SAXON SPA AND STUDIO
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
The aroma of fresh jacaranda seemed to whirl around me wherever I went at the Saxon Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The property, situated on the former home of insurance giant Douw Steyn, opened its doors to the public in 2000 with a transformation of the most luxurious suites in Johannesburg. Over the years, the Saxon has been the go-to place for diplomats and legendary figures like Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. It’s on these same grounds where Mandela edited his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. I imagined rubbing elbows with Winnie Mandela while sipping oolong tea in the spa lounge as I put on my fancy robe in the Saxon Spa and Studio and marveled at the ornate detail put into every corner of this opulent and friendly spa. The décor includes handprints of some of its most famous guests. Their Signature Sound Therapy Treatment (60 min/$55) is unique to the Saxon Spa and Studio, taking you on a spiritual journey using sound. Imagine lying down while receiving the gentle and sometimes stark vibrations of gongs, cymbals, Tibetan singing bowls, and bells. I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything like it. The treatment itself takes place on a warm waterbed with color therapy to fully enhance and rebalance your energy flow while receiving sound vibrations at every angle. If you want to up the ante a bit, opt for the Signature Journey for Men (240 min/$170), a four-hour treatment which includes the Sound Therapy treatment before a Deep Tissue Massage and followed by a Spa Pedicure. The whole experience includes a lunch in the Spa Café. In October of 2016 new hydro facilities including heated pools, a floatation pool, and steam room will be unveiled to kick back, relax, and float in the water between spa treatments. www.saxon.co.za
—Jeffrey James Keyes
Saxon Spa and Studio, Johannesburg
AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA
CHUAN SPA AT THE LANGHAM
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
After a full day of exploring Maori culture at the Auckland Museum, I was able to secure a spa appointment at the Langham Auckland, my home base for my initial adventure in New Zealand. Chuan Spa builds on the oriental traditions that seek spiritual and physical harmony by balancing the five elements: metal, wood, fire, earth, and water. I started my Chuan experience by tempting and awakening my body with various levels of hot and cold in their Tri-Bathing Ritual, first bathing under the spa’s snail water, then taking in the “ice experience” and bringing my icy chest and shoulders into a herbal steam room. All treatments feature a range of essential oils, incense, and candles to enhance your experience. The Chuan Man’s World (75 min/$110) is a decadent treatment commencing with a back exfoliation. As if the repetition of hot to cold-water experiences didn’t prepare my body for nirvana enough, the sensation of having a clean exfoliation before a rigorous yet relaxing massage was a total home run. Afterwards, I was pleasantly surprised with a purifying facial cleanse tailored specifically for my sensitive skin. If you’re looking for something a little more in the feet and hands realm, dip them into warm water infused with essential oils in the Chuan Executive Indulgence (60 min/$110) that additionally exfoliates and softens the soles of the feet while rejuvenating those overworked hands. The treatment concludes with a super- relaxing scalp massage that will bring balance and bliss to the forefront. After my treatment, I went for a dip in the heated rooftop pool. A small group of friends was just leaving the pool as I arrived, and I was lucky to have the water all to myself. First-time visitors to the spa might want to take advantage of a newbie 25% reduction on their Discover Chuan Spa Package (75 min/$130), which features an invigorating 30minute Herbal Salt Scrub, 30-minute Back, Neck, & Shoulder Massage, 15-minute facial, complimentary valet parking, the tri-bathing area, and pool/Jacuzzi access. www.chuanspa.co.nz
—Jeffrey James Keyes
SOUTH AMERICA
ENTRE CIELOS SPA AND HAMMAM AT ENTRE CIELOS
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Just 600 miles from Buenos Aires is Mendoza, a secluded Malbec grapeproducing region that’s home to Entre Cielos, a low-key hotel with one of the most high-end hammams I’ve seen outside of Istanbul. Upon arrival at the spa’s reception desk, I was presented with a kit consisting of a metal bowl, an exfoliating glove (called a kese), flip-flops, a pestemal, and a cotton body-wrap robe to be used as my bathing suit. Yes, under that, you’re naked. However, the way the spa staggers appointments, the truly shy won’t have to worry about being seen bare-bottomed—and it’s never unisex. There are a lot of options when choosing a hammam experience, and to be honest, I’d have preferred it to be more simplified so you know what you’re paying for. However, everyone does start with the Traditional Hamam Circuit (90 min/$50), where you move from several rooms that vary in temperature and experience. It’s all meant to help with detoxifying, stimulating, and relaxing the body. I added the Rhassoul, where one rubs liquid volcanic clay into their body (I was told to put it in my hair, too). After the hamman, my skin was smooth enough for the Grape Seed Exfoliation (155 min/$120), a wine-based therapy designed to exfoliate dead cells with wine-producing seeds. www.entrecielos.com
—Chanize Thrope
Chaun Spa at The Langham, Auckland
NORTH AMERICA
ISLAND CURRENTS AT SENORA RESORT
SENORA ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA
While Vancouver reigns as far as international name recognition, British Columbia is riddled with plenty of beauteous, destination-worthy islands, from Victoria, its capital, to the eco-oasis that is Sonora Island. Accessible by helicopter, seaplane, or water taxi, Sonora’s namesake resort, open from May to mid-October, is an all-inclusive, lushly landscaped resort, part of the exquisite Relais & Château collection, where one can observe populations of bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears, and (passing by daily) whales. Sonora’s Island Currents spa sports an additional distinction: it’s a member of the Swiss Valmont product line’s elite V35 club, which encompasses 35 of the world’s finest hotel and luxury brand spas. Housed within a stone and wood lodge-style structure that overlooks the water and neighboring islands, the spa includes a fitness room and outdoor mineral pools. All Island Currents patrons can commence or conclude their treatment with Water Journey, a selfled therapeutic wet ritual including stops in a sauna, Swiss shower, warm and cool mineral pools, and hot tub. The menu’s signature treatments draw inspiration from and imparts the essence of Sonora’s Pacific Northwest surroundings and elements. For instance, heated beach stones and salts exfoliate and detoxify the body while cooling jade and Valmont products soothe the face during the Peaceful Warrior (120 min/$226). A bit knotted up, I opted for the Balsam Deep Tissue Massage (60 min/$117, 90 min/$175), incorporating Balsam Fir Gum (highly treasured by Canada’s First Nations for its medicinal applications) plus eucalyptus, tea tree, India spearmint, avocado, and argan in the treatment’s massage oil. It was a luscious and too-short experience, and the oil proved quite alluring in scent. Certainly enough to purchase some in the spa’s store. www.sonoraresort.com
– Lawrence Ferber
The Rainforest Vitality Pool at Banyan Tree Spa Mayakoba
THE RAINFOREST AT BANYAN TREE SPA MAYAKOBA
MEXICAN RIVIERA, MEXICO
Nestled into the freshwater lagoons and mangroves of the romantic Riviera Mayan coast is Mayakoba, where an arcadia of indigenous and bird species celebrate life in a delicate ecosystem. Banyan Tree Mayakoba, the star resort in a handful of local accommodations, is a draw for luxury-minded travelers who enjoy the quiet, finer things in life. This extravagant and friendly resort with its fusion of Asian and Mexican hospitality is just a stone’s throw from the beaches and ruins of Tulum. As if my private pool, bathtub, and outdoor whirlpool in my Serenity Pool Villa weren’t enough to lull me into a Zen-like state, The Rainforest with its unique combination of hydrothermal circuit of hot and cold thermal cabins is designed to allow guests the red-carpet treatment on their path to wellness. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked down a winding path of stones through their cascading indoor rainstorm. The blend of cool and warm water made me feel as if I was leaving everything behind and discovering a new landscape of tranquility. Once I completed my Rain Walk, I explored an aromatic steam chamber followed by a detoxifying hammam, covered myself in therapeutic mud in the sensory Rasul, and then washed it all off in a refreshing Bucket Drench Shower. This was just the start of the completely immersive guilty spa pleasure. There were additional sauna chambers, steam rooms, an ice fountain, and vitality pools with restorative acupressure jets and waterfalls galore. The Personal Hydro Experience (60 min/$75) gives you roughly an hour in the Rainforest. For an additional cost you can add a choice of their Banyan Tree Massages. Whether it’s Ayurvedic, Balinese, lomi lomi, or a traditional Swedish, they’ve got you covered. Signature Banyan Tree Spa massages include the Royal Banyan Treatment utilizing East-meets-West techniques and a herbal pouch dipped in warm Sesame Oil. Something especially unique about the Banyan Tree Mayakoba Spa is their use of Melipona Honey gathered from local Mexican bees. The Honey’s Oil is a classic recipe for detoxifying and healing the body. www.banyantreespa.com
—Jeffrey James Keyes
