1. Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort, Siena, Toscana, Italy.

Those looking for a touch of Dolce Vita should look no further than Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort located amidst the beautiful scenery of the Siena hills in Italy. Guests staying at Fonteverde can enjoy the idyllic Tuscan countyside full of magical harmony with its olive groves, cypress trees lining the hillsides, charming medieval villages and vineyards. Undoubtedly, one of the main draws of Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort is precious hot spring which therapeutic effects were known since the ancient times. The Medici family often visited the region’s restorative thermal spring water. Nowadays, Fonteverde has an extensive spa center with 7 swimming therapeutic pools, a holistic center and a beauty center. The hotel also offers a wide range of exclusive treatments for face and body created by a professional team of specialists. The hotel restaurant serves a good selection of spa cuisine dishes as well as traditional Tuscan cuisine. Pet owners can take their best friends as the hotel has a garden area and a thermal pool for their four-footed companions.

2. The Claremont Resort and Spa, San Francisco, USA.

Since its opening in 1915, the Claremont Resort and Spa is famous for its award-winning cuisine, luxury accommodations, a wide variety of innovative treatments inspired from around the globe and a collection of sports, activities and events. With its stunning views of San Francisco, California and San Francisco Bay, this hotel is a perfect choice for your body and soul rejuvenation.

3. The Grove, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

The Grove is a completely unique golf spa resort which opened in September 2003. Just 35 minutes from London, the Grove hotel is housed in a magnificent 18th century building in Hertfordshire Parkland. One of the most important features of the Grove is its 18 holes Championship Golf Course playable year-round. The Grove hotel provides a relaxing escape from the routine of everyday life owing to the fact that the hotel has a stunning health spa where guests can indulge themselves in various spa treatments or try state-of-the-art fitness facilities to take care of their health and beauty.

4. The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, BC, Canada.

Located on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, Wickaninnish Inn is a stunning romantic vacation hideaway surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides and the ancient rain forests of Western Canada on the fourth. Guests can enjoy a fascinating combination of ocean views, award-winning traditional cuisine, luxurious guest rooms and the Ancient Cedars Spa which nourishes the spirit and the body with therapies that draw from the ocean and earth. Many activities are available in the Wickaninnish Inn including a selection of fishing, surfing, sea kayaking, golfing and scuba diving.

5. Four Seasons Bali Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia.

If you seek a luxurious spa resorts somewhere out on a rocky peninsula, then you need look no further than some undiscovered Eden you will find in Four Seasons Bali Jimbaran Bay, Bali. This resort offers traditional bale-style private villas with stunning views of Jimbaran Bay and Bali’s sacred Mount Agung. The resort has eight luxurious treatment rooms, the Royal Spa Suite and the Spa Juice Bar, which offer a complete selection of spa and beauty services.

6. The Setai, Miami Beach, FL, USA.

Set on the ocean front in the heart of South Beach, The Setai is a serene resort with the Asian traditions of simplicity and elegance. One of the best beach spa resorts, The Setai has private spa suites with ocean views where guests can experience relaxation and restoration techniques from the east. There is also a fully equipped gym with professional personal trainers. Spa regimen also includes natural foods. The following activities are available here: water skiing, fishing, wind surfing, boating, sailing. The beach service also includes a range of jet skis for rent.

7. Banyan Tree Phuket, Cherngtalay, Thailand.

Located on the shores of Bang Tao Bay in the northwest of Phuket Island in Thailand, Banyan Tree Phuket is one of the best spa resorts in the world and a tropical paradise of extraordinary natural beauty. Internationally renowned Banyan Tree Spa Phuket offers a large variety of non-clinical massages and body treatments. Golf admirers are welcomed to the 18 holes Championship Banyan Tree Golf Club. This resort is a real tropical paradise that is hard to imagine and impossible to forget.

We didn’t mention the price, just because it’s a little bit pricey. It is really pricey. Other then that, it’s perfect. But again, do you know any perfect expensive places where you can stay for $100/night? If you stay in the villa, you also have access to all of the areas of the hotel. They have 2 pools (1 freshwater and the other saltwater) and plenty of nooks for relaxing in the sun or shade. They also have a small but well equipped gym and a small spa but the services are amazing! Massages are truly some of the best that we’ve ever had.

For example a villa with private plunge pool, hammock, and full view of the bay will be just about $770/night. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? 100%! The private plunge pools are a blessing from heaven. The hotel is gorgeous, quaint, superb. The views are to die for.

You can even drink some margaritas delivered to you by waitress on trays in infinity pool. Food is good. Actually restaurant is very delicious. But if you don’t want to have a Mexican food for all your stay, you can walk a few minutes and have some nice Italian food at Il Mare. Also, you will spend $100-200 usd at most of these places for a dinner for two(entrees, app and a bottle of wine).

The staff is very good. The rooms are clean, the beds are firm, but not awful. Overall: good food, good view, good service, good building, a little bit crowded beach on weekends. Hopefully you will enjoy your spa vacation at La Casa Que Canta.

On arrival you reception staff will greet you with an ice cold wipe for your hands and a glass of lemon fruit drink.

So let’s talk about villas. Staff will get you to your villa using a golf cabin. And trust me, you will be surprised by the feeling of a privacy that will be all around you. You will get your own villa with 2 rooms, bathroom, large terrace and a small spa house. Of course there’s also a huge swimming pool, which you will enjoy.

Decorations are mixed Asian and Japanese style. At first look you will think they are old furniture, but they are not. It’s just a style, and to be honest, I loved it. It is a very clean look overall. And villas are surrounded by plants, water and of course huge fences, so no one will disrupt you from yourself.

Of course having such an open area and water will bring in some insects, which might be an issue if you dislike their presence. But they are not very annoying.

Food is very good. And there is no difference if you will eat in the restaurant or they will deliver the food to your villa, which is a nice additional bonus. Basically food is a choice between Thai and Mediterranean.

Also you should try food at Coustiero. If you can wait about 30 minutes, you will get a top quality ingredients and perfect flavour pasta, best in Thailand so far.

Other then resorts and you villas, the place is not a very relaxing. On your way to resort in your taxi/cab, try to not look around unless you reach your destination. Place is a very poor, and you might be disappointed by your thoughts of how poor whole Thai people actually live in there.

Perros Guirec is a wonderful beach of a Pink Granite coast, and hotel is located 100 steps above it. Should we say that views are simply magnificent.

Pools are very nice, strategically placed between the important venues like restaurant, which is a very good one as well. But we found it a little bit to expensive. You can count on spending around 200 euros for a dinner for 2 with 1 drink each. Which is something that we can spend on a night out in the city, but not the dinner at the holiday hotel. However there is a plenty of dining option available locally.

If you are a person in need of some privacy and rest, and you like modern style(and you are in France or near it’s borders) you can give L’Agapa Hotel and Spa a try. You should not be disappointed.

And don’t forget about their Spa, it offers a lot of options and choices.

You can get there from Athens, taking the Athens-Thessaloniki highway and then going to the Port of Agios Konstantinos, which ferries will take you directly to Skiathos Island.Arriving to the Port of Skiathos - you should take course towards Koukounaries(you will not miss it, since you will see a lot of Koukounaries signs during your trip). There you will have to find an Aegean Suites Hotel in between of bus stops 5 and 6, just in front of the beach of Megali Ammos.

First thing you will notice, some will like it(however some will not) will be a lot of steps. If you are not fit enough and that can be a problem for you. We suggest you to take a lower level. Pretty much all the first floor has a beautiful sea view.

Rooms are very nice. Most of them have big lounges with a balcony. We are sure they will fit needs of most of the tourists. And staff is very nice and friendly. You will find everything clean as it should be. Food is very good as well. Pools are very nice(of course magnificent sea view adds to it).

Skiathos town will be around 1,5 kilometers walk from hotel. Which will greet you with a fabulous hotels and nice shops to visit. If you will be tired from running up and down on steps at hotel you can have a taxi ride for 5 euros each way as well. Or you can also have a bus ride(they have scheduled runs every 15 minutes). Boat trips are also an awesome option, even if they are expensive, they worth it(they are leaving around 10.00am every day).

A lot of Villas have their own swimming pools. Again, you should keep in mind that Phuket is a tropical island, so you can experience some insects, frogs or lizards. Who knows who will be your guest at your swimming pools soon? Not sure if this is a minus though, since pretty much all intruders that we experienced had non abusive manner.

This place is also highly recommended for honeymoons. Actually it screams “honeymoon” with it’s chapel and privacy. Everyone who has a romantic heart really should give Banyan Tree a chance to prove them they can give you best of the best vacation. You will not want to stay in Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton after Banyan Tree though.

As a small tip, try to avoid La Tratoria - Italian restaurant in a different hotel near to Banyan Tree. People say it’s not good enough.

Resorts is about 20 minutes by taxi from the airport. Perfectly far if we talk about having some privacy. It is on a fair distance from both Airport and city center. Adeje is a very relaxing place.

When you enter the hotel it is impressive. Building is very nice, everything looks massive and expensive. Hotel entrance is at floor 2. So if you live in Villa, you will be leaving 2 levels lower then reception.

There are 3 open swimming pools, one of them is with a warm water. You might meet a friendly guy there, who will ask you if you want some lessons of skuba-diving. He is a very professional instructor. So if you will require some training - just find him.

We had a 2 level villa, with a Jacuzzi on 2nd floor on the open air. And a view of a laguna and beach. Let me tell you it was an impressive experience!

Personal was friendly most of the times, pretty much no issues with them. Rooms are clean, not outdated. Beds are relaxing. We did not experienced any insects or something like that. It was all good enough for a luxury resorts.

Spa areas are nice as well. They have an offer of 3 different spa cycles. So if you are there for long enough, you should really try all 3 of them. They are a nice mix of therapy. Massage is also on a good level, so it’s something you can enjoy, without being afraid of non professionals.

Hotel resides on the small hill. So be sure you are young enough to go up and down during day, because you will need some phisical powers for that.

Beach is around 8-10 minutes walking from hotel entrance. And you can get to a city center by taxi in about 10 minutes as well.

Overall, nice place for 25-30+ years people. Or people who like to relax during the early months of Spring. Not sure what happens there when it’s summer. But we will find it out.

We got there from Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi(which is also a very good Spa, but that’s a different story). Our 30 minute boat ride was relaxing, and we were surprised and amazed by the looks of surroundings, while on the boat.

One thing we noticed when we did our tour, was that it was far from completion to our looks. But still, all we had to say was “wow”. Everything that is there, has such an amazing attention to details, that for the first day, we had nothing else then “wow”.

It has both inside and outside spas, and it will really convert most of the “best of the best” luxury spa resort visitors to it’s side.

A few excerpts are:

1. We are able to eat everything we have growing around our villa or property. Yes, it’s that simple. You like this fruit, you can take it and eat it. As fresh as it is. Yummy!
2. Combination of four spas in one. They have both Indian Spa, Indonesian Spa, Chinese Spa and of course Thai Spa. And it’s not just a small area, but a complete spa resorts. They even have a salon called the hair spa. No need to mention color therapy spaces, watsu areas, pilates, kenisis, long awaited feng shui gyms and a lof of other offerings are all there. It’s really easier to list what they don’t offer, then what they actually do.
3. Everything you see around is also screams ecology. A lot of ecologically embedded practices involved.
4. Food is as fresh as it can be. Garden-fresh ingridients, raw food restaurants and spa-celebrity chefs are all there!
5. There is also amazing 7th Sense that is going to be introduces.
6. And of course it is going to be the most expensive spa in the world. Worth it or not? We certainly think it’s worth every cent of the price. But of course, not everyone will be able to enjoy such a Spa for a holiday that is longer then 7 days.

Myth #1
Spa resorts are expensive.

You can afford a good spa vacation provided that you take care of wise budgeting. The following advices will help you to get the best deal:

• traveling off-season will save you a lot of money.
• choose staying on weekdays rather than at weekends, rates are usually lower.
• look for special packages or the hottest spa deals.
• check appropriate websites or ask your friends who are in the know about spa resorts offering a nice holiday at an affordable price.
• check out what is included in the price (meals, exercise classes, spa treatments).

Myth #2
There is no principal difference between destination spas and spa resorts.

They ARE different. Traditionally spa resorts offer their guests spa treatments alongside many leisure activities including golf, swimming, water sports, tennis and so on. Spa resorts would be a good choice if you travel with your family and one wants to play tennis while the other wants to enjoy spa. Moreover, most spa resorts have kids’ camps. Spa resorts usually offer limited health and wellness classes; usually you have to pay some extra charge for them. Destination spas, on the other hand, concern about helping individuals develop a healthy lifestyle through extensive fitness programs, therapeutic spa treatment and education. All meals, classes and some spa procedures are usually included in the price.

Myth #3
New unique spa treatments are always the best.

Spa resorts introduce new unique treatments every year, which range from snake massages and “nightingale excrement facials” to “aura-soma color reading” and “aura imaging”. Do you really think that treatments like these have any real purpose and result? Most of them are added with only one purpose in mind – to attract more people.

Myth#4
You should wear underclothes under you spa robe.

Don’t be so much concerned about what you should wear under your spa robe. Actually, most people visiting spa treatments prefer to be nude, just because it is more comfortable. Don’t worry about lying on the treatment table stark naked, because the only part of your body exposed at a time is the part your spa therapist is going to work on, the rest of your body is usually covered with sheets and towels. In case of baths, you should realize that your therapist will usually leave you alone to allow you get undressed and get into your bathtub; he will also leave at the end of the treatment – professional therapists do their best to make you feel comfortable and relaxed during treatments. But if you still want to wear underclothes, it’s totally up to you. You can also ask for disposable underwear – most spas provide it.

Myth#5
Spa safety and sanitation are guaranteed in spa resorts.

Not at all! You should make sure of that yourself. One of the best ways to do that is talking a tour. You should pay special attention to:

• drains in showers. Hairs in the drain are a bad sign.
• wraps. They should be either disposable or completely sanitized after use.
• implements. Make sure implements are properly cleaned between uses.
• manicure and pedicure equipment, as well as bathtubs. Find out how they are sanitized.
• ladders, steps and handrails. To ensure safe entry and exit, pools and hot tubs should have such equipment.

Myth#6
It is better to arrange spa treatment when you reach your spa resort.

It is strongly recommended to book all your spa procedures when you make your reservation. There are crowds of spa visitors scrambling for the same services you want, especially on weekends and high seasons. Make sure that the spa resort you want to visit has enough spa treatment rooms to keep up with demand. Anyway, it is safer to book spa treatments in advance than to wait until you actually get there.

Myth#7
Spas are not for men.

Although women still remain the queens of spas, lately men have not only recognized spa treatments as a good thing, they have gotten caught up in this stress-less world. That is why more spas aim their programs at men.