Combining a spa visit with a holiday is high on the “to do” list for travellers wanting to enjoy healthy eating, nutrition, exercise, beauty, relaxation and pampering. Sarah Weeks takes a break from the fast pace of life to relax and rejuvenate.

1. 23Travel Digest, September 2015
Combining a spa visit with a holiday is high on the
“to do” list for travellers wanting to enjoy healthy eating,
nutrition, exercise, beauty, relaxation and pampering.
SARAH WEEKS takes a break from the fast pace
of life to relax and rejuvenate.
elax, recharge, revive
Polynesian Spa,
Rotorua.

2. 24 September 2015, Travel Digest
T
o start off with a spa visit at one of
the world-acclaimed spas in New
Zealand, is a good idea before
heading overseas. Both the North
Island and the South Island have a range of
day spas offering spa treatments and
massage therapies. Whether it’s relaxation,
recreation, or simply improving your general
wellbeing, spa resorts and health spas offer a
chance to recharge your batteries and get
away from it all in stunning surroundings.
Typically health spas offer healthy gourmet
food, relaxing massages, rejuvenating body
scrubs, hot stone treatment, facials and
organic beauty treatments.
Rotorua in the Central North Island is
famous for its geothermal attractions where
you can literally see the seething power of
inner earth, rise to the surface. Naturally,
you’ll find a range of day spas here that
utilise the healing powers of this geothermal
heat and energy. Polynesian Spa is a
world-leading, natural mineral bathing and
luxury spa retreat on the tranquil shores of
Lake Rotorua. It’s one of New Zealand’s
oldest international spas and a must-do
attraction when visiting this region.
Channelling the geothermal marvels in its
backyard, waters from two natural springs are
fed into 26 mineral pools. The slightly acidic
Priest Spring relieves tired muscles, aches
and pains while the alkaline waters of the
Rachael Spring nourish the skin. The spa is
also a retreat for athletes with wellness rituals
to ensure maximum sports relaxation such as
hydrotherapy and reflexology.
Specialising in a range of health and
wellness treatments, Polynesian Spa’s
decadent spa therapy menu includes Aix spa
therapies, body wraps, massage and facials.
There’s also a juice bar in the hot mineral
pools and café offering a range of healthy
treats to revive the body inside and out.
With four different bathing areas, there
truly is something to suit everyone.
Combining ancient healing practices with
modern techniques, Polynesian Spa is the
perfect place to relax and enjoy nature’s
gift. The spa has totally unique geothermal
views overlooking Sulphur Bay on Lake
Rotorua and sustainably uses the health-
giving geothermal waters.
The Lake Spa is Polynesian Spa’s
premium hot mineral bathing and relaxation
area where you can enjoy tranquil bathing
and lake views in four shallow alkaline rock
pools, each with different temperatures
ranging from 36˚C to 42˚C. There’s also a
newly built acidic pool where you can enjoy
the benefits of hot mineral water. Here you’re
surrounded by revitalising native New Zealand
flora, natural rocks, the sound of two
waterfalls and a grotto. The pools are filled
with soothing alkaline mineral water leaving
your skin soft and supple. You can further
unwind on one of their five geothermally
heated recliners with a stunning backdrop of
lush and natural greenery.
Located in the South Island’s
Queenstown, high on a cliffside overlooking
the magnificent Shotover River canyon, Onsen
Hot Pools provides views over breathtaking
alpine scenery and is the perfect vantage
point to watch the Shotover Jet jetboats on
the river below. Each of their pools can
comfortably accommodate up to four adults
and are housed in private cedar-lined bathing
rooms complete with shower, changing area
and breathtaking mountain views. A unique
feature of these pools are the retractable
picture windows letting you convert your pool
room from indoor to outdoor and back again
at the touch of a button.
Onsen Hot Pools are hot and steamy on
snowy days, warm and sheltered on rainy
days, cool and shady on sunny days and
simply magical in the evenings – perfect for
individuals, couples, families and friends.
Water temperature is set according to the
day, but generally between 37.8°C on a hot
day to 39.8°C during a snow-storm. If you
have a temperature preference, tell them
when you book and your pool will be just
right when you arrive. Don’t worry about
over-heating as you can always add cold
water to your pool with the push of a button.
In summer they actually keep one of their
pools cold for those who like to cool off
from the heat.
Their pools are filled with a mixture of
mountain spring water, rainwater and lake
water. To maintain a pristine state, they
energise pure oxygen (O2
) into the water
to form ozone (O3
) with a cleaning power
a thousand times greater than chlorine.
Once the ozone reverts back to pure
oxygen, it leaves the water clean and pure.
They constantly replace pool water with
fresh water, 24 hours per day, seven days
per week.
Soaking in hot water pools has many
therapeutic effects and health benefits
with hydrotherapy playing an important
part in various medical treatments including
those for diabetes, insomnia, arthritis and
heart disease. After relaxing in Onsen Hot
Pools, you’ll enjoy a better night’s sleep,
with the heat relieving any sore muscles or
joints. Their cliff-top setting overlooking
world-class alpine scenery will also let
you experience relaxation like you’ve
never known before.
Early morning and late afternoon soak at the Polynesian Spa.
SPAS

3. Layana Resort & Spa
272 Moo 3 Saladan,Phra-Ar Beach,
Koh Lanta,Krabi 81150
T: +66(0) 7560 7100, F: +66(0) 7560 7199
E:resa@layanaresort.com
Australia Office
Complete Travel Marketing
Level 3,194 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
T: +61(0) 2 9018 9322
E:sales@ctmarketing.com.au
Discerning guests staying at the adults----only Layana Resort & Spa, experience
luxurious accommodation and self----indulgent services.
Staying at Layana Resort & Spa is like stepping into a world of pure relaxation,
a world dedicated to only one person…you
www.layanaresort.com
Where the world revolves around you

4. 26 September 2015, Travel Digest
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat,
Tallebudgera Valley,
Queensland, Australia
Located in the Hinterland of Queensland’s Gold Coast, Gwinganna
Lifestyle Retreat combines organic living, spa, movement and relaxation
with delicious organic cuisine and vital wellness seminars in a dedicated
low-tech environment. Australian owned and operated, Gwinganna
provides scenic views of the coast and surrounding valleys and a casual
relaxed atmosphere. Its exclusive indoor / outdoor 33-room Spa
Sanctuary is surrounded by beautiful landscaping. With an elevated
outdoor deck and lounge overlooking the native spa garden and
surrounding trees, a sublime Crystal Steam Room and custom-designed
treatment rooms, you’ll discover that this is a truly innovative spa.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa,
Denarau Island, Fiji
If you’re seeking an idyllic spot to reconnect with each other,
this stunning Denarau Island resort is the ultimate in relaxed luxury.
Laze by beautiful pools, enjoy stunning sunsets from chic beachfront
bars with the warm, friendly service Fiji’s famous for. Rejuvenate your
body and feel your natural equilibrium restored at their luxurious spa.
This multi-award winning Fiji spa resort offers deeply relaxing
treatments that soothe and nourish – from luxe spa packages and
deeply relaxing couples’ treatments, to sunburn-soothing facials or
poolside spa treatment service. You can enjoy a little extra luxury
with a massage, manicure, pedicure or facial.
Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii
Turtle Bay Resort is blessed with a richness of nature that few
places can claim – the most powerful waves in the world as well as
tranquil bays for swimming. Miles of seaside walking trails, a farm on
site and a bird sanctuary. Nalu Kinetic Spa offers an authentic
Hawaiian experience of wellness in the most stunning setting
imaginable using pure, sustainable, natural ingredients that protect
your health and vitality. Whether you’re pounding the treadmill or
wrapped in seaweed bliss, the ocean’s unceasing motion is a force of
power and peace, where the ocean’s energy gently moves you into a
new place of vitality.
The Spa Resorts Samui,
Koh Samui, Thailand
These two spa resorts on the beautiful island of Koh Samui have
been welcoming health-minded people for over two decades. The Spa
Samui Beach Resort at Lamai Beach is Thailand’s first destination-
health spa and The Spa Samui Mountain Retreat set on picturesque
Samui Rock formations nestled in Lamai Valley overlooks Lamai
Beach. There is a convenient shuttle bus service running between the
two and both do daily detox colon cleansing, yoga classes and free
meditation classes. Spa therapies include Thai massages, back, neck,
shoulder and stomach massages, relaxing herbal oil massage,
reflexology and aloe vera body wrap.
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali
Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali embraces a healing ethos of
celebrating local culture, honouring ancient remedies and infusing the
essence of the surrounding scenery. This place of peacefulness and
calm combines the therapeutic value of its beautiful location with an
ancient and rich cultural heritage. The 31-room resort offers a range of
programs to restore what life takes from body and soul. Each spa
treatment combines therapeutic properties of natural local ingredients
and the healing practices of the area. With Balinese healing,
rejuvenation, wellness and spirituality, this quiet retreat not only
restores body and mind, but also replenishes the spirit.
Nalu Kinetic Spa garden room at Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaii.
overseas spa resorts
✈
SPAS
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