by joanna on February 2, 2010
A minimalist urban sanctuary on the Bund
I had read about the Evian Spa several times over the last couple of years, but somehow never found the time to visit. I often go to Shanghai for work, but it is all rushing around to meetings and work dinners…so while I have often had the opportunity to dine luxuriously, it was always harder to find time to relax. But one of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to create balance in my life. Yes, I work hard…a lot of us do…but I made a commitment to carve out time for self care in 2010 and so on my most recent trip to Shanghai I made a point to visit the Evian Spa in Shanghai. [keep reading…]
by joanna on January 14, 2010
An endless array of holistic therapies at this tranquil island spa
I generally have a rule of not visiting the same place twice. I prefer to expand my horizons and challenge myself to see and do new things. However, I recently returned to Kamalaya in Koh Samui. Our more dedicated readers may remember I went to Kamalaya last year to do a detox program. Well, this year when the time came to take a break after a seriously demanding year, I could think of no better place to do it than Kamalaya Koh Samui. In fact, Kamalaya wellness retreat is of such a high standard of excellence that I can foresee returning again and again. [keep reading…]
by joanna on January 12, 2010
A modern oasis of calm on bustling Petchaburi Road
I have said it before, but will say it again….I believe spa treatments are not a luxury, but rather an integral part of taking care of oneself. Not only do they promote relaxation, but depending on the treatment one has it can stimulate circulation, release knotted muscles, condition and rejuvenate the skin, reduce local muscle and joint inflammation and more… To that end, there is no shortage of spas in Bangkok, but my experience is there are a lot of places in Bangkok where massage are spa treatments are offered where the aestheticians are not so skilled and perhaps not appropriately trained. This is why word of mouth counts for everything in Bangkok and why we would like to tell you about the Sivara Spa. [keep reading…]
by Paul on September 25, 2009
Laser Hair Removal always seemed like a frivolous expense, reserved only for those in the upper tax bracket… that is until I moved to Asia. Here a full set of LHR treatments cost about as much as getting a pair of glasses, and if things go correctly it’ll last you much longer.
[keep reading…]
by joanna on August 25, 2009
A bit of rejuvenation after a hard week for Paul and me :)
It was a banner week for Paul and me – from flying back from Sri Lanka on Tues and landing at 6am (and with me going straight to the office and facilitating an all-day workshop) to then putting on our first event the very next day….by the time Saturday arrived, we were in all honesty, shells of our usual selves. Tired, achy with that unmistakeable pale pallor of sheer exhaustion…we landed on the doorstep of Divine MedSpa in hopes of some rejuvenation. [keep reading…]
by joanna on July 31, 2009
Be pampered within an inch of your life at the St Regis Bali Resort
With its opening in early 2009, this all suite hotel on the secluded barrier island of Nusa Dua changed the face of luxury in Bali. Typically I prefer a more modern design hotel…something spare and minimalist. Some of my favorites being The Library in Koh Samui, Thailand or The Delano in Miami’s South Beach area. But somehow the plush, Balinese meets Upper East Side Manhattan environment of the St Regis Resort Bali made me reconsider my usual defaults. Not only was I staying in a massive resort (usually a no go for me), but I was also staying in the secluded, gated, high-end tourist area of Nusa Dua (usually I prefer the quirky vibe of Ubud) – and I was LOVING it. I didn’t want to leave and let me tell you why… [keep reading…]
by joanna on June 11, 2009
Is investing in regular massage really worth it?
For me, massage has been part of my anti-stress and wellness routine for several years now. Rather than an indulgence, I treat it as another tool to take care of myself. After having some shoulder and neck problems for the last 15 years and seeing Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physical Therapists and even being told I should have back surgery by a very well-known orthopedic surgeon in New York, I stumbled upon massage as a solution. [keep reading…]
by joanna on June 3, 2009
A well-priced day spa in the heart of Sukhumvit
In Bangkok massage spas / salons are like 7 Eleven convenience stores….there’s one (or five) on every street and the offerings are typically inexpensive and fairly consistent. Now of course I am speaking about “proper” massage spas…I personally have a rule about spas in Bangkok – if there is the bevy of lovely ladies standing outside selling the services, I usually keep walking as these are more….ahem…dedicated to “special” male services. If it is a dignified exterior without flashing signs or ladies, then 9 times out of 10 it is a legitimate massage spa.
(all pictures from Lavana Spa website)
[keep reading…]
by joanna on March 19, 2009
I needed some time-off. Time off from the world, from long work days followed by longer dinners, from my computer(s), from my cell phone, from happy hour cocktails… I wanted a real break where I could nourish my body and empty my mind. I did a lot of research and asked around….I was thinking maybe yoga ashram in India, maybe Chinese medicine retreat in Northern Thailand…in the end I discovered the best of both worlds, Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand. [keep reading…]
by joanna on March 15, 2009
A sea-side pampering spa experience (main photo by Joanna, others from Anantara Web Site).
I am typically a little suspect about high end spas in Thailand simply because you can go anywhere and get a quality massage for $8USD. However, being a spa junkie I am always open to try both high-end and low-end experiences, as you never know what you will discover. And sometimes, as Anantara Hua Hin has proven, it is completely worth paying more for. [keep reading…]
