BY MICCA VANVIELD
A spa holiday has proven to many as being an indulgence in many different ways. It allows you to enhance your spiritual awareness, heal emotional distress, rid the body of toxins, improve circulation and give the mind and body a chance to fully repair and relax from the stresses of our everyday lives. However, you may not be aware of all the variations of spas and the variety of treatments that they provide. From healthy spa breaks to wellbeing holidays this article will give you a breakdown of the different types of spa holidays that you can indulge in when you take your next vacation.
Traditional Spa: A traditional spa provides an extensive variety of spa treatments and therapies, all providing the benefits of improving health, beauty and relaxation, resulting in an unforgettable spa experience. It is likely to contain facilities such as a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room that you may use in addition to your treatments. It could also include hydrotherapy circuits, a fitness center and swimming pool.
One of my favourite traditional spas is the Hard Rock Hotels All Inclusive Collection. They have definitely stayed true to their brand and have put a Rockstar twist on everything including their spa treatments known as Rockspa. Balance, energize and chill. That is the mantra that sums up the luxurious, ultra-pampering world of Hard Rock’s Rock Spa. This is one of my personal favourites as they have the most complete hydrotherapy center with lagoons, whirlpools, steam room, sauna, food creek pathway, hydro-
reflexology, sensory expertise pool and a cutting edge ice room. Their spas have been designed to give guests privacy, signature personalized service, discreet attention and the ultimate in relaxation and revitalization with the most unique services like Rhythm and Motion which is the world’s first fully immersive music-centric spa menu utilizing amplified vibrations, pressures and patterns, as the foundation of its treatments. There are currently four Hard Rock All Inclusive Hotels through Dominican Republic and Mexico and more to come over the next two years. A trip to a Hard Rock will definitely
guarantee you pampering as the chain includes $1800 in credits which can all be used
at the spa.
Destination Spa: A destination spa will provide you with a comprehensive healthy holiday program that includes spa treatments, physical fitness activities, holistic exercise classes, wellness lectures and healthy cuisine. It is typical for guests to actively partake in the program at the spa and fully integrate it into their wellbeing holiday, rather than visiting for a single treatment whilst at the destination.
My clients have always boasted about one of their favorite destination spas which just happens to be in St. Lucia called The Body Holiday LeSport. If you are looking for a luxury resort then surely this would be a perfect choice. They are an inclusive resort which is unparalleled in terms of its facilities, offerings, service and cuisine. The wellness center has been voted as one of the best spas in St Lucia and this resort has
been voted one of the top all-inclusive resorts in the world.
The TAO restaurant was also voted by Condé Nast as one of the top sixty tables in the world. Based on the four key pillars of relaxation, restorative beauty, exercise and good diet, The Body Holiday has been created specifically to ensure that its guests leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and recharged. They offer spa treatments that you can take advantage of everyday, a variety of therapies and activities such as archery to scuba diving, spinning, Pilates and Ayurvedic treatments to Reiki. Twice a year they also run a yoga retreat dedicated to helping guests improve their skills.
Meditation Retreats: There are a number of meditation retreats throughout the Caribbean that offers their guests an opportunity to really unplug from everyday living and really immerse yourself into connecting with you. The Rolling Meadows Meditation Retreat runs several times a year in Tulum, which is a beautiful spot on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. This is where ancient Mayan ruins overlook the Caribbean Sea. This spiritual retreat takes place in a rustic beachside camp where it’s teaching guides its guests to be self-referenced through attention to breathing, sensations of the body and whatever arises in every moment. It reaches the process of letting go, or “undoing” by listening, trusting and surrendering to the body. Ultimately it is about being, rather than doing.
The retreats are a week long and all participants follow a daily schedule of meditation and yoga. The retreat accommodations consists of thirteen thatch-roofed cabanas which have private baths, tiled floors and king-size beds. There is however no electricity.
Whatever your style of spa holiday you choose, it will definitely be an experience to remember. Life can seem to offer us adversities and place us in situations where we feel we just need to get away. The next time you get this feeling, plan your next vacation and make it a spa getaway. You will definitely return feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and revitalized.
