Healing Waters Spa is located an hour north of Cairns in a timber pavilion at the end of a fragrant pathway. The primary architect here is nature, brilliantly enhanced by a stunningly designed space through which guests and staff flow as naturally as a gentle breeze through the rainforest. Vast walls of glass fill every room with fresh air and natural light, filtered through a geometric tapestry of palms, ferns and flowers. The earthy tones of natural wood, stone floors and chocolate or magenta-coloured lounges, contrasts stunningly with the myriad shades of green foliage, visible at every turn. In a spacious, slate-floored couples suite, an over-sized shower rose cascades water from the ceiling into a sunken bath, just a few feet from the rainforest. For guest's aural pleasure, a well amplified, natural symphony is kindly provided by thousands of insects, birds, animals and rustling leaves.
Treatments using Li'Tya products, based on native berries, herbs and plants, draw on the knowledge of Aboriginal people to nurture and heal, while treatments using Sodashi products, based on aromatic plant essences, focus on achieving a holistic wellness. Naturally, all treatments have been designed to bestow pleasure and relaxation, while leaving your skin feeling enriched, energised and glowing with health.
Australian spa products good enough to eat are used here.
The surrounding forest and light are almost a design element in this spa, ensuring that all who enter are soaked in nature's healing calm.
Simple touches add to the delights provided here, from fresh iced teas to the energy cleansing quartz crystals and miniature wooden coolamons (a basin-shaped dish traditionally made and used by Aborigines) adorning each treatment table. The tropical atmosphere is relaxed, warm and open, while the environment is exotic and exciting. It's the kind of place you will love to revisit and remember when you need a little escape from reality-i'm back there right now.
Guests are pampered with Vichy showers, de-stressing baths, facials and detox treatments, using all-natural products from the all-Australian brands Li'Tya and Sodashi.
ESPA'S NURTURING AND GENEROUS AMBIENCE IS OBVIOUS IN THE LITTLE THINGS
Espa, The Reef House, Palm Cove, Queensland
Discreetly obscured by abundant tropical gardens and gigantic melaleuca gums, the seaside village of Palm Cove in North Queensland emanates a relaxed yet sophisticated ambience. It's as if everyone feels slightly smug about their good fortune to be here. Only a 30-minute drive north of Cairns, Palm Cove is the domain of a growing number of hotel and resort spas, each nurturing an individual character and offering exquisite experiences in beauty, health and wellbeing. With a handful of glamorous spas scattered along the beachfront, the locally bestowed title of "Spa Capital of Australia" fits well.
Thanks to some thoughtful planning, no building here is taller than the coconut palms lining the long, white sandy beach. This ensures that the soul-inspiring view you'll discover from the jetty opposite Espa, is of rainforest-covered mountains sweeping down to meet the sparkling aqua of the Coral Sea.
Framed by fuchsia, origami-like flowers of bougainvillea vines and fragrant frangipani trees, Espa's home is a whitewashed, timber-shuttered building beside a cascading waterfall in the grounds of the Reef House Hotel. Once the home of a brigadier, the hotel's design and service, along with touches such as candlelit corridors and an honour bar adorned with primitive art, reflect the romance of a bygone era.
The casual elegance of the languidly exotic spa could be described as "plantation style meets shabby chic."
Surrounded by tropical blooms, verdant foliage and gentle waterfalls, Espa is the perfect Eden where many a tired soul finds rest and healing.
Enriched by 10 years' experience in creating upmarket apes worldwide, the Espa team now offers design consultancy services that aim at enhancing the environment as part of the total spa experience.
Terracotta-tiled floors, carved wooden candle mounts, white timber furniture and the spicy aroma of Espa's tropical blend of essential oils permeate the five spacious treatment rooms and relaxation areas.
Espa features Li'Tya spa products, which integrate precious qualities of the Australian earth with its native plants and spirit. Treatments offered combine the wisdom of Aboriginal spirituality and healing methods with aromatherapy and herbalist principles to produce powerful experiences for body and soul. Espa's signature treatment, the Mala Mayi (clan food-Arnhem Land) is a luscious full body, rejuvenation affair. An individually designed treatment, guests choose between reharmonising, rejuvenating or detoxifying blends of clay, salt and oil, which are then used to cleanse, exfoliate, massage and energise.
Treatments begin with a soothing footbath and the indigenous ritual of "smudging," where bark and flowers are burnt (the effect is like incense) to cleanse a space of negative energies and centre a person's spirit into the room. Espa's nurturing and generous ambience is obvious in the little things, like a pot of fresh tea and an invitation to relax in a peaceful lounge area, post pampering. It all contributes to a deeply satisfying spa experience.
In January 2004, Espa was recognised as one of the "Best 100 Spas of the World" by Harpers and Queens London.
LEAVE YOUR SHOES AND YOUR CARES AT THE DOOR OF THIS SANCTUARY AND ALLOW YOUR SENSES FREE REIN
The Spa of Peace and Plenty, Dunk Island, Queensland
Beyond the coconut palms that fringe this lush tropical island, hidden within a tranquil rainforest garden, an airy, Balinese-style timber pavilion is waiting to warmly welcome you. A footbridge leads the way to the doors of this Paradise, which is also the place to leave your cares and allow your senses free rein.
A nurturing energy infuses every aspect of this thoughtfully operated spa, thanks to a caring, professional staff. While your feet are gently washed, sit back with a glass of fresh strawberry, lime and orange-infused water and drink in the tranquility. The spa's unique signature scent, an exotic combination of lime, blood orange patchouli, rose, ylang ylang jasmine and geranium fills the air, leading your senses on an enriching journey of renewal.
Dunk Island can be reached by light aircraft (45 minutes) or coach and launch (2 hours) from Cairns International Airport. The original inhabitants of Dunk Island, the Djiru Aboriginal tribe, named it Coonanglebah-the isle of peace and plenty, a moniker that still fits. The fertile environment provides the fruit and flowers found in the spa while the ocean's presence is reflected in many of the delights on the spa menu. An inspired range of treatments specially designed for the tropics is available, including the Mermaid's Song, an exotic body polish which leaves your skin softened to perfection. A crushed pearl peel is first used to polish the body before it is deeply relaxed in an oil and Dead Sea salt-infused bath. A fragrant toning mist is then applied to the body and a moisturising milk massaged into the skin, giving it a radiant glow. The treats continue afterwards, with a refreshing sorbet served in the meditation lounge to all guests, who are then invited to linger longer in one of the many inviting relaxation nooks.
The Ayurvedic treatment Shirodhara can induce a calm, blissful state of serenity and expanded relaxation.