I’m a fan of spas these days because of my belief in the power of integrated health and motion…..meaning the body must be in motion in order to be healthy. Motion means fitness, exercise to keep acidic build up in the body at bay.
Massage also helps stimulate glands and move toxins out of the body, so while massage and everything in its peripheral is never a good substitute for exercise, its an incredible supplemental and oh by the way, spas can be incredibly relaxing. And, balancing.
Conde Naste Traveler did a write up on their top 35 spas in the world for 2012. They cover nearly every continent. Here’s their list. And, of course, I have included my wish list after reading the list.
I base the wish list on my own experience with traveling to and research on the country’s culture and way and thinking and/or if I’ve been there personally.
And of course, I’ve included my favorite photos as well….enticing ones that will want you to jump on an airplane sooner rather than later. Europe wins hands down in the number of spas who make the list.
Photo: Nira Spa in Switzerland
South America
- Beaux, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Spa Noi, Hotel Noi Vitacura,Santiago de Chile
- Uma Spa, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine in Chile
- Heavenly Spa, Westin Lima, Lima, Peru
China
- Mission Hills Mineral Springs and Spa, Hainan
- Kerry Hotel Spa, Shanghai
- Spa at the Sanctuary, Cap Cana
Europe
- ESPAlife at Corinthia, Corinthia Hotel, London, England
- St. Pancras Spa, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, England
- Spa Nuxe Les Bains de Lea, Grand Hotel Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, Paris, France
- Spa My Blend by Clarins, Le Royal Monceau Raffles, Paris, France
- Pure Altitude Spa, Altapura, Val Thorens, France
- Spa Museum, Nun Assisi Relais and Spa Museum, Assisi, Italy
- Armani/Spa, Milan, Italy
- Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, L’And Vineyards Resort, Alentejo, Portugal
- ESPA, at the Istanbul Edition, Istanbul, Turkey
- Nira Spa, Nira Alpina, Surlej, Switzerland
- Wellness, Backstage Hotel Vernissage, Zermatt, Switzerland
Photo: ESPALife, London
India
- Akasha Wellbeing Center, Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel
- Atarmia Spa, Park Hyatt Beach and Villas, Abu Dhabi
- Talise Ottoman Spa, Dubai
- Sea Spa at Long Beach Mauritius Resort, Belle Mare
Seychelles
- Raffles Spa, Praslin Island, Seychelles
- Banyan Tree Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
- Luxsa Spa at the Hansar, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo: BanyanTree, Singapore
United States
- Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, Los Angeles
- Elle Spa, Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida
- Laniwai, Aulani, Oahu, Hawaii
- NoMI Spa, Park Hyatt Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Tree Spa at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, Maine
- Kiehl’s Spa 1851, New York City
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
