Spas with a native twist
Don’t just ask for a generic facial or body wrap. Next time you’re on the road, bliss out at spas that offer treatments with a native twist.
ARUBA: The Larimar Spa at the Radisson Aruba, www.radisson.com/aruba, uses a massage lotion made up of lime, liquid aloe vera and fiery local rum. We’re not sure what therapeutic qualities rum has when administered externally, but after 80 minutes of kneading you’ll feel as mellow as a mojito. Just don’t go near a naked flame.
ROTORUA: To heal their wounds, ancient Maori warriors bathed in the thermal mud pools found in this part of New Zealand’s North Island. Centuries later, you can still try out the mud’s curative powers. The Hells Gate Wai Ora Spa, www.hellsgate.co.nz, offers private mud baths and a range of therapies including the Wai Ora Spa Massage, which incorporates indigenous miri miri massage techniques and a special incantation known as a karakia.
TAOS: Immerse yourself in the healing arts of New Mexico’s Native American heritage with the High Desert Body Treatment at El Monte Sagrado, www.elmontesagrado.com. Your body is exfoliated with a Zuni Indian salt mixture, then covered in mineral-rich volcanic ash to draw out the toxins. The final stage is an invigorating massage with sage lotion.
SAN CASSIANO: For a mountain high, head to the Daniela Steiner Beauty Spa at the Hotel Rosa Alpina, www.rosalpina.it, a charming hideaway in the Dolomites. After a bath scented with alpine flowers, you’ll be massaged with warm oil in which locally gathered pine needles have been steeped. There’s also a body wrap using essence of arnica, a Dolomites flower traditionally used in the preparation of healing tinctures.