the tropical spa
Asian secrets of health, beauty and relaxation
By Sophie Benge
Photos by Luca lnvernizzi Tettoni
PERIPLUS
The exclusive one-villa spa at the Ibah in Bali is spacious and decorated like a luxurious home, just as the owners of this enchanting hotel wanted. As a result. it offers one of the most rarefied personal spa experiences in Bali.
Published by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.,
with editorial offices at 61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12, Singapore 534167
Copyright© 1999 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd
Copyright photos @ 1999 Luca lnvernizzi Tettoni
First paperback edition published in 2003
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher.
LCC Card No. 2005295839
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0672-7 (ebook)
Important Notice
The recipes and techniques outlined in The Tropical Spa are intended for cosmetic and relaxation use only and are not meant to replace diagnosis and treatment by a medical practitioner. Before using any of these recipes, author and publisher recommend consulting a physician. All the recipes have been tested and are considered safe, but since some people have more sensitive skin than others and since the user's actual recipe preparation is beyond the control of the author or publisher, author and publisher accept no liability with regard to the use of recipes or techniques contained in this book.
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Printed in Singapore
One of the appealing aspects of the Tropical Spa is the floral heaven that goes with it. Frangipani and Jasmine blooms are never out of sight in Asia and their aromas must be among the sweetest of all tropical flowers.
contents
8
The Tropical Spa Experience Living the spa life: an introduction to the roots of Asian beauty, the history of traditional, natural treatments and therapies, and how they are offered in a tropical spa setting.
22
Top Tropical Spas Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, 24 Banyan Tree Spa Bintan, 26 The Source at Begawan Giri Estate, 28 Mandara Spa at The Chedi, 32 Chiva-Som, 36 Mandara Spa at The Datat, 40 The Spa at Jimbaran, Four Seasons Resort, 42 Spa at Bali Hyatt, 46 Mandara Spa at the lbah, 50 Nirwana Spa at Le Meridien Bali, 54 The Nusa Dua Spa, 56 The Oriental Spa, 60 The Ptta Maha Private Vtlla Spa, 64 Spa at Hotel Tugu, 66
70
Asian Health and Beauty Secrets Body Conscious, 72 Rites of Massage, 96 Mind- Body- Spirit, 110 Face Value, 118 Hair Story, 128 Feet First, 138
148
Asian Spa Cuisine A Kickstart to the Day, 150 Simple Food, 152 A Natural Feast, 154 Tasteful Thai, 156 Dining Light, 158 Liquid Assets, 160 Herbal Tonics, 162 Cooking with Condiments, 164
166
Natural Spa Ingredients, 166 Natural Spa Products, 172 Resource and Spa Directories, 175
The Bali Padma uses traditional stonecarving throughout the spa premises.
the tropical spa experience
'Spa' is the Millennium buzzword for health, beauty and relaxation; it is hip in holiday-speak and a mantra for the growing band of worshippers at the altar of self-preservation. Yet despite its current popularity in the lives of trendsetters, jet setters and health fanatics everywhere, the 'spa' is not a new stop on the road to wellbeing. It is a concept as old as the hills it springs from, rewritten for the contemporary scene.
In broad terms, this new image has developed to meet the prevailing mood for an holistic approach to life. In today's era of 'mindfulness', the pursuit of vanity and pampering is happily fused with a desire for inner health. Destination spas, mushrooming on every continent set out to offer some solutions for those who want to look good, feel good and rejuvenate their bodies as well as their souls.
This is an extension of the original spa concept which, although it has existed since Roman times, was only formalized in 17th-century Europe out of an understanding for the curative powers of water. The spa, such as the eponymous resort in Belgium or the historical Baden-Baden in Germany, originated as a clinical, get-well centre for curing all manner of diseases from arthritis to infertility. Rigorous routines, in often less than indulgent locations, involved drinking or bathing in the spring-fed spa waters or walking barefoot in the winter dew at dawn.
Today, the spa philosophy has moved on from the pain-is-gain approach and away from a curative emphasis towards a preventive one.
And while there are country by country variations in the spa experience (for example, the emphasis in the United States is not in any way self-indulgent), the cutting edge is the Orient with its focus on spiritual harmony