While we are experts in creating a spa retreat right at home with our Smart Shower with steam, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at spas around the world; those in unexpected or lesser-known places. We might not be able to travel right now, but we certainly can enjoy these spas from afar:
Forest Spa at the Bwindi Lodge in Uganda
If you want the adventure of a lifetime and a remote spa getaway all in one trip, consider the Bwindi Lodge in Uganda. The lodge offers a variety of activities, such as a gorilla trek, after which you’ll receive a complimentary 30-minute massage in your choice of the spa or your private room. There are eight private bandas, or bungalows, for guests, each with its own luxury shower, sitting area, and terrace overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Try the African Rungu Massage, which uses a rungu, a Maasai throwing club carved out of eucalyptus wood. This treatment uses long strokes and deep pressure to reduce soreness and improve blood circulation.
Image: www.visitgreenland.com
Hotel Sisimiut – Sisimiut, Greenland
Hotel Sisimiut, located some 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is so remote that it requires a three-hour snowmobile ride from the airport just to get there. High temperatures in the summer reach just 18 degrees Fahrenheit. So why go? Here at the top of the world, there is little chance of running into your grumpy boss or complaining in-laws, and, it’s the hub of adventure travel in the region.
Fly fish for Arctic char in pristine rivers, hike through breathtaking mountains, or join a dog sled excursion and glide through the endless fresh powder. Although Hotel Sisimiut is not a luxury resort, you will find everything you need for a pleasant stay.
Image: www.pacuarelodge.com
Jawa Juu Spa in Pacuare, Costa Rica
The Pacuare Lodge is surrounded by the rainforest with treatments inspired by the ancient traditions of the indigenous Cabecar culture. Offerings include holistic massages, reiki and rituals with aromatherapy, sound therapy and yoga.
As Costa Rica is known for its coffee, consider the spa’s Invigorating Coffee Exfoliation for silky smooth skin. A body cream infused with orange essence is applied after the treatment for refreshed and renewed skin.
Image: www.mombo.co.uk
Mombo Camp – Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Mombo Camp, set in a very remote area of Africa within the Moremi Game Reserve of Botswana, is a big-game camp that is accessed only by a small, local airstrip. Of course, it’s worth the long trek as you’ll be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience viewing rhinos, elephants, hyenas, and leopards that frequently stroll by the camp’s luxurious tents.
The camp’s main living, bar and dining areas are under thatch, and you’ll enjoy tasty dinners right under the stars as well as the opportunity to soak your cares away in the plunge pools.
Image: www.aman.com
Amanoi – Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Aman Resorts is world-renowned for its remote properties, though this one in Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam is definitely a standout. Amanoi is a tranquil beachside resort that sits on a beautiful white-sand beach overlooking the bay in Núi Chúa National Park, protecting 29,000+ hectares of pristine coastal and marine habitats. Nestled in the park that’s packed with jaw-dropping views, the collection of luxury hillside pavilions come complete with outdoor decks as well as floor-to-ceiling windows.
Guests also have the luxury of swimming in private pools and indulging in a variety of treatments at the 20,000 square-foot spa set at the foot of a sprawling, lotus-filled lake. To get there, you’ll need to take an hour and 45-minute flight from Hanoi followed by a scenic 90-minute drive to Vinh Hy Bay.
