Inspired by Wat Umong, a 500-year-old cave monastery near Chiang Mai, this tunnel is positioned at the entrance to the health and fitness center.
Many rituals begin with a foot bath.
The spa's philosophy is about engaging each of the five senses in an atmosphere of calm and serenity.
Preparations of natural ingredients for the Royal Lanna Time Ritual treatment.
The ubtan body scrub is given upon heated marble tables.
The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai comprises 64 pavilions and 16 residences that look out across the rice fields and mountains of northern Thailand.
THE SPA
AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT CHIANG MA
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
A visit to Four Seasons Resort in northern Thailand offers guests a luxurious spa experience coupled with adventure travel. Where else can one go on an elephant or rice field trek, visit a hill-tribe village and be pampered at a spa, all in one celebrated day? This mountain region is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole of Asia.
There's nothing more divine than waking up beneath pure cotton sheets in a spacious pavilion overlooking the Doi Suthep Mountains. The views are magnificent, the air is fresh and clear, and the sounds of birdsong fill the air. When walking to the spa you can absorb the richness of the natural surroundings—working rice fields, waterfalls, lily ponds and gardens containing over 300 species of plants and flowers on the 20-acre (8-hectare) property. It's a tiny kingdom all its own, and the Buddhist philosophy of northern Thailand permeates throughout the grounds.
The spa itself is a three-story villa with magnificent views designed in the ancient Lanna style. There are seven private suites, including a palatial penthouse suite, and stepped terraces equipped with deep tubs for body soaking. A vigorous day at the spa might include ashtanga and Iyengar yoga classes, Thai boxercise, body toning workouts, Pilates and stretching classes, not to mention meditation and qi gong. In the evening, a fireplace and fresh ginger tea offer warmth, as do a range of herbal aromatherapy steam rooms and rain shower massage beds.
Treatments are inspired by indigenous northern Thai healing practices combined with ayurvedic oil massages, natural body wraps and scrubs enriched with clays, spices and ground rice. The samunprai, a Thai herbal heat energizer, is a signature treatment. A hot pack filled with rejuvenating freshly-picked local herbs is steamed and placed on the body to remove toxins and tension. Another beautiful treatment is the Herbal Blend Ritual, a four-hour indulgence focusing on the use of rejuvenating Thai herbs in various applications including herbal steam, herbal body polish, herbal wrap, herbal bath and a herbal oil body massage.
Recently added to the menu is the ch'i nei tsang internal massage that works to unblock unresolved energy and emotions in the abdominal area. Another interesting addition is the Ancient Arts Awakener that begins with a chakra-balancing sea salt foot bath followed by a reiki treatment and an ayurvedic shirodhara, not to mention a head massage, Thai stretches and a private herbal steam bath.
The traditional Thai massage given in the Prae Room is an ideal treat for anyone in search of inner balance.
The stunning Lan Chang Room has the feeling of a Thai temple and is the place to rinse off your scrubs, herbs and oils.
Private deep-soaking bathtubs are set within semi-enclosed sala terraces.
A time to relax amidst the trappings of a traditional Thai palace. The three-level spa is designed in the ancient Lanna style of northern Thai temples.
SALUS PER AQUA SPA
AT THE FARM AT SAN BENITO
LIPA CITY, THE PHILIPPINES
A moment of quiet meditation in the Lagoon Lounge is an integral part of the wellness experience at The Farm.
The Stone Massage treatment uses crystals and stones demonstrating The Farm's unique holistic approach.
The Philippines is an Asian spa destination with its own indigenous treatments that have developed organically from traditional healing methodologies. Their introduction to the spa treatment room has been relatively recent, and The Farm at San Benito has been instrumental in taking this heritage and setting new trends for the future. Realizing the importance of nourishing body and mind to sustain overall wellness, their philosophy is simple: stay in tune and in balance with natural laws, and emotional wellbeing and good health will be yours.
Set in tranquil gardens overlooking a delightful panorama of forest and mountain, The Farm is rich in natural abundance with a slight native vibe. Accommodation ranges from villas to rustic sulu terrace suites, modeled after traditional rice barns in the southern Philippines, so there are options for all budgets and styles. The restaurant (named 85/15 to reflect the ratio of raw to cooked foods) serves up exceptional vegetarian and other dishes—and is considered an integral part of any stay.
Detoxification and rejuvenation are at the heart of The Farm's Salus Per Aqua spa. On hand is a team of experts including Western-trained medical doctors, chiropractors, fitness experts, living food chefs, colonic therapists, meditation gurus and organic gardeners. Live blood analysis and iridology are just some of the diagnostics practiced, while holistic medicine, naturopathy, colon detoxification, ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other alternative therapies are fundamental to most of the treatments. A number of individually tailored programs—from detox and cleansing, to courses to quit smoking or eliminate disease or stress—are also offered. Recent additions are facial enhancement and Botox procedures.
One can't travel to the Philippines without trying the locally inspired hilot (a sensual Filipino massage) to get you into the swing of things. It is the most popular healing practice at The Farm. The result of thousands of years of cultural influences, it is given by a traditional massage therapist known as a hilotsa pilay. Warmed strips of banana leaves dipped in coconut are applied to various parts of the body to reveal which areas may be blocked or need more attention. According to Dr Ronnie Royo, president of the Natural Health Foundation of the Philippines, this traditional massage was learned from the ancient Chinese and is similar to acupressure and chiropractic methods with Swedish massage strokes. We also suggest the hilot hapolos, a scrub made from powdered cacao and fresh coconut cream with a warm coconut milk bath and massage under the stars.
Outdoor bathing