AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

105

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bat, g i v i n g a l m s t o
monks. C L O C K W I S E
FROM LEFT: Amantaka
has transformed from a
French hospital to a luxury
a b o d e ; t h e s e c l u d e d
Mekong Spa at Belmond
La Résidence Phou Vao;
enjoy tranquillity by the
central pool at Amantaka

July/August 2017 AsiaSpa

I wake the next morning and stroll around the gardens where red

brick walls try to contain the lush vegetation, dark ponds sprout pink

lotus flowers and soaring bamboo casts shade. In the dark turquoise

pool I accompany the dragonflies dive-bombing the surface of the

water, and after a few lazy laps head to breakfast poolside to eat

Lao’s version of pho (noodle soup) and croissants.

The spa manager discusses the heritage of the dry Lao Traditional

Massage with me, which he shares was developed by novice

monks healing senior monks of their aches and pains. I head to the

secluded Mekong Spa after a digestive pause, treatment villas and

planter chairs overlooking the lotus pond and lap pool. I have a

cup of bael tea beside the reception’s Buddha statue before being

led to the treatment villa. My caring therapist’s massage echoes

techniques I’ve experienced in Thailand but with less stretching and

more gentleness, which releases surprising tears of pent-up fatigue

and emotion. She checks at intervals to see if I’m all right, and by

the end I feel as if a weight has lifted and I could sleep for a week.

http://www.belmond.com

AMANTAKA

From the lofty, leafy Belmond I head (all of five minutes) downtown

to Amantaka and the brand’s signature spacious perfection. The

former French hospital has been beautifully cossetted into a luxury

abode, its high-ceilinged buildings and breezy architecture converted

into beautiful acre-sized suites with private pools, a restaurant and

spa. The signature grey-green of the shutters, doors and furnishings

is beautifully restful, complemented by the monochrome temple

photography by local photographer Hans Georg Berger. The vast,

central pool reflects the tranquillity, coming alive at night with the

glow of hundreds of candles.