise from the forest. And to the right, there’s a natural waterway from the mountain, where the resort gets its water. It looks like a brook flows between two of our pods at this level. There’s a rope bridge between them.” Keemala has 38 villas and limits guests to 80 at any given time. There are four types of villas constructed from material and sustainable wood, including natural bamboo and thatched roofs. The pods are built the same way other buildings are and with solid concrete bases. “They’re built this way to withstand heavy wind and rainstorms. We went further than we would with other buildings precisely because they’re built on the side of a mountain. In addition, every effort was made to build the pods around marked mature trees so that they would not be cut down and redesign our structures so we could work around them,” added Onuma, whose Tai nickname is On. The most interesting are the eight Bird’s Nest Pool Villas, inspired by the RangNok community and regarded as the most superior in intellect and spirituality. They were the philosophers, poets, musicians, philosophers and astrologers. They would bathe under the moonlight, believing their souls would be replenished. What are they like inside? Each has a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a private pool, a large outdoor terrace and large bedrooms with sea, rainforest and resort views.
Sixteen clay pool cottages reflect the earthiness of the Pa-Ta-Pea clan, who were leaders in agriculture, excelling as fishermen, gardeners, carpenters, blacksmiths and miners. They used earth to build walls, roofs and even furniture and beds made from soil and clay. Their buildings were erected around rivers. They also have a master bedroom with king-size beds. The 14 one-bedroom cottages with king-sized beds and two two-bedroom cottages shared large bathrooms and rainforest and resort views. The seven Tent Pool Villas reflect the lives of the Khon-Jorn clan, an adventurous group of foragers, herders, traders and explorers who traded goods with other tribes they met on their journeys. They built semi-permanent homes. Inside the Tent Villas, decorated by forms of wildlife. At Keemala, the Tent Villas also have a king-size bed,
private pool, outdoor terrace and large bathrooms with a bathtub, an outside shower, and sea, rainforest and resort views. Keemala’s seven Tree Pool Vilas represent the We-Ha people, who worshipped the universe and chose to live in dwellings suspended from trees to be nearer to the sky. They were the healers, creators, architects and inventors. Their furniture and fittings hung from the ceiling. They also have king-sized beds, private pools, large bathrooms, outdoor showers, two levels of living space, and rainforest and resort views. The resort is located on the west side of Phuket Island, a five-minute drive to Keemala Beach and 10 minutes away from Patong Beach. It’s also a 40-minute drive from the airport. As you approach the resort, you’re unsure what to expect, but all that changes when you drive into the resort grounds. You pass a waterfall where ducks play and into the resort’s welcome pavilion, with its bamboo roof structure and stone mosaic. From there, it’s a pretty steep climb to the next level to reach the lobby. Most guests make the trip in one of the resort’s buggies. You walk through another set of doors, through a walkway to another pod to enter the lobby lounge with its dark-stained mahogany furniture with a turquoise accent. The floor has a bluish tinge.
Keemala has two pools. The first is located at the welcome level. The main pool and its organic garden are on the second level. “It has a beautiful view of the resort and a hangout for many guests. “We see ourselves as a romantic retreat, even though we do have young guests from time to time,” said On. Keemala’s spa uses traditional healing approaches to your body, mind and soul and integrates these with the best pampering regimes in treatment rooms to accommodate both individuals and couples. Its rituals were designed by Keemala’s spa team and were inspired by the stories of the Keemala Clans and their distinctive way of living.
The spa has eight large treatments rooms that can accommodate individuals or couples. “Each of our treatments incorporates elements of traditional healing that result in a profound internal experience,” said On. “We offer a full range of pampering rituals and massages as well as holistic and traditional therapies. These include Raindrop Healing Therapy, Integrative Thai Bodywork, Reiki and its popular Seaweed Hot Stone massage.” The spa uses organic products from Siam Botanicals, Voya and Spa Ritual. The spa’s signature treatment is Voya Seaweed Hot Stove massage, a deep-tissue therapy that releases anti-oxidizing extracts and healing minerals from the seaweed. It is combined with hot stones placed on key parts of your body and offers a special treatment with a master practitioner that incorporates Traditional Thai practices, called Thai Integrative Bodywork. The treatment incorporates the Traditional Thai Massage, Tok Sen, Pranic Healing and Crystal Healing. https://youtu.be/_-XTowjk6JA More Keemala Phuket Pix “Our guests generally prefer massages with strong pressure for a deeply relaxing experience,” said On. The spa has two popular massages – The Harmonizing and The Deep Tissue. The Harmonizing is designed to relax, balance, and harmonize your body and calm your mind, using signature oil blends – Khon, Khon-Jorn and Pa-Ta-Pea, while The Deep Tissue focuses on lymphatic stimulation and the elimination of toxins, using a specific organic blend of aromatherapy oils, known for their detoxifying powers. Other massages include the Voya Organic Heated Herbal, which rejuvenates your skin; Traditional Thai or Nuad Pan Doran; Herbal Hot Compress, which relieves pain and inflammation; Synergy, performed by two therapists using Traditional Thai Balinese and Swedish massages techniques; Sowathara, designed to alleviate the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy; and The Raindrop Healing, which relieves pain and inflammation. Popular facials include The Voga Organic Anti-Ageing, which uses Voga organic ingredients to fight visible signs of ageing, leaving you instantly firmed and your skin tightened with a natural radiant glow; and the Voga Deluxe Facial Experience, described as a revolutionary seaweed facial that begins with a back scrub, using finely ground organic seaweed to exfoliate your skin and organic seaweed leaves on your face. May describes it as “the crème de la crème” of all facials. It renews and revives your skin and alleviates fine lines and wrinkles. Other facials include the Organic Environmental Defence, which lifts your face through cleansing, exfoliating and nourishing your skin, using a blend of Moringa, Argan and Tamanei; Siam Botanical Deep Cleansing. It uses the anti-microbial and
skin-healing properties of coconut, sugar and honey to cleanse and by a deeply firming massage, using Siam Botanicals Anti-Ageing Replenish Serum Mala Spa also offers nine rituals, using an Infrared Sauna, Organic Bath and Voya Organic Seaweed Bath. The Seaweed Leaf Ritual features a Seaweed Leaf wrap, followed by a Hot Stone massage and spa cuisine, while the Seaweed Ritual focuses on both our inner and outer beauty. It starts with a steam or a sauna, then a polish and a Harmonizing massage, designed to rejuvenate and uplift your face. The Thai Space Ritual begins with a revitalizing bath and a body scrub, using local spices along with coconut and curry leaf. Other rituals include the Anti-Ageing, Sensory Experience; Distress; Women’s Vitality; Energizer; and Restorative Jetlag.
Among scrubs and wraps, standouts include The Infrared Ritual, which uses the healing power of the sauna to relieve muscle tension, skin problems, arthritis and insomnia. Siam Botanicals’ body polish is an all-natural body treatment that hydrates, exfoliates and removes dead skin, while the Voya Organic Seaweed Leaf body wrap cocoons your body in muslin before being wrapped in a thermal blanket to detoxify, firm and soften your skin. Other scrubs and wraps include the Rejuvenating; Voya Bladder Whack Body Buff, Siam Botanicals’ After-Sun, and the Fuscius Luscious Organic Salt Glow. There’s also a Holistic Slimming massage, which uses a special blend of plant essences, and its Anti-Cellulite massage techniques to shed inches and keep your body’s ability to remove toxins and waste. Practitioners who specialize in holistic therapies, including sound and Shiatsu by a master in vibrational attunement, visit Keemala throughout the year. The spa also offers living retreats for guests wishing to purify, energize, unwind or rejuvenate. All are available as three-day or six-day retreats. Keemala’s emphasis on organic is also reflected in its cuisine, using herbs and vegetables from its garden. Both are harvested daily for their kitchens and spa. When it comes to dining experiences, Keemala offers all-day dining and an upscale bar, which serves a light lunch, snacks and an early dinner. “A lot of our dining experiences are private. Many guests have breakfast in their pod. We also have private dining, in which you’re able to book a private dinner at a location of your choice.” Things to see and do: Jungle walkways, yacht charters, scuba diving and snorkelling, cooking classes close to home, a fitness studio, a wine cellar and a boutique to discover.
Melia Mai Khao Phuket Home of an Ancient Australian Goddess “With its breathtaking beauty and serenity, there isn’t a more desirable place to be on the water than Mai Khao Beach,” said Magdalena Martorell, Melia Phuket Mai Khao’s general manager. She described it as a leisure resort defined by a distinct focus on customer well-being. YHI Spa is located behind the lobby and Elyxr Café. It takes its inspiration from a myth about Yhi, the goddess responsible for creating life and light, personified by the sun for Karraur – a native tribe a native Australian tribe who worshipped Yhi. At Phuket Mai Khao, its treatments reflect this theme and its treatments are focused on wellness, where you body is pampered, your emotions nurtured and your senses, regenerated.
The spa has five treatment rooms, named after the five elements found in nature, ourselves and our surrounding environment. It also utilizes a combination of natural plant-based and Thai organic ingredient and its treatments are designed and inspired by traditional healing arts of Thai, Asian and European – with a touch of elegance to create a personalized experience for each person. “Our guests are invited to visit us for a free consultation to establish their needs and tailor a treatment experience from our therapists,” said, Viroj Jompaeng, whose Thai nickname is Sed. The spa offer four Pleasure treatments, starting with the its intriguing Soul of Man Mai Khao Arena – an ancient remedy dating back thousands of years. It uses the natural power of heat therapy and Mai Khao sand is known to promote well-being from the healing properties of its minerals. In the treatment, heated sand is mixed with herbs followed by an aroma massage refining body detoxification to increase blood circulation, discharge wastes while observing oxygen sufficiently in our body.
The Sense Enrich begins with a full-body scrub, made from an organic blend with golden honey, organic Phuket pineapple to exfoliate and reveal flawless skin. It also includes a hot candle massage to help you relax. Other signatures include Sense Enrich, the Rhythm of soul and Luna and Hot Stone Enhancing. The Sense Enrich is the spa’s four-hands massage, where two therapists work together in rhythm with selected essential oils based on your needs. The Sol oil will invigorate your senses
while the Luna oil calms your nervous system. The Hot Stone Enhancing warms, soothes and heats your body using a slow massage and the heat released from the stones to help your mind unwind. Oiled stones are placed on your body’s energy points to penetrate deep within to promote blood circulation, ease muscle tension and remove blockages. Body therapies offer a range of massages, starting with the Traditional Thai massage, based on a ritual dating back 2,500 years. It uses palm strokes and thumb pressure along the energy line of the body along with stretching to alleviate problem conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and stress. The Thai Herbal Bliss massage features a Thai herbal compress, called Luk Prakob in Thai, wrapped in a muslin pouch, used for centuries to relieve pain and inflammation. The herbal pouches are applied to your body at pressure points, along with the Traditional Thai Massage, to promote blood circulation and transport oxygen. “Great for relieving muscle aches and pains.” The Deep Tissue Sport Massage focuses on the deeper layers of tissue to personalize specific needs as a result of sports, stress or injury. The Aroma Relaxation uses a selection of natural plant extract essential oils blend to represent the four elements – earth, air, fire and water – followed by a relaxation massage to realign and soothe your body, using aromatherapy to transport you to a tranquil state. There is also a Swedish massage features “a wonderful combination of light to firm gliding strokes to promote total relaxation release,” and increase blood supply and nutrients for your muscles. https://youtu.be/lUY0rABpP5I More Melia Phuket Pix YHI also offers three other healing therapies. The Office Syndrome Therapy therapeutic massage concentrates on your specific needs. It’s highly focused to relieve physical and emotional tension in your back, neck and shoulder areas. The Chi Nei Tsang takes a holistic approach, developed following Traditional Chinese healing principles that asserts emotional blockages are physically hosted in our body. It focuses on gentle, deep massage of your abdomen to train our internal abdominal organs so that they can operate in a more efficient manner. The Lymphatic Drainage massage focuses on your lympthatic circulation system to work more efficiently, along with a massage to drain your lymph, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels and make your immune system work more efficiently. The spa has a revitalizing series of facial treatments with an emphasis on hydrating, brightening and soothing. It starts with a cleansing, followed by a mild exfoliation of facial rice and a clay mask to revitalize and hydrate your skin, leavingit soft and looking invigorated. There is also a scalp, hand and foot massage and a Lymphatic Drainage massage.
There are a number of body mask, body wraps and body exfoliation. The HARNN Contouring Body Mask with active ingredients to reduce cellulite and uses Caffeine. Carnitine and other lipolytic substances and pro–liporeductyl technology to penetrate your skin, and a blend of olive oil, shea butter and a Firming body wrap to reduce cellulite and return natural moisture to your skin. With regular sessions, this treatment can help tone and reshape your body. The 60-minute After-Sun Soothing mask uses the cooling effects of Aloe Vera to relieve sunburn, reduce redness and irritation. Other exfoliation treatments include the Thai Jasmine, which uses corn cob and red rice to exfoliate and Marsh Mellow oil and Centella Asiatica extract to leave your skin smooth and radiant. The popular White Tea and Camella is a concentrated scrub made from charcoal powder to remove dead skin cells and promote smooth and radian skin while providing long-lasting moisture with ceramides and hyalauronic acid and the anti-oxidant properties of white tea leaves.It stimulates blood circulation and strengthens your skin barrier from within. The Juniper Atmos Skin Regeneration Sugar Mangosteen – a long name for a one-hour treatment – uses sugar and Mangosteen to exfoliate along with Rice Jasmine noisome technology to encapsulate and penetrates deep into target areas while Golden Silk extract leaves your skin smooth and soft. The sugar gently exfoliates and hydrates your skin while Mangosteen powder, rich in polyphenol to nourish your new skin and wound healing effect.
YHI has two bath rituals – the Milky Fleur, which uses fresh milk and the alluring scent of your favourite essential oil to promote hydrating your skin, while the Herbal Indulgence helps to stimulate blood circulation and release tension. YHI’s therapists also provide poolside and in-villa treatments.
The spa’s fitness centre is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes and weights machines. And for your children, a kids club with workshops to keep them entertained. Melia Mai Kao is located on eight acres of Phuket’s northwestern coastline overlooking the Andaman Sea fronting Phuket’s longest stretch of sand on Mai Khao Beach. It has 30 one-bedroom suites and 70 one-bedroom villas. The resort has three accommodation categories. Each features a single bedroom, differentiated by an anchoring amenity such as an outdoor bathtub, a private plunge pool or a wellness arrangement. The resort is a 15-minute drive to Phuket International Airport and near a number of attractions, including Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, Sirinat National Park and Wat Phra Thong temple. Melia Mail Khao is shaded by lots of trees and plants and its design uses a neutral palette of colours as a complement to Mai Khao’s sandy shore. Its high ceilings, floor-to-floor and roof glass panels and decorative metal screens add another aspect to the abundance of sunshine. All suites and villas feature outdoor bathtubs, open-air showers and outdoor terraces to take advantage of Phuket’s tropical climate, which averages 28 degrees Celsius year round. Gardens and fixtures such as white stucco exterior walls also ensure privacy. The 78 sqm suites also have cabanas and the 85sqm one-bedroom villas have private plunge pools. The resort’s “wellness villas” have an opener Vitamin C shower, daily massage, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, fit ball and yoga mat. You’re never far from from one of its four diverse places to dine or snack, starting with its all-day dining restaurant, SASA, which specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine and casual fine dining at night. Gaia celebrates Spain’s famed gastronomy, serving Mediterranean and fusion cuisine frim an open-air kitchen and cocktails from a long bar. Near the beach pool with its cabanas and sun lounges, there’s the Gaia Beach Club and “the place to be”. The Elyxr Café, located in the resort’s lounge area with sofas and a selection of books serves coffee and tea. At the centre of the resort is the swim-up Pool Bar that serves up fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails. Melia Mai Khao has a number of pools, starting with its saltwater pools, private pools, a reflection pond with sunken seating areas, water gardens, vertical falls and irrigation mist that evoke a restorative atmosphere. Conference facilities include a 131 sqm grand ballroom and two additional large multi-function rooms and caters up to 100 guests for a standing cocktail reception or 88 guests while the two adjacent multipurpose rooms can seat up to 16 guests for a boardroom meeting.
Phuket Marriott Nai Yang Beach Healing Powers of Feng Shui They take feng shui very seriously at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa Nai Yang. Even its location, between the Andaman Sea and the mountains, is designed to evoke a feeling of calm and a sense of harmony and healing.
It extends to the location of its gardens, which are connected to the feng shui energy of personal growth and self-cultivation. The feng shui element needed in this area is earth, making it an excellent location for a Zen garden, I was told while walking around the resort. Water is especially important and a complex area in feng shui. The resort uses feng shui consultants for specific formulas and guidelines to determine the best feng shui location and position for a water feature. You can see it at work in the 3,000-metre swimming pool that winds its way past the resort’s first block of guest residences, under a foot bridge, and then a second bridge connecting the upper deck to the Chai Lay restaurant. From there, it curves past another block of residences, the Terrace restaurant and two more residences before completing a circle around the resort. The oval-shaped waterway is never-ending and makes for interesting, powerful feng shui. Pools that run past residences like these are believed to have a positive influence and can bring good luck.
The Phuket Marriott’s gardens use flowing shapes and pathways and the “right ” elements in its décor. In the case of the gardens, curving pathways keep chi or energy flow running smoothly. Straight lines are rarely present in nature. An outdoor fountain, for example, is excellent for money and abundant energy – and a great protective feng shui cure.
“You can bring joy and healing harmony to your garden – as we do at the resort – by choosing colours that emphasize specific energies, such as fire energy in the southern part of the garden in the form of red and purple flower colours or earth energy in the southwest with light yellow colours.” BggBkuMHiE4 Visiting Phuket Marriott Nai Yang The resort pays homage to the beautiful Red-Whiskered Bulbub, prized by locals for its sweet call and colourful plumage that’s both charming and distinctive. It’s quite rare, and locals believe that it will bring you good luck if you see one. It even has the stamp of royal approval. Queen Sirikit of Thailand has established an annual bird-singing content. In honour of Red-Whiskered Bulbub, Phuket Marriott has incorporated images all around the resort – in its furnishing fixtures and fittings and the most unlikely of places. Like other Marriott hotels and resorts, Phuket Marriott’s Quan Spa draws on the restorative and healing properties of water but adapted to its location. Spa reception is located below the resort’s Andaman Kitchen restaurant, with easy access from the lawn downstairs from the lobby. A lavender scent follows you around the spa with four large treatment rooms. Every treatment begins with Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy to relax your body and mind. Tibetan singing bowls have been used for centuries for healing and meditation purposes. They create a range of sounds to restore the normal vibratory frequencies of diseased and out-of-harmony parts of your body, mind and soul. Phuket Marriott is known for its Quan Signature massage, which employs custom touch therapy tailored to your specific needs. It uses warm aromatic oil to stimulate your body and relieve stress, muscle tension and fatigue while stimulating your blood circulation. Then, a massage, using heated salt and herbs to knead and compress the muscles along your meridian lines for a deeply soothing experience. It is also the spa’s most popular massage. Massages are clear favourites at Phuket Marriott, including its popular Fusion, recommended to new spa visitors. It’s a relaxing massage with acupressure and stretching techniques to reinvigorate your senses, while the Thai Herbal uses a Traditional Thai massage and heated herb packs to heat to dissolve muscular aches and pains and leave you feeling recharged.
The Deep Tissue massage, a deeper massage, is tailored to your needs, whether loosening tense muscles after a long day of activities, sports, or travel, leaving you feeling refreshed. The Aromatherapy uses the healing powers of essential oils and the Swedish massage to help you relax. Different blends are used at other times of the day.
New to Phuket Mariott? Try the three-hour Siam Touch, a traditional Thai package that starts with an Asian Herbal scrub to remove dead skin cells and revitalize your skin. It uses firm strokes with circular thumb movements to work on tired muscles. It also includes a Thai Herbal Therapy massage and an exotic Thai facial. The spa’s most popular facial is the Quan Signature, a rejuvenating treatment that features local, natural ingredients – yogurt, black sesame, honey and papaya – to refresh and rebalance your skin. It also uses silk cocoons to firm and tone, provides deep cleansing and exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and leave your skin soothed and soft. Other facials include the ever-popular Anti-Ageing, a 75-minute treatment that instantly and visibly reduces wrinkles while revitalizing your skin. It uses native Alga that aids in the rebirth of skin cells and offers antioxidant protection. The Balancing Care is a multi-action facial that purifies, regulates and repairs your skin and regulates sebum and metabolism. The After Sun alleviates skin irritations and reduces skin redness – perfect for minimizing the effects of prolonged sun exposure and helping it recover radiance, comfort and protection.
The 30-minute Intensive Eye Treatment uses an eye mask of marine collagen to rejuvenate, warm and refresh your delicate eye area and reduce fine lines. For even better results, it should be considered with a facial. When it comes to body treatments, the spa offers four scrubs, starting with the popular Coconut Salt, which uses Epson salt to exfoliate. The salt also has a
detoxifying effect on your skin. Oils are used to reduce the effect of salt. Coconut oils are high in Vitamin E and great for your skin. The other scrubs, also 45 minutes in duration, include the Honey Sesame, Tamarind and Espresso Body. Wraps include the popular Quan Signature Body, which uses lavender essential oil, Clary sage and peppermint to cool your body and relax your mind, while papaya extract, Din So Pong, Thai clay, green tea powder exfoliate and brighten your skin. The Aloe Vera Soothing Gel is the best source for sunburn therapy, comforting wounds and reducing scars. The Asian White Body employs phial and white mud to whiten jojoba, sweet almond and safflower to nourish and balance your skin moisture. The other wraps include the Green Tea Body, which uses green tea, whitening properties, and mint and Kaffir lime to cleanse and improve circulation. https://youtu.be/y1Eku28mLD4 More Phuket Marriott Nai Yang Pix Quan Spa also offers three Sea Escapes, ranging from two to three hours in duration: The Quan Journey – a mind-clearing experience that begins with a Coconut Body scrub and a Detoxifying Asian White wrap to exfoliate your body. Then, a Siam Oriental massage to reinvigorate your senses. The journey includes a foot ritual, Coconut Body scrub, Quan Signature wrap, Siam Oriental massage and a facial. The Couples Experience focuses on your mind and body. It includes a foot ritual, an Aromatherapy massage, an Indian Head Massage, and an in-room private bath. The Siam Touch starts with an Asian Herbal scrub, a Thai Herbal Therapy massage to work on tired muscles, and an exotic Homemade Thai facial Experience using local natural ingredients to leave a clean and fresh complexion. There is also a two-day well-being package that features a Detox scrub and wraps; Detox massage, a facial treatment; and private yoga and meditation.
Phuket Marriott Nai Yang has 116 seafront, low-rise rooms and private beachfront villas, consisting of 60 luxury rooms; 32 luxury pool access rooms; eight luxury suite rooms; five luxury suites with pool access; six beachfront pool villas; and five beachfront pool villas. The beachfront deluxe pool villas, 220 sqm in size, are only steps from the sea. They’re designed in two wings, connected by a small walkway. The main living room
leads to a large bedroom and a large en suite bathroom with a rain shower, while the second wing can be used either as a second bedroom or a living room and dining area. The beachfront pool villas, offering 182 sqm of living space, feature a private plunge pool, a semi-outdoor bathtub and a Thai-style pavilion that can be used for a massage. The luxury suite and luxury pool access suite, 54 and 112 sqm respectively, feature a living/dining room and a large bathroom and French windows that open onto a large balcony. Five of the suites offer direct access to the resort’s swimming pool. The luxury rooms and pool access rooms, 65 and 54 sqm respectively, provide great sea views, and the luxury pool access rooms are located on the ground floor. The resort has three main restaurants and private dining and its Lobby Lounge and poolside for light snacks and drinks. The Andaman Kitchen is the resort’s all-day dining restaurant and serves an extensive International breakfast and authentic Thai dishes throughout the day. It’s the go-to place for breakfast for its daily buffet breakfast, offering a range of live cooking stations creating omelets, Deerdles and our signature dish, eggs benedict topped with Phuket crab curry. The restaurant also serves an array of Thai cuisine during lunch, and its al fresco terrace is a great venue to relax in style. If you want to know about Thai cuisine, you can take part in a private cooking class, which offers the chance to create dishes from the four culinary regions of Thailand. The Big Fish Restaurant & Bar is Phuket Marriott’s signature restaurant. It serves an international lunch and dinner menu that showcases seafood and steaks, often sourced from local suppliers, including Phuket fishermen. It offers indoor, or al fresco seating. Alternatively, the rooftop lounge is perfect to soak up sea views while enjoying a glass of wine or a creative cocktail.
Big Fish Restaurant & Bar features regular themed buffets, plus the option of private candlelit dinners, to ensure the most romantic setting for your special occasion. It also features a series of flexible seating set-ups for groups. Interested in drinks? The Big Fish Bar offers a selection of beverages, including signature cocktails, fine wines and cold beers, while you overlook the ocean waves
from the resort’s beachfront bar. It also offers a choice of pizzas accompanied by atmospheric music. The Lounge, Phuket Marriott’s lobby bar, is open throughout the day and serves teas and coffees, including ice drinks, alongside landscaped gardens, a golden beach and the Andaman Sea. For diners in a hurry, takeaway drinks, and snacks are also available. When the sun goes down, The Lounge transforms into a chic bar featuring a premium collection of wines, liqueurs and spirits, plus classic and contemporary cocktails. Poolside is great for afternoon snacks and cooling drinks while unwinding in the tropical Phuket sun. Guests at the poolside can order a series of classic local dishes such as Phad Thai, plus Western favourites including sandwiches and burgers at the resort’s outdoor Infinity pool, which overlooks the ocean. Iced buckets of beer and “Wan Yen” lollipops and fruits are offered as a complimentary treat during afternoons. In-room dining service is ideal for families and friends wanting to spend quality time together. If you’re seeking a more intimate dining experience can choose to enjoy a range of delightful dishes in the privacy of your room, suite or villa. Couples seeking an even more intimate occasion can book private dinners on the beach – a great way to celebrate special events and create new memories.
For a unique and memorable dining experience, try the Beachfront Street Food Buffet. It offers a selection of the most popular Thai and Asian street food dishes on the sands of Nai Yang Beach, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Another great gathering place and dining experience for couples, families and friends to come together in a casual and fun atmosphere. Interesting things to see and do nearby:
A visit to a nearby orchid garden and Thai village, situated on a lake and featuring a number of exotic varieties of orchids not seen elsewhere, plus cultural performances focusing on Phuket’s uniqueness; or a visit to one of the island’s cashew nut factories, where you can buy cashews at a great price. Also worth seeing: Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre – the world’s first permanent program to rehabilitate captive gibbons so that they can survive in the wild. The centre is located in Khao Phra Theo National Park, near the Bang Phae waterfall. Laem Phrom Thep, situated at the southern tip of Phuket, is very popular with visitors, who flock there to see the amazing sunset over the Andaman Sea. Wat Chalong, Phuket’s famous monastery, is also located south of the island. When visiting the monastery, a couple of things to keep in mind: Shoes must be removed when entering the temple, and women must not touch the monks. If you’re interested in seeing the island’s wildlife, Plant Zoo and Phuket Aquarium or Phuket’s Marine Biological Research Centre. It features a touch pool, a glass ceiling aquarium and more than 50 observation tanks, where you can see a few rare species like the electric eel and piranha. Planet Zoo has three daily shows.
Naka Island Resort Phuket Strike the Gong and Make a Wish It’s a five-minute breezy speedboat ride from Ao Po Grand Marina on Phuket that has been exhilarating, leaving us feeling refreshed and cool as we stepped onto the wooden pier at Naka Island. The pier is 102 metres long and juts 30 metres out into the sun-tipped dancing waters of Phang Nga Bay. Naka Island is home to the Naka Island Resort – a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Naka Island is small as islands go, tree-covered and with brown sandy beaches. Naka Island Resort is the only resort on the island. From the pier, it’s a short buggy ride to the resort’s welcome sala, where you’ll be invited to strike a large gong at the entrance to announce your arrival and make a wish. Then you’ll be garlanded with a ring of fragrant island flowers, offered a cool herbal drink and then escorted to your villa. It’s all part of the island’s culture. Naka Island does not have a lobby in the traditional sense. You actually check-in at your villa. That and other services are handled by a Luxury Collection concierge, a bilingual, certified designation expert available 24 hours a day, and one of the things guests like about Naka Island. The resort and spa design are based on feng shui principles. Water, which plays a big role in feng shui, surrounds the spa. You can see it in the curves and flowing shapes of the buildings, the pool, gardens and water elements – all smoothness with soft, flowing movement. At Naka Island, only 2.56 km in size, you’re never far from the sea, no matter where you are. That includes the resort’s 458 sqm freshwater pool, which offers an unusual swimming experience. The pool is surrounded by sun loungers adjacent to a tropical pond and close to Naka Island’s ultra-private beach. The resort’s 67 villas are designed in classic tropical style, resembling a small Thai village. It comes as bit of a surprise. When you first capture a glimpse of the island, the resort is half hidden among the palms and deep green undergrowth even as you approach it. More surprises await on your way to the spa, especially the walkway, framed by soft arcing, green-leafed branches. As you near the spa area, the walkway turns into a more formal shaded walkway, covered by a thatched roof and supported by wood columns. It’s like walking into a leafy tunnel on your way to a different world. The spa, called Spa Naka, is located centrally on the island, close to the villas and near the resort’s fitness centre. The spa focuses on health, beauty and inner peace. Its buildings and walkways are made of natural stone, with paths that meander through foliage and over-water features.
Spa reception is very bright, with light brown walls and curving features, including its extra-large, custom-designed extended sofa with brown seat cushions and bright yellow, green and orange pillows. Lighting comes from recessed lamps in the ceiling and on the walls. Natural light floods the area from large windows. Outside, a large, ancient tree overlooks cement stepping stones on a brown pebbled area just outside the entrance. At spa reception, you’ll be welcomed by the spa’s ambassador, who will discuss any health concerns and treatment preferences you may have. “Depending on your spa experience, your therapist will suggest the best treatment for you and explain the benefits of each treatment,” said Urairat, whose Thai nickname is Pookie. The spa’s 12 private treatment suites are located in separate villas, a short walk from reception. They include four couples suites, outdoor rainforest showers, a private plunge pool, a stream bed, and a Kanieep pool – a hot and cold pool designed for foot massages. JuQ2xubbKVw Yuphawadee Khunthong Spa Manager, Naka Island Resort Tr7XExsLwFY Tooling around Naka Island Resort The rooms, large by industry standards, have treatment beds with white covers and flower blossoms at the head of each bed. The walls are an eggshell cream colour, and the wood floors gleam in the sunlight coming from the green shaded windows. Spa Naka uses three different fragrances through the spa – eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass, chosen by the therapist and rotated every day. In the treatment rooms, you get to choose the scent. The spa’s most popular treatment is the Watsu, performed in a large 60 sqm circular pool, which combines Shiatsu pressure point techniques with stretching. The Watsu pool is located in a separate sala of light brown rendered brick, with a thatched roof, and surrounded by water and reached by stepping stones. These and the absence of gravity help alleviate aches and pains and prepare you for the challenges we face daily. The Watsu has a lot of benefits and is suitable for all ages, men and women, and all swimming abilities. “You’re supported every step of the way by our Watsu certified practitioner,” says Pookie.
These benefits include reduced fatigue and stress, boosted energy levels, improved body tone, deep breathing, harmonized sleep patterns and improved circulation and joint movement. She also recommends the Watsu for experienced spa-goers. In this calm, warming environment, you experience deep physical and mental relaxation, and your aches and pains are reduced, using Shiatsu pressure points, gentle stretching and the absence of gravity to help you find balance in your life. She recommends the spa’s Holistic massage for first-time visitors, which uses oil and soft-to-medium pressure to address stress and related physical concerns. She also suggests asking your therapist to focus on areas that need extra work. Massages are by far the most popular treatments at Naka Spa. It starts with a body brushing, followed by a massage that focuses on areas that need detoxification, especially the hips and thighs. Favourites include the Hydra Memory has been an ongoing favourite for several years. Also popular is the D-Age Renewal, a body-firming, anti-ageing treatment that uses Kamani oil to restore your body’s elasticity and firmness. The Detoxifying massage reduces toxins and puffiness and stimulates sluggish immune systems. In the Hot Stone Elements massage, heated, smooth, flat stones are placed at key points along your body with essential oils to focus on your body’s vital energy centre. The effects are both emotional and physical.
Other massages include the one-hour Cellulite Refiner and; Cellulite Remodeller, a hot/cold cellulite treatment designed to eliminate fatty deposits and contour and firm
your body, and Vital Leg Detoxifying relieves pains from circulation problems due to fluid retention and a sense of heaviness. In this treatment, essential oils reduce swelling, revive your vitality and provide a prolonged feeling of being toned and firmed. Another favourite is the Intense Muscle Release/Swedish massage, which eases tight, stressed, and aching muscles due to heavy exercise or being chained to your desk for too many hours. It features Swedish and cross muscle fibre techniques, using stretching and draining and essential oils for their beneficial effects on circulation. Black pepper, rosemary, and ginger are used to warm your muscles and disperse lactic acid buildup, which causes stiffness and pain. The spa’s Signature Rituals, featuring the Naka Well-Being Collection, also include a number of interesting massages, starting with the Aromasoul Oriental – a massage based on Tui Na, an ancient form of Chinese medicine. It is designed to rebalance your body’s meridians' energy flow and improve blood circulation and muscle contractions while restoring physical balance. This massage uses rolling, stretching, and finger pressure to prepare you for anti-cellulite and remodelling treatments. The Aromasoul Mediterranean “recreates and interprets the strength and delicacy of waters”. It uses slow, rhythmic pumping and long, flowing strokes to encourage fluid movement in your body and enhance a deep sense of relaxation. “Great when combined with treatments for heavy legs, cellulite, and detoxifying your system.” The Aromasoul Indian massage, inspired by Ayurveda medicine, creates a sensory journey to help you find your emotional equilibrium again. It uses circular movements to reawaken the energy in your charkas and ends with slow, static pressure along your Marma or Nadi points. The Armoasoul Arabian massage is really different. It’s based on traditions of the Berber and Tuareg tribes and is designed to help your body relax, release itself from extreme fatigue and promote the purification of the soul. The treatment begins with a cleansing, using vigorous circular movements all over your body, followed by a delicate contact phase, and ends with an application of light oil. Sao recommends the Armasoul Ritual massage for new visitors, which uses essential oils that promote physical and mental well-being. The different combinations of essential oils provide calming and detoxifying properties. For experienced spa-goers, she likes the Naka Indigenous massage. It starts with facial drainage using the spa’s Signature Indigenous Aroma scent. A heated compress is then applied to your back muscles to help you relax before choosing an essential oil blend that is massaged onto your body. Popular facials include the 60-minute Hydra Memory, a 24-hour deep hydrating treatment that provides exceptional hydration and nourishment. Effective during dry weather conditions and during and after air travel.
The Skin Resonance, designed for delicate skin, is “perfect” if you’re prone to redness, cuperose, or have fragile capillaries. The Rebalancing – a purifying and balancing facial – features a deep cleansing to leave your skin fresh and toned. The most popular wraps are the Virgin Coconut Body Polish and an 80-minute Aromatic Moor Mud wrap, rich in natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which is applied to your body to release sore muscles, aches and pains. “Ideal for chronic pain and fatigue.”
When it comes to detoxification, it’s the Honey Mango, which uses local, not heated or treated honey that retains all its antibiotic enzymes, and when combined
with a sweet-smelling mango massage and raw sugar, it leaves your skin smooth and hydrated. The Virgin Coconut Body Polish uses fresh virgin coconut oil to provide a Spa Naka also offers two unique three-hour spa journeys – Thai Temptation, which features an ancient secret Thai herbal steam and Thai scrub, a full body Thai massage, and ends with a secret Thai facial treatment. Its Bath Collections include Pink Himalaya Salt scrub, which delivers pure ingredients while smoothing your body; Homali Jasmine Rice body scrub to brighten your skin and remove dullness; Ofure Bathing, which mimics the Traditional Japanese Bathing Ritual, and includes The Ageless Beauty helps to rejuvenate often-neglected areas of your body with the spa’s Fit & Firm body massage, which breaks up fatty tissue in your body prone to cellulite. It uses a firming oil and an anti-cellulite cream to eliminate surplus body fat while strengthening your immune system. The treatment includes full-body steam and deep clean body scrub, an anti-cellulite massage, deep tissue massage and anti-cellulite creams. It also has three Ayurvedic wellness treatments. Each begins with an Ayurvedic consultation to determine your dosha or body type. It is performed by experienced Ayurvedic doctors and masseurs. https://youtu.be/SK6p1xjlL5U MoreNaka Island Phuket Pix The 80-minute Abhyanga massage uses warm herbal oils blended for your dosha to cleanse and detoxify your body. In the Shirodhara, a 50-minute treatment, warm medicated oil is poured over your “third eye” chakra or forehead – great for calming, reducing insomnia, stress and fatigue. The treatment includes a complimentary Ayurvedic herbal tea designed specifically for your dosha. In the Indian Head massage, oil is poured on your scalp and hair to rejuvenate and create a deep sense of calm with a head and shoulder massage. It relieves mental and physical stress, cleans blockages and relieves emotional pressures. Pookie like Facial Yoga for its total rejuvenation, which uses jade stone to bring beauty, balance, and vibrancy to your entire self; and Sacred Lotus to reduce the effects of ageing. Bright Brace Face Perfect also uses a French green clay mask to draw out toxins and sebum and Bamboo Tears to remineralize, calm, and refine your pores. Spa packages include the two-hour Sacred Nature, an anti-ageing treatment for your body and face, using organic products formulated to protect your DNA; the Tranquility Aromatic Ritual, a hydrating and anti-stress face and body treatment that relieves tension and smooths and tones your skin; and Embrace, a romantic package for couples to de-stress, re-energize and indulge together. It features a milk bath or Thai Herbal steam, body scrub and a massage.
The spa has a long list of traditional body treatments, including Prana Vital Energy to erase fatigue; Inner Reset Ritual to detox your mind and body; Warm Bamboo and Abma and body contouring are used to sculpt your figure. Others include Posture Rescue, Core Release; Mohorn Indigo Healing and Golden Calm. Tropical gardens surround Naka Resort’s 67 villas with panoramic views of Phang Bay, limestone cliffs and surrounding islands. The outside is made of rendered
brick, featuring curving surfaces coloured and earth-toned light brown to blend into the secluded tropical surroundings. All villas offer private plunge pools and open-air bathrooms. The bathrooms include soak tubs and which double as a steam room. Natural wood is used throughout. There are six different types of accommodation, ranging from the 350 sqm Topical and Beachfront villas to the 1,600 sqm Royal Horizon Pool villa. There are also two 450 sqm villas – the Tropical pool and sea view pool – and three 550 sqm beachfront pool villas. The Tropical pool villas feature large windows and sliding doors, a private garden, a private sala entrance and beds with sheer white canopies. The Beachfront villas are only a few steps from the island’s beaches and come with vaulted ceilings, wood floors, area rugs, a covered sala, a large outdoor area and even a sunken deck. The Seaview and sunrise pool villas are located on either side of the Royal Horizon pool villa. The Seaview pool villas also offer great views of the Andaman Sea and a private pool, a covered sala and a day bed. A private walkway connects. The most expensive is the gated Royal Horizon pool villa, located on a hilltop, bordered by a landscaped garden, featuring a sunken dining area, a 546 sqm Infinity pool, and a pool deck wraps around the villa’s two front pavilions and a lounging area. Inside, there’s a six-person dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, a sunroom with lounges and even a spa treatment area with two treatment beds.
Naka Island has two main dining options – the Tonsai and My Grill. Tonsai is just steps away from the sea and offers air-conditioned intimate indoor dining in a high
ceiling dining room that extends over three levels. It also offers outdoor dining with great views of the sea. Its menu includes international cuisine and traditional Thai favourites, using local produce, organic vegetables and regional fish. Breakfast features an extensive buffet, where hot items are customized in show kitchens. Lunch is à la carte, with a menu that includes sandwiches, pizza and Thai favourites. Popular dishes include Tom Kamin pla, ped plalo tod horapa – marinated duck with five spices fried in a Thai sweet basil sauce; pooh nim pad pong garee – stirfriend, soft shell crab in yellow curry powder, egg, onions; and green curry seafood pizza. At My Grill, there’s open-air dining on the hillside, with shimmering sea views. Guests love the sensation of dining and being surrounded by water at head level. It also offers the opportunity of dining in an open space within the pool area. My Grill’s menu features fresh local seafood, imported steaks and locally sourced produce and herbs harvested from the resort’s gardens. Dishes are prepared in a wood-fire oven on an open flame charcoal grill or a tandoori oven. Favourite dishes include turmeric and coriander prawns, char-grilled Australian beef salad, Phuket lobster, teriyaki-glazed gindara, grilled tenderloin, and scallops marinated in sweet chilli and vodka with orange fennel and citrus herb dressing.
Soneva Kiri Thailand’s Barefoot Experience “When our guests arrive, we tell them to take off their shoes and put them in a bag. Having no shoes and no news is very healthy and grounding,” said Mark Sands, Soneva’s area spa director for Thailand and Viet Nam. “A lot of our competitors apply a dress code. At Soneva, you don’t have to wear shoes or trousers anywhere. It helps our guests feel at home without the worries and obligations of their everyday lives.” Soneva Kiri, located on an unspoiled island, is an hour away by private plane from Bangkok. Its barefoot philosophy is based on a belief that it’s possible to have wellness and luxury without sacrificing sustainability. “We’re all about space, privacy and showing how sustainable materials can have a great aesthetic. “We avoid teak and favour bamboo and eucalyptus – both fast-growing trees – that we grow in our plantations. They’re just as beautiful as rarer materials. We use natural woods without any varnish or oil, and we keep unprotected, recycled wood…usually stunning with a beautiful patina. “We believe in bringing out the beauty of nature. It’s what sets us apart.”
Sovena describes its style as comfortable, practical, functional, fun and quirky – with big comfortable day beds with removable fabric covers for easy washing. Soneva Kiri is definitely off the beaten track on Thailand’s fourth largest – but least populated island, Koh Hood. But if you’re looking for unspoiled beauty, authentic Thai experiences and organic food – with an environmental approach – it’s an experience you’ll always remember. You definitely won’t find it crowded. It has only 35 large pool villas located at beach level, hillsides and hilltops that overlook the Gulf of Thailand. All come with chic furnishings, personal electric buggies and a Mr. or Mrs. Friday private butler. There’s a large swimming pool at the main bar and a restaurant in the centre of the resort. There’s also an open-air Cinema Paradiso, homemade chocolate, an ice cream parlour, a high-tech observatory, a mantra ray-shaped children’s den, and a treetop. 1N4YCEPCWCQ Touring Soneva Kiri wl7zqTLga84 Soneva Kiri Guests can dine outside. One of the restaurants is located in the trees – with a cable car for guests and a zip wire for waiters. Everyone loves the treetop dining pod, where you’re hoisted high into the jungle canopy. Dishes include authentic Thai food made from ingredients personally selected every day at the market. The restaurant is built on stilts over a mangrove forest. In the evening, it is lit by torches and fireflies. It does not serve imported water but offers six kinds of purified water, each with a different healing crystal. The Dining Room offers great views and fine dining with a changing daily menu, reflecting the tradition of slow food and organic ingredients grown or caught locally. Dishes are baked in a tandoor, wood-fired, or hot or cold smoke ovens. So Delicious features light offerings – cold cuts and other deli favourites. There’s also an ice cream parlour with 60 flavours and a Chocolate Room featuring slivers of chocolate from 95% cocoa slabs. Its climatically-controlled wine cellar, The Subterranean, has 500 labels with a sommelier on hand to help you choose and offer tastings. “In our concept of luxury,” said Mark, “a fresh salad from our organic garden is more appealing and certainly healthier. And our bathrooms may not have marble or gold taps, but our guests can take a shower while gazing at a full moon.” Soneva Kiri’s spa is located in the middle of the beach villas toward the resort’s main facilities—without the rush and noise --- with views of the beach and the surrounding jungle.
Spa reception is large and open, with day beds, wooden furniture and aqua green cushions. The first thing you notice is the bamboo structure and sustainable wood that merges into the surroundings. The spa has eight treatment rooms – three with a view of the sea and five with natural surroundings and jungle. In addition to the treatment rooms, the spa has a salon, a consultation room and a Watsu pool. The resort’s gym and wellness pavilion open up to view the arrival jetty and bay.
As a Six Senses Spa, it offers “an intuitive mix of science and human awareness, where our high-tech and high-touch approach defines a service crafted around the individual”. Its personalized services include an Ayurvedic doctor, yoga teacher, fitness, Pilates, Watsu and destination spa-style programs. “Integrative wellness is a major difference in which we use technology to enhance our Ayurvedic doctor’s consultations and provide detailed biomarker analysis and natural advice on your needs. “A scientific approach to treatments, fitness and lifestyle in an easy-to-understand format. In addition, Fusionetics are used to provide fitness programs, for example, whether you’re recovering from an injury or just trying to get in shape.” Special treatments include Watsu, Thai Herbal Massage, Abhyanga and Shirodhara. The Watsu combines gentle stretching and massage as you float in warm water, combining the therapeutic benefits of warm water with elements from zen, shiatsu, yoga, and meditation. Acupressure works on your meridian lines while a heated herbal compress improves Prana flow, normalizing your blood pressure and eliminating impurities. The Thai Herbal massage is a traditional Thai massage form that uses classic Thai Hearting Herbal packs. The Himalayan Singing Bowl massage balances your body’s Chakras and restores harmony by the healing sound of waves and the vibrations of the singing bowls, which are placed close to the area of concern. The Lymphatic Drainage massage is a detoxifying treatment that uses wave-like movements to stimulate your lymphatic system. Other popular massages include The Deep Tissue, Energizer, Holistic, Let Lag, Thai Herbal and Indian Head. The Abhyanga is a traditional Indian synchronized full-body massage known as “the four-handed massage”. It’s designed to liquidify toxins and induce relaxation while normalizing your blood pressure and eliminating impurities. The Shirodhara is a full-body oil application, followed by lukewarm herbal oil poured in an even stream on your forehead to soothe and revitalize your mind and body. Great for alleviating stress and disturbed sleep. It’s also known as an antiageing treatment that improves memory and sleep patterns. The Kata Vasti is a back treatment. Medicated oils are poured on your lower back, promoting muscle and ligament strength to support your spine. https://youtu.be/53PcD3USaug More Soneva Kiri Pix Other body treatments include Chi Nei Tsang, designed to detoxify and stimulate your digestive system. It draws on Taoist traditions and works directly over your abdominal area to release energy blockages. There’s also a Yogic Intestinal Cleanse,
which uses Laghoo Shankja Prakshalana and combined fine specific yoga postures while drinking six to eight glasses of salt water. Soneva also offers Reiki and a personal consultation with an in-house doctor to determine your dosha type and advice on treatments and dietary needs. There is also personal fitness training, Fit Bal Detox, Flying Yoga, Pilates, Six Senses Meditation and Yoga Nidra meditation. Its wellness screening program provides detailed wellness consultation, using non-invasive biomarker technology to screen your body. Biomarkers, blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability and body composition analyses are used to establish what lifestyle, fitness and motivation changes you need to make to improve your wellness. The lifestyle guide includes nutritional advice based on the mineral and vitamin deficiencies identified in your screening. While the focus of the spa is on wellness, Soneva Kiri has a full range of pampering treatments. The 24K Golden Age-Defying by Subtle Energies is its most popular facial, a big favourite with Asian women. Also popular are the Anti-Ageing, which uses silk cocoons to firm and tone your skin. The cocoons contain 12 amino acids to improve your skin’s elasticity, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin. It works for all skin types. Then there is the Nourishing and Purifying facial, a deep-cleansing treatment ideal for eliminating blocked pores and skin blemishes, using flower essences, active clays, and lavender, lemon and tea tree extracts. The Anti-Ageing uses silk cocoons to firm and tone your skin. The 2.5-hour Romance Journey starts with a Thai Herbal steam, followed by a Six Senses Signature massage, a personalized facial and a Six Senses product to take home. It includes herbal steam, a Six Senses Signature massage, a personalized facial, and ends with a footbath and a scalp massage. Other pampering treatments include the Sensory Spa Journey, in which two therapists work in harmony to create a relaxing experience.
Other popular treatments include The Oriental, Thai Herbal and Ayurvedic Experience, a combination of Abhyanga and Shirodhara massages. The Oriental is a stress-relieving treatment that combines a full-body massage with acupressure and stretching techniques. Other massages include the Drainage, a detoxifying treatment that uses wave-like movements to stimulate your lymphatic system, improve circulation, and boost your immune system. “Ideal for after travelling or during detox.” There’s also a pregnancy massage designed to reduce swelling, prevent insomnia, reduce muscle cramps and back pain and soothe your nervous system. Signature wraps include the Body Refiner, which uses Jojoba and white clay to exfoliate; Body Toner, a balancing wrap that helps your skin improves circulation; and Detoxifies and exfoliates your skin after long travelling. Favourite wrap is the locally inspired Detox Coffee and its most popular scrub, the Coffee and Coconut, a detoxifying, anti-cellulite treatment created from organic and homemade products.
Scrubs range from 75 to 45 minutes and include the popular Six Senses Signature scrubs, including Calming – a jojoba scrub infuses with chamomile and lavender essences. Great for sensitive skin and the Nourishing and Purifying scrubs, great for day or maturing skin and a deep clean. Six Senses Signature scrubs also include Clarity – ideal for combination or oily skin, using crushed coconut shell with orange and Rosemary essences and Vitality, a rice grain scrub. Other body treatments include the Detoxifier – ideal after long travelling periods; Natural Sunburn Soother; Chakra Balancing to release blockages and improve the flow of energy throughout your body; and the Yogic Intentional Cleanse, which uses a natural and non-invasive way by combining five specific yoga postures and drinking six to eight glasses of water. Asian women also like Flying yoga, while Westerners prefer the Ayurvedic treatments and Oriental massage. Lisa Marki, spa manager, suggests something relaxing and simple for first-time visitors to the spa, such as a Holistic massage or an Oriental massage. “Even better if you allow us to do a wellness screening. This would enable us to personalize recommendations as to what your body needs. Allow our experts to guide us.” Experienced spa-goers, he says, should try something different. “Be brave and try Watsu, Ayurvedic Experience. Better still, allow us to do a wellness screening, get you on a program for a few days, and show you the postscreening improvements with actual measurable data.”