ASIA

The Peninsula Spa, Tokyo, Japan
Five-star finesse with a signature Keihatsu Enlightenment massage

Oberoi Mauritius
Soak up a little history and culture with a back massage

La Plantation d’Albion Club Med, Mauritius
A new spa with outdoor treatments and range of activities

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
A sought-after foot specialist and a groom with a spectacular view

The Peninsula Spa by Espa, Hong Kong
Chic idyll with pampering pre-treatment area in the heart of the frenetic city

The Oriental Spa, Bangkok, Thailand
One divine night in Bangkok with all the trimmings

Wat Pho Thai Massage School, Bangkok
Firm but fair treatment among saffron robes of Buddist monks

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Ko Samui, Thailand
A totally tropical retreat that focuses on inner well-being

Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok, Thailand
Lomi Lomi massage and different scents in the air every day

Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Thailand’s most fashionable spa resort

The Evason Hideaway, Hua Hin, Thailand
It took four Thai youths 50 minutes to prepare my massage space

Tembok Spa, Bali
Indulgent 50-minute facials and papaya body wraps at under £15

Taj Green Cove spa, Kerala, India
Yoga virgin is gently seduced at a seaside spa in Kerala

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala, India
A serious yogic regimen in simple but serene locale

Ananda Spa, Uttaranchal, India
An exclusive spa offering 79 body and beauty treatments

Banyan Tree Spa at Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India
Attentive staff oversee cliff-edge pools and spicy body wraps

The Kanuhura Veyoge spa, Maldives
Star sign linked pampering on paradise island

AFRICA

Palais Rhoul and Spa, Marrakesh, Morocco
A hamman with orange segments and acrobatics

In:spa, Marrakesh, Morocco
My group is a mixed bag of fitness, fatness and gestation

Kasbah Tamadot Spa, Morocco
A steamy retreat in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains

Maison MK Spa, Marrakech
Sand, argan oil and rosewater are key ingredients at a spa in a stylish new riad

Hasdrubal Thalassa Hotel, Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia
Thalassotherapy is always top of the Tunisian spa menu

Masai Wellbeing Space, Kenya
The location and the Masai touches are its trump cards

Hippo Point, Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Surely the only spa where the hippos eat the garden

The Oberoi Zahra cruise spa, Egypt
Tip-top treatments aboard a new ship that does the Nile in style

The Sahl Hasheesh, Red Sea, Egypt
An excellent hair cut followed by the most delicious pregnancy rub

Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
On its own private quay at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Bushmans Kloof, South Africa
Outdoor treatment rooms and activities galore

Camps Bay Retreat, Cape Town, South Africa
Superb value treatments for two in sun-dappled outdoor rooms

Camelot Spa at Le Franschhoek Hotel, South Africa
A super therapist at a spa surrounded by mountains and vineyards

Twelve Apsotles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town
A spa where earth, sea and sky meet, apparently


NORTH AMERICA

Bliss Spa, San Francisco
A funky space-age spa in the city's W Hotel

East Canyon Hotel and Spa, Palm Springs, California
The classiest of 40 gay spas in the area

Boca Raton Resort and Club, Florida
Past clients have included George Dubya Bush. Enough said?

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Awakening journeys and global treatments at de luxe spa

Cowshed Spa at Soho House, New York
Cool treatments for both sexes in a retro-modern spa

La Prairie at the Ritz Carlton, New York
High-class gold and caviar treatments fit for Bond girls

Bliss SoHo, New York
A hip, ultra-modern day spa in the heart of the boutique district

G Spa Hotel Gansevoort, New York
A hip urban spa that quite literally raises the bar come nightfall

Mandarin Oriental Spa, New York
Vitamin facials and vertiginous views for ladies who lunch

Aerospa, Gramercy Park Hotel, New York
Two treatments rooms and plenty of treats at this minimalist spa

Dorit Baxter's, New York
A day spa that's a bit frayed at the edges but hugely likeable

Juvenex Spa, New York
Like most round-the-clock places, the spa had a slightly surreal air

Four Seasons Resort Spa, Whistler, Canada
Apres-ski treatments at Whistler's smartest address

CARIBBEAN

Lapli Spa, St Lucia
Food for the soul at a spa with seasonal treatments

Cotton Bay Village, St Lucia
Hot stones, a personal butler, Atlantic views and lots of seaweed

LeSport, St Lucia, Caribbean
A feast of yoga and fresh food

Sandy Lane, Barbados
I watch the sky and wait to be brought fresh fruit kebabs.

The Silver Rain Spa, Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, Caribbean
Silver rain facials are to die for at this palace of pampering

Bali Leha Spa, Necker Island, Caribbean
Only one guest at a time uses the spa

Parrot Cay Spa, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies
Salmon treatments and Dr Perricone age-defying facials

THE REST OF THE WORLD

The Daniel Hotel, Dead Sea, Israel
Week-long health programmes in curative waters

Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, Jordan
Holy mud baths at this serene five-star hotel

Faena Hotel + Universe Spa, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spa at a fashionable docklands hotel designed by Philippe Starck

Ahin Spa, Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A slick spa with a large pool offers original, good-value treatments

Aqua Vita Medical Spa, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Facials start at £15 facial in a smart but down-at-heel spa in Recoleta

Ponta dos Ganchos, Ganchos de Fora, Cep, Brazil
Tent treatments and fresh-air therapy at a Christian Dior spa

Body & Soul Adventures, Brazil
Down the coast from Rio in a hilly rainforest teeming with exotic wildlife

Angsana, Palm Cove, Australia
A palm-fringed beach backdrop for power massage to beat jetlag

qualia, Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia
Treatments with ancient stones at a beautiful contemporary spa hideaway

Payot Paris Day Spa, Qantas First Lounge, Sydney Airport, Australia
Pre-flight pampering that comes at a hefty price

Spa Chakra, Sydney, Australia
Get the full Swan Lake treatment with views of Sydney Harbour

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