Mission A long winter spent hunched over my desk had left me with shoulder pain and muscular knots that even Popeye couldn’t untangle. Urgently in need of a postural MoT and a vitamin D infusion, I decided to see if the spa at the Oberoi Mauritius could revive me.

USP This spa is designed to refresh mind and soul as well as the body, and its Touching the Senses programme offers to “reawaken the senses” of guests and to broaden their understanding of Mauritian culture. I joined a painting class on the beach and went on a nature walk around the grounds, learning from a botanist about the plants, wildlife and history of the area. I also took lessons in cookery, the Hindu religion, and star-gazed with an enthusiastic amateur astronomer. It doesn’t get much better than standing on a moonlit beach looking through a telescope at the rings around Saturn.

Ambience The Banyan Tree spa lies at one end of the resort and looks out on to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Like all the Oberoi’s buildings, the spa is designed to blend into the 20 acres of subtropical gardens that surround it. It has a sugar cane-thatched roof and walls made from volcanic boulders. The intended effect is harmony with nature; I think it’s more redolent of The Flintstones. Tranquil and private, the only sounds are wind chimes, running water and chattering birds and, if it rains at night, a chorus of frogs.

Quality of experience I had a vigorous back massage that left me bruised and sore for two days. After advice that the foot massage was not for the fainthearted, I ordered an off-menu reflexology session instead. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep, the best endorsement an insomniac can give.

Products Everything is natural, with many of the oils and scrubs derived from the plants and trees growing in the grounds. Notable is the “paillas-son scrub”, which uses an entire coconut (pictured below).

In-crowd Passing dignitaries (the President of India was a guest) rub shoulders with celebrities, such as the French actress Emmanuelle Béart, a recent visitor. As for us mere mortals, the clientele is almost exclusively made up of British honeymooners and retired couples.

Food The Oberoi’s dinner menu is a fusion of Creole, European and Asian dishes, offering, for example, foie gras, grilled fish and thalis. As sugar is the island’s main export, desserts are a highlight.

Wallet watch Seasons in Style (01244 202 000, www.seasonsinstyle.co.uk) offers 7 nights at the Oberoi Mauritius in a Luxury Villa with Private Pool, on a bed & breakfast basis including flights from London and private transfers from £3,725 per person (based on 2 adults sharing). Valid 16 April – 30 September 2007.

Need to know Oberoi Mauritius, Baie aux Tortues, Pointe aux Piments, Mauritius (00 230 204 3600; log on to www.oberoihotels.com for further details).

Cultural spas Somatheeram & Manaltheeram

South of Kovalam, India; www.somatheeram.org. A regular winner of the Keralan Government’s award for best Ayurvedic centre, these resorts offer treatments, lectures on Ayurvedic philosophy, yoga, sightseeing and menus according to your ayurvedic type or “dosha”.

Waiora Spa

Bangkok, Thailand; www.waioraspa.com For the lowdown on Maori culture head to . . . Bangkok. Relax with New Zealand mud, traditional Maori massage and Manuka honey tea.

For more than 200 reviews of spas worldwide visit Times Online's Good Spa Guide

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