LIVE AQUA CANCUN
CANCUN, MEXICO
It’s rare to find a luxury hotel that is all-inclusive, adults-only and houses an astonishing spa in one resort. Live Aqua manages to do just that with their “feel HARMONY SPA” in Cancun, Mexico. What’s most-exciting about the feel HARMONY SPA is that it’s inspired by treatments found around the globe. The Coffee Ritual (80 mins/$130), a Mayan-inspired treatment, is an exfoliation treatment made with coffee grounds. It removes dead skin cells and increases circulation. This treatment is a must-do since it includes a body wrap of coffee and ends with a relaxing massage of jasmine oils. The Tahitian-inspired Soffio D´Polinesia (50 mins /$96) is another favorite. This massage uses a perfect combination of coconut oil enriched with ylang-ylang, which stimulates blood-flow throughout the body. You also have to try the Men’s Sports Facial (50 mins/$96). It uses caviar to invigorate the skin with anti-aging properties and it’s designed specifically for men with active lifestyles. I did this treatment twice and the very handsome masseur was a bonus. I also recommend Indian Magic (50 mins/$96). This massage imparts ancient traditions of India, balancing the harmony between the body and the soul. Cotton oils enriched with nutmeg oils are used to boost energy. I felt energized for days; my Partner was excited about that too! www.liveaqua.com/live-aqua-beach-resort-cancun
—H. Luiz Martinez
Chuan Spa
CHUAN SPA, CORDIS HONG KONG
HONG KONG
A renovation and rebranding transformed Mongkok’s Langham Place into the flagship for the Langham brand’s new Cordis line in 2016. Having stayed at the Langham Place several times, it was with pleasure that I arrived at the Cordis’ two-level Chuan Spa, occupying the 41st and 42nd floors. Traditional Chinese medicine and feng shui are guiding principals in the decoration, layout, and treatments. Every guest is guided through a questionnaire to determine which of the five elements within, aka Wu Xing, might be out of whack and requiring attention. My results revealed that I’m balanced overall, so when offered a choice of scented oils for my massage, I opted for the earth element: its rosemary and eucalyptus are good for the digestion and to minimize overthinking, of which I’m guilty your honor. As for the treatments themselves, I decided to take a Chinese medicine deep dive with the one hour Gua Sha ($110), which involves having your back scraped with a jade tool to get the circulation and immune system going, and can cause severe (and Instagram-ready) red streaks if done by a hardcore traditionalist. Aided by oil, Chuan’s Gua Sha results proved far less gruesome, but still vigorous. I felt a facial was warranted as well, and tried the recently added Vitamin C Facial (60 mins/$158), which incorporates applications of Kerstin Florian Acti-5 Brightening Complex, a multi-acid peel (which tingled just enough), and luminous rice cooling masque. Following the treatment, I was led to a relaxation lounge and treated to a tray of fruit, tea, and a transparent jelly with goji berries. www.cordishotels.com/en/hong-kong/wellness/facilities/chuan-spa
—Lawrence Ferber
LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL SPA
HONG KONG
The 14-year-old Landmark Mandarin may be smaller than its legendary sister property, the flagship Mandarin Oriental hotel, yet its spa is worthy of serious sibling rivalry. Occupying two floors, its downright cinematic facilities include a Hammam, Moroccan Rasul, Roman Laconium, amethyst crystal steam rooms, vitality pools, experience showers, ice fountains, saunas, an indoor lap pool, Zen relaxation rooms, and dedicated men’s and women’s relaxation rooms. It’s no wonder guests are encouraged to arrive a full hour before treatments. There are 15 treatment rooms, and a VIP sanctuary suite for couples, and the extensive spa menu is packed with exciting options, including “Essential Traveler,” “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” “Scrubs,” “Water Therapy,” and much more. The signature therapy, Digital Wellness Escape (90 mins/$230 weekdays, $256 on weekends), which debuted on the menu in 2016, was conceived to undo some of the damage caused by nonstop smartphone and laptop connection, with a focus on the neck, shoulders, arms, and upper back (the body parts most used for support during e-device use). Balled fists and elbows were used in stretching strokes to elongate taut muscles, particularly in the arms, and it effectively knocked out the stress since I dozed off a few times. Aromatherapy oil was applied generously, and after the treatment ended my therapist reminded me to keep off electronics for a while, and shared strategies like charging my phone at night far from the bed, and using a regular alarm clock rather than the phone’s. Leaving the room, I headed back to the men’s area, noting the hallway’s artful “Zen forest” design, which utilizes colored wood panels that go from light to dark when entering the treat- ment zone. Bonus: Landmark’s spa is also home to a salon offering Bastien Gonzalez-designed pedicures, manicures, and foot massages. www.mandarinoriental.com/hong-kong/the-landmark/luxury-spa
—Lawrence Ferber
NAUPAKA SPA & WELLNESS AT FOUR SEASONS OAHU
KAPOLEI, OAHU, HAWAII
In a destination as lovely as Hawaii, the Naupaka Spa pleasantly incorporates ancient local wisdom into its array of treatments, along with relaxing natural serenity. Located a short drive from Honolulu inside the gorgeous Four Seasons Oahu, the spacious spa spans 35,000 square feet over five stories, and includes a beauty salon/barbershop, and the Jim Courier Tennis Centre. Treatments include Hawaiian healing therapies like the Volcanic Foot and Leg Treatment (25 min/$80) using volcanic pumice and pure sea salts for natural exfoliation, followed by taro and organic Hawaiian honey hydration rubs; and the Hanohano Lomilomi (50 min/$195), a glorious massage of long, flowing strokes meant to evoke graceful hula movements. The No Ka Oi (110 min/$425) is literally called “The Best” because it incorporates all of Naupaka’s best elements for an invigorating sugar and coconut-oil scrub, hydrating coconut-milk-and-aloe wrap, tropical hair/scalp treatment, and lemongrass ginger lomilomi massage that should park you perfectly in the mindset of Oahu’s breezy tranquility. Better still, you can book any massage in one of the beachside cabanas, each within earshot of the soothing Pacific waves. Inside Naupaka, enjoy the hot tub and cold plunge, but don’t miss the Himalayan salt chambers, where inhaling in a little halotherapy (salt therapy) can help alleviate allergies and congestion, and refresh your lungs to breathe in more of the flower-fresh Hawaiian air. www.fourseasons.com/oahu/spa
—Kelsy Chauvin
THE SPA & SALON, PARK MGM
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Need a break from the bling and dings of the Las Vegas Strip? The $600 million transformation of the Monte Carlo into the Park MGM beckons guests with a revitalizing spa and salon. “The intent was to create a feeling of relaxed comfort,” says Director of Recreation Services, Lauren Wood. “The idea was to decorate the spa with pieces that could be found at home. By doing so, guests feel they can be themselves, which allows for a level of serenity and comfort that is harder to find in larger spas.” That serene aesthetic is at the core of the spa’s offerings, which include the Sothys Athletics Body Treatment, a detoxifying mousse wrap with caffeine, green tea, and brown sugar (50 min/$150); Athlete’s Massage, an invigorating combination of stretching and deep muscle work (50 min/$170, 80 minutes/$250); and the Sothys Hydrating Facial, a replenishing and hydrating treatment that relies on Boletus extract and hyaluronic acid from the legendary French skincare line (50 min/$155). The spa also features Fur Oil, an exclusive product that softens hair and reduces inflammation—great for the pubic area, underarms, or face. For more wellness and relaxations options, consider a Saturday morning yoga class ($20), an art walk through Park MGM’s curated collection (Wednesdays at 10 A.M.), or a delightful jazz brunch at the adjacent NoMad Bar (Sundays, 10 A.M. – 5 P.M.).
www.parkmgm.mgmresorts.com
—Matthew Wexler
