News and Reviews
Deluxe Treatments. Amanda Byram Tests Three of the Best
By Amanda ByramAmanda Byram tests three of the best luxury spa treatments.
Juliet Kinsman – Top 10 Spa Treatments
By Juliet KinsmanJuliet Kinsman, editor-in-chief Mr & Mrs Smith boutique travel specialists, reveals her favourite spa treatments.
Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial at BeautyWorksWest, Notting Hill, London
By Juliet KinsmanI experienced this extra-special 50-minute facial recently and it was honestly like a mini facelift (thank you to the recommendation of lovely local, Naihala Lasharie, who I actually met in Trancoso, Brazil – small world). Especially welcome the month before my wedding.
The Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Programme at Ananda, Himalayas
By Lisa BrownSet in a breathtaking national park at the Himalayan foothills, just 40 minutes from the yoga world capital of Rishikesh (some serious ‘omm’ going on here – it’s where The Beatles first met the Maharishi) The Ananda is one of the finest destination spas in Asia.
Tailor Made Facials – Anne Semonin at The Pavilion Spa, Cliveden, UK
By Lindsay FrankelA Secret Garden-style doorway reveals a walled garden with outdoor swimming pool where the Pavilion Spa is tucked away. Loungers sit around both the indoor and outdoor pools so, despite being less than an hour out of London, the tranquil setting is a haven of peace and calm. The spa offers an impressive range of treatments using Anne Semonin and Carita products, as well as a pregnancy menu using Mama Mio.
The Spa Treatment Glossary
Spa & beauty treatments explained.
Immune Boosting Juices to Help You Through Winter, by Rosemary Ferguson
By Rosemary FergusonModel turned nutritionist Rosemary (previously campaign star of Miu Miu and Prada, cover girl of Vogue and The Face, and runway muse of every designer from Galliano to McQueen) is also an author, writer and mum of three beautiful girls!
Amanda Byram Finds Inner Peace at Chiva Som, Thailand
By Amanda ByramThere is something about the traditional Thai salutation I find mesmerising. Upon crossing someones’ path, you smile and greet them with warm eye contact and gently bow your head with your hands pressed together as though in prayer. It acknowledges others respectfully and nudges you to abandon the million-and-one other thoughts coursing through your synapses. In many ways it’s exactly like Chiva Som.
Review – Raw Food Dining at The Life Co, Antalya, Turkey
By Amanda ByramThe LifeCo’s Saf Restaurant features delicious, healthy, low-calorie, plant-based dishes and meals. Only natural ingredients are used in the dishes, which are cooked below 41°C to protect their flavour, aroma and nutritional value. By not overheating the ingredients, they retain their energy-giving enzymes and the vitamins and minerals are not damaged. This also helps our cells to become repaired and renewed.
Six Senses Lands in Europe at Douro Valley, Portugal
By Laura IvillAt last, Six Senses has arrived in Europe with its first resort and spa on the continent, and they couldn’t have chosen a more beautifully tranquil, picturesque spot. “Remote yet accessible” is the Six Senses motto, and the Douro Valley is just that.
A Different Kind of Bootcamp at The Body Camp, Ibiza
By Toni JonesWhile days at The Body Camp are taken up with fitness activities, motivational talks and super food cookery classes the evenings are yours to indulge in a more gentle kind of self-development with pampering sessions and holistic therapies like Reiki, reflexology, acupuncture or even counselling available.
UK Countryside Retreats: Five of the Best
By Lisa BrownOur round-up of five of the best UK countryside retreats.
Three Top Treatments for a Party Season Preen
By Lisa BrownThe party season is back! We look at some of the best treatments.
Review – European Deep Cleansing Facial – The Peninsula Spa, New York
By Juliet KinsmanThere are facials (‘mmm, relaxing, lovely…’) and there are facials (‘mmm, relaxing, lovely… and wow! I actually look so much better!’). My spell at the 23nd-floor Peninsula Spa treated me to the latter oh-my-goodness-I-can-actually-see-the-results-immediately reaction. And I got to enjoy some pampering and precious downtime on a work trip to one of the world’s most full-on cities…
Review – A Pampering Haven – Homewood Hotel & Spa
By Behiye HassanWith its Roman-built baths, such as the world-famous Thermae Spa, the city of Bath has been a favourite destination for spa breaks for literally centuries. However just outside the city, in the village of Freshford, you’ll find an equally lovely proposition, in the boutique hotel Homewood.
Set amid 20 secluded acres of country landscape, this Georgian country house, a member of the Mrs & Mrs Smith collection and Small Luxury Hotels of The World for 2021, instantly transports you from bustling city to the calm of the countryside.
Review – Jessica Vince Tests Ila’s New Gold Cellular Age-Restore Facial
By Jessica VinceDon’t get me wrong, holidays are truly wonderful but my skin often suffers once I’m back home. All that SPF means blocked pores, heat rash leads to blotchiness and the flight home can cause troublesome outbreaks. Lovely! Add a sprinkling of sun damage and I’m in need of a complexion overhaul.
Review – Juliet Kinsman Tests the Skin Specific Facial by Elemis at the Waterbeach Spa, Goodwood Hotel
By Juliet KinsmanSnoring is not usually an endorsement. In fact, nodding off is generally not received as the greatest sign of appreciation. But my 60-minute facial at Goodwood Hotel was about as relaxing as time supine can be, says Juliet Kinsman, and I couldn’t help falling sound asleep…