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pas are no longer intimidating cold places of suffering – instead
they are now inviting havens for all generations and both sexes.
They have undergone a revolution in a relatively short space of
time. People’s expectations of what they can achieve by visiting a
spa have also changed – the globalisation of the spa concept has
swept through the beauty, health and travel industry at a rapid
pace. For one thing, spa lovers are increasingly willing to travel
longer distances for their spa ‘fix’ – eager to combine treatments
ancient and modern with spas in spectacular new locations. Even
those who wouldn’t consider themselves ‘spa junkies’ are looking for
unique and exciting spa opportunities as an essential part of their
holiday plans.
The use of spa facilities and indulgence in treatments has finally
crossed the boundary between work and play. Wentworth Club in Surrey
offers one of the finest Championship Golf Courses in the UK for
corporate events, in conjunction with an all-round one day Golf,
Tennis, Spa and Gym experience. Around 30% of spa users at Wentworth
Club are male, indulging in Volcanic Stone therapy, reflexology,
massages and pedicures.
Modern travellers are extremely knowledgeable about what goes on in
a spa, and what they personally want to experience from it. When
people are on vacation they are looking for relaxation and stress
reduction, as well as an up-lifting experience that is far removed
from their daily routine. A spa treatment goes a long way to
enhancing self-esteem, and often results in clients looking and
feeling more alive, and more attractive. Today’s luxury holiday
travellers are extremely sophisticated and they have huge
expectations in terms of their holiday and spa experiences. They are
looking for unique experiences in new and interesting environments.
Our research in this field here at Wentworth Travel sets us apart as
true luxury spa specialists.
For those who need a short rejuvenating break without a long flight,
there are a number of superlative Spas popping up all over Europe.
At the Anassa in Cyprus Thalasso-Therapy treatments use sea water to
restore wellbeing; at the Mardavall in Mallorca they have recently
introduced Indian Ayurvedic treatments, and also offer acupuncture
with a specialist Chinese doctor. Near Lake Garda in Northern Italy,
The Palazzo Arzaga Golf Resort and Spa have converted part of their
15th century monastery into a Saturnia Spa offering a range of
treatments in a beautiful countryside location. The focus is on
wellness, relaxation and weight-loss. On the shores of Lake Geneva,
the famous Clinique La Praire offers leading edge beauty treatments
and cosmetic surgery as well as a unique way of reversing the aging
process. Their “Rejuvenation Treatment” stimulates both body and
mind by injecting new cells from a tested substance created from
foetal sheep liver.
Stateside, American five-star hotels consider a spa essential to the
fabric of their resort or city property. Turnberry Isle Resort and
Club in Florida has recently made a $10 million investment into
their new Spa. This money has gone towards the creation of a
staggering 50 treatment rooms where massages, facials, scrubs, wraps
and a host of tropical and aboriginal specials are on offer.
Turnberry has created a Fabulous Golf Learning Centre which offers a
programme combining golf tuition with spa stretching sessions using
a state of the art LPG machine which focuses a golfer’s body to
enhance the individual player’s game.
Boca Raton Resort, also in Florida, currently has 23 treatment rooms
with a further 23 planned for the future. This Spa is modelled on
the Alhambra Palace in Granada the high-ceilinged Great Hall
provides a beautiful bathing area with showers, aromatic baths and
individual Jacuzzis. Sandy Lane in Barbados has been totally
rebuilt, with the addition of a multi million dollar spa covering
45,000 square feet. ‘The Ritual’ – which is their signature
treatment, is an exotic combination of volcanic hot stone therapy,
detoxifying mineral treatment and holistic massage.
Further south, the Spa at the Mexican resort of Las Ventanas Al
Paraiso on the Los Cabos Peninsular draws its inspiration from
Native American culture, using Aztec and Mayan influences.
Experience your treatments from a spa suite with a private pool,
fireplace, jacuzzi and terrace, or alternatively take your treatment
at the Marine Pavilion and be lulled into a state of relaxation by
the sound of crashing waves.
Arguably, some of the most exceptional spas in the world can still
be found in Asia. In this enchanting corner of the world exotic
ancient cultures and therapies diffuse into everyday life, and wild
plants and herbs are revered for their healing properties. Chiva
Som, whose name literally means “haven of life” has often been voted
the best destination spa in the world. Here the whole detoxifying
experience is taken so seriously that much of the food consumed by
guests is organically grown in the spa’s own garden. A more unusual
feature for an Asian spa, Chiva Som offers a hydrotherapy suite with
massage baths, jet showers and flotation tanks. Similarly at the
Ananda in India the Spa experience encompasses every part of your
holiday influencing everything from the food you eat to the time and
amount of sleep you take. This spa, situated high in the Himalayan
Mountains aims to educate people so that they embrace what they have
learned during their spa experience and adapt this to their everyday
lives. Considering the focus is ‘happiness and self-contentment’
this offers a true antidote to the high speed Western lifestyle.
Whether you wish to experience a relaxing short break, a tailored
spa programme, an invigorating resort stay, a pampering rejuvenation
or a celebration trip – be it holistic or hydrotherapy based,
Ayurvedic or Oriental therapy based, a full cosmetic programme or a
simple escape from life – we can conclude that today’s Spa goer
really, truly is spoilt for choice.
For all your tailor-made, Worldwide Spa Reservations, contact
Wentworth Travel on 01344 844622.
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