Hidden Doorways Destination Spas
December 14, 2021 by Tiffany Figueiredo
Courtesy of Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
When choosing a vacation resort, many travelers rank a full-service spa near the top of their must-have lists. While lots of hotels have lovely spas, these outstanding resorts go far beyond simple treatment rooms, swimming pools and massage therapists. Using state-of-the-art technologies, impressive design and thoughtful, thorough approaches to wellness, they have elevated their in-house spas to travel-worthy destinations unto themselves.
Courtesy of Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, Switzerland
For nearly 150 years, the sprawling Bürgenstock Resort set on Lake Lucerne has been the outdoor playground of celebrities, politicians, glitterati and those seeking luxury wellness in gorgeous Swiss environs. At the resort’s heart lies Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, a contemporary hotel where each of the 102 chic guest rooms offers floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and the 107,000-square-foot spa is a veritable paradise of pampering. One can easily spend a day or several dipping in and out of the spa’s five pools, garden, hot and cold Kniepp baths, Alpine Rasul bath, rock showers, aromatherapy saunas and Finnish sauna or indulging in the wide range of skincare and body treatments on offer.
Must Book Treatment: Alpine Spa recently partnered with famed German skincare and aesthetics expert Dr. Barbara Sturm. Try a 90-minute Super Anti-Aging Facial featuring microneedling, Sturm’s Molecular Cosmetics products and facial massage.
Courtesy of Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa
Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa, France
On a sun-kissed Luberon hill surrounded by vineyards and lavender fields, charming Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa village offers guests all the tranquility, relaxation and fresh air one might expect from its historic Provençal position as well as unexpected luxury, 5-star service, a modern approach to sustainability, Relais & Châteaux-worthy cuisine and the largest spa in the region. After a day spent on the resort’s BMC bicycles exploring the enchanting neighboring hamlets, guests can indulge in blissful massage, beauty and skincare treatments at the state-of-the-art spa which features Kniepp baths, an ice fall, heated indoor pool, hammam, sauna, sensory shower and outdoor whirlpool spas.
Must Book Treatment: For the ultimate indulgent escape, set aside a day for one of the Coquillade Times 10-hour experiences centered around sports recovery, beauty, detoxification or stress relief.
Courtesy of Finca Cortesin
Finca Cortesin, Andalucía, Spain
Spain’s Costa de Sol is home to elegant Finca Cortesin, a highly sought-after but serene oasis just a half hour from the beaches of Marbella. This destination resort features lush palm-dotted gardens, a championship golf course, several dining outlets, a nearby beach club and a wonderfully eclectic design that pulls from Spanish, Moorish, Mediterranean and British influences. The property’s spa has a decidedly Asian influence, in both design and treatments offered. With indoor and outdoor pools, a snow cave unique to Spain, and a Thai Spa area featuring traditional Eastern treatments, the spa at Finca Cortesin offers everything from beauty treatments featuring Biologique Recherche and Tata Harper to Balinese massage. The Arani Yoga and Meditation Center offers private guided mediation and yoga sessions.
Must Book Treatment: During the Oriental Harmony treatment, two therapists work in unison using essential oils in a unique Eastern four-hands massage that soothes muscles and tension providing ultimate relaxation.
Courtesy of Kasiiya Papagayo
Kasiiya Papagayo, Costa Rica
Set on Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula, Kasiiya is a jungle hideaway with seven eco-friendly suites on 123 acres of lush forest and pristine private beach. Kasiiya means “find your pace” in Swahili, and that’s the invitation. With the help of a dedicated team member, guests will design a program that serves their body, mind, and soul. Days may include private yoga classes overlooking the sea, wellness discovery with the in-house healer, or a movement class in the “Jungle Gym.” Joyful play is also encouraged, like snorkeling off a private beach, trekking to find Howler monkeys, or surfing on a nearby break.
Must Book Treatment: At Kasiiya, every wellness program is individually designed to suit your desires. The on-site healer will encourage you to reconnect with nature – and in doing so, reconnect with yourself – using local rituals and healing practices.
Courtesy of Silversands
Silversands, Grenada
Grand Anse Beach on the Caribbean island of Granada is famous for its wide stretches of soft white sand and crystal water. It’s here that boutique resort Silversands Granada made its debut in late 2018. The ultrachic property boasts a striking 330-foot pool that seems to spill into the sea — one of the many architectural features that help this contemporary resort blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Accommodations here are luxurious and spacious and two restaurants keep guests happily and healthily fed with Asian dishes and fresh-caught seafood. The gorgeously designed spa features a hammam, ice cave, experiential shower and peaceful private pool.
Must-Book Treatment: Psammotherapy is an ancient therapy using warm sand to treat inflammation, soreness and other ailments. In the 90-minute Signature Warm Quartz Experience, a bed of warm quartz sand and local nutmeg oil are used in a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating massage.
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Mexico
Beloved Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is known for its famous carved-rock tunnel entrance, quiet location near all that buzzy downtown Cabo San Lucas has to offer, private plunge pools and romantic cliffside El Farallón seafood restaurant. But Luna y Mar Spa, inspired by the moon, sea and Mexican healing traditions, is a true treat for the senses. With a stunning oyster shell-shaped saltwater meditation pool surrounded by treatment rooms, sauna, cold room and whirlpool, the spa takes guests on a journey of relaxation, stimulation and immersion into the Mexican culture and offers a cool and tranquil respite from the bright Pacific Mexico sun.
Must-Book Treatment: The spa’s four signature 110-minute treatments are inspired by the phases of the moon, each one offering awakening, nourishing, calming or restoring through sounds, scents, exfoliation and massage using traditional Mexican healing ingredients.
Courtesy of Six Senses Ibiza, Spain
Six Senses Hotels and Resorts
Located in some of the world’s most naturally beautiful and unique locations, the 16 resorts and hotels and 29 spas in 20 countries managed by Six Senses all have in common local authenticity, sustainable design, commitment to community and pioneering wellness. The brand has long been at the forefront of the wellness hospitality movement, partnering with experts, offering the latest technologies and proven modalities and operating from a holistic approach that extends to every part of a guest’s stay or visit, from the food to the on- and off-property activities, even the beds. This layered approach is delivered with warm service and a sense of fun meant to help guests reconnect to each other, themselves and the community.
Must-Book Treatment: As Six Senses is committed to preserving the local culture wherever they are, each spa offers unique locally inspired treatments — think the Laamu Kaashi Theyo ritual using local coconuts, the Qing Cheng Rejuvenation message using green tea, the Yao Noi ritual using Thai herbs or the Ibiza After-Party Detox treatment.
Courtesy of Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, Turkey
Six Senses Kocatas Mansions Spa-Débuting Spring 2022
Six Senses welcomes their newest spa to Istanbul’s legendary Bosphorus Sea in Spring 2022. Enveloped by lush greenery, Six Senses Kocataş Mansions Spa imbues a peaceful setting to rejuvenate and reconnect with oneself. This 16,145 sq. ft. wellness sanctuary offers one-of-a-kind wellness immersions such as the Turkish hammam inspired by the tiles of the Blue Mosque. It also offers five treatment rooms, three hammams, two steam rooms, two saunas, holistic anti-aging center, pilates studio, retail boutique, nail bar and Alchemy bar where guests can create their own scrubs and products.
Contact:
Scott Bull
Hidden Doorways Wellness Expert
Email: scott@hiddendoorwaystravel.com
Website: https://hiddendoorwaystravel.com/destinations/wellness-travel/
