For some people a spa holiday is all about the spa. After an exfoliating facial or seaweed body wrap they’re happy to lie on the beach or lounge by the pool till the next treatment. But not everybody who wants a spa holiday is happy for it to be the sole focus of their stay. If that sounds like you, check out this round-up of ten fabulous spa hotels. All come recommended by British Airways Holidays and have plenty more to offer once they’ve pummelled, polished and pampered you to perfection.
1
Best for having a flutter: Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA
Bellagio
Bellagio is a perfect slice of everything glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas has to offer. The hotel’s spa is first rate, with the Watsu Massage - combining stretches of Zen Shiatsu with the element of water – a particular favourite. But Bellagio also offers spectacular shows, the famous fountains, and one of the most impressive casinos in a city with more than its fair share of them.
2
Best for chilling out: Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa, Dominican Republic
Dreams Punta Cana
Dreams Punta Cana is well named, because it is certainly a spa lover’s dream. Alongside traditional Swedish saunas, steam rooms and a cold plunge pool, enjoy the truly memorable experience of an outdoor massage overlooking wonderful sea views. But Dreams Punta Cana is more than a spa; it is almost a temple to relaxation. After your treatment unwind in the Zen relaxation garden, or take a dip in the Dominican Republic’s largest free-form swimming pool.
3
Best for star-spotters: Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, Portugal
Tivoli Marina Vilamoura
Celebrities are drawn to the delightful Algarve town of Vilamoura like moths to a glowing flame. They come for the wonderful marina, high-end shopping and first rate golf, as well as the town’s lively social life and popular casino. The Angsana Spa is set in the relaxing gardens of the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, and offers a vast range of invigorating treatments for guests preparing for big nights out or lazy afternoons on the course.
Advertisement
4
Best for foodies: Ikos Oceania, Greece
Ikos Oceania
The resort’s wonderful spa offers any numbers of ways to relax, but the recently renovated Ikos Oceania in Halkidiki is about far more than peels and wraps. You’ll love the hilltop location, with sweeping views over the Kassandra peninsula. And you’ll be blown away by the resort’s celebrated gastronomy. There are four à la carte dining options - with menus chosen by Michelin-starred chefs - alongside a buffet bar specialising in lobster. Drinks arrive courtesy of in-house sommeliers and expert mixologists. Whether you view Ikos Oceania as a spa holiday with a side course of fine dining, or entirely the reverse, is really up to you.
5
Best for design aficionados: W Barcelona, Spain
W Barcelona
The W Barcelona is a magnificent beachfront hotel is a place where luxury meets high-end design. The hotel is the creation of world famous architect Ricardo Bofill, and the indulgence is provided by the wonderful Bliss Spa, offering a wide range of spa and beauty treatments over two floors. With the pristine beach and a superb restaurant on site, it’s easy to while away days without leaving the hotel’s immediate environs. But this is Barcelona, and a myriad of astonishing sights, tastes and experiences are just a short walk away.
6
Best for water babies: Atlantis the Palm, Dubai
This iconic hotel is set on the Palm, an astonishing man-made island reaching out into the Arabian Gulf. The hotel’s soaring arches and enormous scale reinforce the sense of wonder, because Atlantis the Palm feels like nowhere else on earth. The facilities are as immense as the structure. Hotel guests are transported into a world of water parks, white sand and sea life. The hotel is home to the Aquaventure Waterpark, considered the best in the Middle East and Europe. After all the excitement, the wonderful ShuiQi Spa is an oasis of calm, with two floors of treatments, therapies and bathing options.
Advertisement
7
Best for luxe-lovers: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
The Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is the largest in the Middle East and, with 42 treatment rooms, outdoor Thai massage areas, relaxation and cleansing areas, a snow room, an adventure shower, sauna and steam bath, it would be easy to spend an entire holiday sampling its many delights. Try to resist that temptation. This luxurious hotel, inspired by the palaces of the Ottoman Empire, also offers stunning views, delightful beachside restaurants and – just a stone’s throw away – the many attractions and incredible skyline of Dubai.
8
Best for nature-lovers: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Maldives
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a luxury hideaway of thatched cabanas in a paradise setting, surrounded by palm trees, pure white sand, and clear blue ocean. The Coco Spa adds another level of tranquillity to this idyllic scene, and you can choose from treatments inspired by Indonesian, Thai and Indian traditions of healing and wellbeing. But don’t miss out on the resort’s other attractions. The Baa Atoll’s waters are home to manta rays year-round, and from June to November there’s also the chance to spot whale sharks. Coco Palm’s resident marine biologist leads regular trips to spot the ocean’s gentle giants.
9
Best for socialising: Hard Rock Cancun, Mexico
Hard Rock Cancun
There’s lots to do and see at the Hard Rock, located right at the heart of Cancun’s lively hotel zone. There’s the perfect sandy beach of course, complimented by outdoor Jacuzzis and a beautiful lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar. There’s also billiards, ping pong, pool volleyball, basketball and non-motorised water sports, as well as theme parties and nightly shows. Cancun’s lively nightlife is also right on your doorstep. Don’t forget the Rock Spa in all that excitement, the perfect place to unwind after a hard day of nothing much at all.
Advertisement
10
Best for golfers: Sandy Lane, Barbados
Sandy Lane
There are lots of ways to relax at Sandy Lane, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious hotels, but there are two that the luxury resort has rightly become famous for. One is to visit its first-rate spa, where the stunning marble-clad reception is the gateway to treatment suites, changing rooms and water therapies of the highest quality. The other is to take your clubs onto the property’s three perfectly judged golf courses, two of which were designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio. However you play it will feel like the round of your life, thanks to fairways and greens that offer spectacular views of the sparkling Caribbean.
From carefully selected hotels, straightforward car hire, staggered payments and a 24-hour helpline while you’re away, British Airways Holidays takes the stress out of planning, booking and going on holiday, from start to finish. Trust British Airways Holidays for your next break: they never forget that your holiday is something you never forget.