AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

July/August 2017 AsiaSpa 115

on a huge over-water hammock at the side
of the restaurant and watch the sun go down
while sipping cocktails.
At their 800sqm Iridium Spa are eight
treatment rooms and two couple rooms.
Guests are led along a black-marbled
walkway before entering the bright treatment
room with beige furnishings set against dark
wood and marble walls.
One of their signature treatments is The
Malaya which is a spa journey born out
of the rich heritage of traditional beauty
rituals inspired by the royal palaces of
Malay sultanate. Each therapeutic treatment
contains a nourishing blend of carefully

curated traditional botanicals that makes the

skin sparkle. For couples seeking a luxurious

resort that is comparatively smaller and

quieter on the outskirts of Kuah town, St.

Regis fits the bill.

http://www.stregis.com

V BOTANICAL SPA AT THE ANDAMAN

The Andaman has the advantage of being

secluded in the northwestern part of the

island sandwiched between an unspoilt

beach and an age-old rainforest. The resort

architecture pays tribute to the rich culture

and tradition of Kedah, one of 13 states in

Malaysia, and the lobby is styled after the

Balai Nobat, a performance hall for the royal

orchestra. The Andaman has been recreating

itself over the last 20 years, with a new

coral reef conservation effort – do drop by

the coral nursery to find out more. Being so

close to nature, their morning and evening

walks are highlights. Also new is their

Jala restaurant where the floor is covered

with sand and you are encouraged to dine

barefoot. Seafood is brought in fresh from

the sea daily and you just need to pick what

you want and tell the chef how you want

it cooked. A candlelit dinner at Jala by the

beach makes for a memorable experience.

The resort’s V Botanical Spa offers one

of the best pampering experiences on

the island. Their six open-air rooms are

perched on a hill overlooking the sea, and

your sessions are often punctuated by the

sounds of whooping monkeys and the waves

lapping the shore.

Their spa menu is quite extensive and

one of the signature treatments is the Song

of the Malay Rainforest ritual based on local

healing traditions using plants and medicinal

herbs. The three-hour session includes a

scrub, body wrap, floral bath, traditional

Malay massage and facial.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com

THE GEO SPA AT FOUR

SEASONS RESORT LANGKAWI

After 12 years of setting a benchmark for resorts

on the island, the owners of Four Seasons Resort

Langkawi thought it might be timely to do a

makeover. All the buildings on property are

given a new coat of blue paint that reminds one

of Chefchaouen, the blue town in Morocco. In

Langkawi, that might be a bit out of context and

returning guests may actually miss the beige

and clay-red colours of old.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Practise yoga surrounded

by nature at The Andaman;

the Iridium Spa exudes

the brand’s signature

elegance; The Geo Spa

at Four Seasons Langkawi

faces million-year-old

limestone hills; The Westin

Langkawi is a favorite

among business travellers;

breathtaking sea view from

the V Botanical Spa