5 of the Best Spa Destinations in Southeast Asia
Relax and unwind in luxury at one of these world-class Southeast Asian spas, each one notable for their stunning natural settings.
A health and wellness spa holiday aims to eliminate the stresses and strains of modern life, while offering a choice of treatments for the mind, body and soul.
For many, a spa break is an investment in the future, delivering benefits long after the holiday has ended.
In recent years, South and Southeast Asia have risen to prominence in the realm of luxury spas, with a clutch of superbly-run facilities offering a wealth of treatments, from Ayurvedic medicine to meditation, yoga to pilates.
Here are five of the very best Asian spas - all of them notable for their stunning natural environments, as well as their luxurious and rejuvenating treatments.
If you’re looking for a high-end spa in Asia, one of these establishments could be perfect.
The Farm at San Benito, Philippines
- Health and healing retreats
- Detoxes
- Award-winning plant-based cuisine
- Integrated medical services
Set in 48 hectares of verdant jungle against a mountain backdrop, The Farm at San Benito offers a range of health and well-being treatments aimed at improving its guests' physical and mental state, tackling specific health challenges and promising revitalisation that lasts long after returning home.
More than simply a place to relax and unwind, The Farm offers comprehensive programmes that aim to ease issues such as diabetes, depression and obesity.
Guests enjoy the support of medical professionals, yoga teachers and plant-based food experts.
Recent therapy additions include the Acqua Sanctuary hydrotherapy centre and Holistic Sanctuary integrative medical centre.
The Farm has won numerous awards, including “Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World” from SENSES Germany. Despite its high profile, The Farm is one of the more affordable options on this list.
This spa resort has 33 villas and suites to choose from, each with its own unique style.
Cost: Around £430 for 3 nights.
The Datai Langkawi – Langkawi, Malaysia
- Tropical island setting
- Surrounded by ancient rainforest
- Traditional Chinese Medicine programme
- Acupuncture, yoga and traditional Malay healing therapy
Located on the beautiful Malaysian island of Langkawi, the 5-star Datai Langkawi is notable for its stunning rainforest setting and being just a short distance from a sandy, jungle-fringed bay.
Guests can soak up the silence of the natural environment or partake in one of the many therapies and wellness programmes.
There are swimming pools and even a golf course - just five minutes away.
The dense jungle is home to a myriad of wildlife, including dusky langurs, Sunda colugos (flying lemurs) and geckos.
Guests can also indulge in Ramuan, the ancient Malay healing therapy that harnesses local ingredients - from rainforest, mangrove and sea.
The spa's villas and suites present contemporary comfort while taking cues from the natural jungle environment.
Cost: Around £1,500 for 3 nights.
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Amanpuri – Phuket, Thailand
- Located beside a stunning white-sand beach
- Holistic Wellness Centre offering Thai healing arts
- Tailored treatments
- Sauna, pools and jacuzzi
Among the many spa hotels in Thailand, Phuket's Amanpuri ranks near the top. Set beside a stunning white sandy beach, guests can enjoy a wide range of wellness, spa and fitness programmes while surrounded by the beauty of the Andaman Sea coast and the inspiring jungle hinterland.
Amanpuri fuses old and new approaches to health and well-being, with traditional Thai healing arts, body massage, immersions, treatments and personal fitness programmes. You can even try the world-famous Muay Thai boxing during your stay.
And as a leading spa hotel in Thailand, you can expect more familiar resort pleasures, including swimming pools, a sauna and a jacuzzi.
Cost: Around £3,000 for 3 nights.
COMO Shambhala Estate – Bali, Indonesia
- Award-winning retreat surrounded by rainforest
- Many programmes - from yoga to stress management
- Focus on healthful cuisine
- Located in Ubud, a hugely popular spot for a spa in Asia
Located in Bali's lush green heart, Ubud is something of a health-and-wellbeing mecca, and as such is home to many retreats.
Among these, COMO Shambhala Estate offers one of the more luxurious experiences, located between two mighty rivers and set among stunning tropical rainforest.
Restorative wellness programmes are tailored to each guest's needs and desires and include Pilates, meditation, yoga, massage and stress management.
Between sessions, you can explore the beauty of the local area, with rice paddy walks and visits to the world capital of alternative therapies, Ubud.
Each visit to this leading Asian spa begins with a consultation from an expert, who will guide you on your health and wellness journey at COMO Shambhala.
Cost: Around £1,950 for 3 nights.
Ananda in the Himalayas – Uttarakhand, India
- Located by Northern India's spiritual capital, Rishikesh
- One of the most luxurious wellness resorts in the world
- Traditional and contemporary treatments
- Focus on meditation and yoga
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and enveloped by the Sal forest, Ananda in the Himalayas has developed a reputation as one of the leading luxury wellness retreats in the world. Its opulent feel is underpinned by its position on a 100-acre Maharaja's palace estate, while the resort's 'mind, body and soul' credentials are enhanced by its location near Rishikesh on the Ganges River Valley.
Alongside traditional Ayurveda medicine and holistic therapies, the retreat maintains a focus on health-boosting food, yoga, meditation and emotional healing.
Ananda creates a personal plan for each guest, who is supported by a team of international health experts, as well as local Ayurvedic and yogic masters.
If you’re looking for a top spa in Asia, Ananda ticks all the boxes in terms of luxury and reputation - although it is pricey.
Cost: £6,925 for 5 nights (minimum stay) equivalent to £4,150+ for 3 nights.
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