thoughts on good spa programs at "regular" luxury resorts (or hotels) as opposed to destination spas? for example como & amangalla.

These are all chemical-free spas with very good programmes:-

Trisara, Phuket
Amanpuri, Phuket
Amanbagh, India
Four Seasons Provence
Four Seasons Langkawi
Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
Anassa, Cyprus
Almyra, Cyprus

If you like small hotels in the country, you can check Mayflower Inn in CT and Palmetto Bluff in SC, both are great for a spa retreat

George V Paris

Chateau du Sureau: very small spa but simply amazing ambiance and quality

Four Seasons Silicon Valley: best massage ever (and I'm not a big fan of massage in general)

Peninsula Chicago: fantastic treatments, very cushy

We recently did a stint at the Mayflower, and I can safely say the Spa is 5*. The rooms probably 4*.

i guess i should clarify, by "program" i mean a package including meals etc. like a destination spa, except at a regular resort, as opposed to canyon ranch / miraval / golden door / etc. mayflower seems in between. a little more like a destination spa, and not really luxurious. (DrivingRain's report etc)

like this at other resorts >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14660296-post270.html
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusive...&LangType=1033
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusive...w.aspx?id=4216
http://www.comoshambhala.como.bz/loc...a-destinations
http://www.comoshambhala.como.bz/loc...bhala-retreats
http://www.montagelagunabeach.com/pa...render-retreat
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13377510-post52.html
http://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/content/satori.html
http://www.shantiananda.com/content/wellnesspackage.asp
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/sanya/spa/spa_programs/
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chia.../spa_programs/ ("wellness retreat programs")
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/rivi.../spa_programs/ ("retreats")
http://www.auriga-spa.com/wellness-spa-treatments.php (capella - velden, cabo, singapore)
http://www.aquapurahotels.com/portug...anagement.aspx
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21364074-post665.html
(and FS LG and provence later in this thread)
palais namaskar

bodyism >
amilla fushi maldives (founder of per aquum involved)
capri palace
d hotel maris turkey

hotels >
https://booking.thedoldergrand.com/b...3-65a32937c8cc (grand detox)

spa-inclusive (unlimited treatments, double occupancy) >

- http://www.phulay-bay.com/en/Packages/Unlimited-ESPA
$945
no longer offered?

- http://www.mayflowerinn.com/spa/spa-events.php
mayflower inn - above and beyond
5 nts - $2446 per nt (+12% room tax?)
incl unlimited private fitness sessions
no longer offered?

~ only others i know of are 2 private islands (exclusive use) and a villa (XMAS/NYE only)

in the past >

x penthouse experience @ grace bay club (2007)

x spa immersion @ FS westlake (2008) ($935)

x http://www.canyonranchlenox.com/book_a_stay/specials/
canyon ranch lenox - unlimited spa special through june 30 2010
5 nts - $1748 or $1844 per nt
incl $450 medical credit

x twin farms - early 2011 (standard rate)

x FS denver - fall 2011 ($1,111)

x http://www.threeforksranch.com/concierge/lodge-rates/
$2333 > $2750 includes absolutely everything including airfare from mid 2010 to mid 2012

x http://www.castellodicasole.com/spec...spa-indulgence
�1033 August 1 through October 31, 2015

recent semi-related thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...s-resorts.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/9877117-post22.html

The trouble with a lot of these places is that they are like factories. A friend of mine just returned from Ananda in the Himalayas and said it was factory-like and very disappointing. I have had much better spa experiences at regular hotels that operate really good spas, with highly trained therapists. The best groups for spas right now are Four Seasons, Aman and Taj, and no, not MO.

that was the point of this thread/post 6 - regular luxury resorts.

just thought i would post the 2 spa-inclusive options i know of. (only destination spas. )
worth negotiating using them as an example? i plan to try it.

looks like they call it a destination spa, even though you can book room only.

Sorry, Kage - I understood that. I was just stating the obvious.

when you say not MO, are you including NY?

its unfortunate taj doesnt seem to have any similar offerings. (post 6)

also, were you in implying that aman has done spa journeys like amangiri's before? (in another thread)

Yep - I am including every single MO spa, including MO BK. The other groups have really outpaced MO since Kurt Wachtveitl first conceived the Oriental Spa. MO have simply not kept up.

Can't find post 6 relating to Taj, but in the past few years, Taj have done some amazing spas - OK not in the US, but certainly in India - way ahead of Oberoi.

Gotta go - dinner.....

I agree that the spa at MO Bangkok is one of the worst features of the hotel (I know,more information for its detractors!). Its a bit like spa for spa sake which is so common now.
I just love the spa at Rayavadee (Krabi,Thailand), the best spa experience I have ever had. Oh I wish I was there right now, sigh!

just noticed more at FSLG >
http://www.fourseasons.com/maldivesl..._retreats.html

Late May
July 26 - July 31
Aug 3 - Aug 8
Oct 11 - Oct 16

additional cost per nt is $439 single and $978 double (5 nt packages in low season)

vs

at FS provence >
http://www.fourseasons.com/provence/...tail_4760.html

only single occupancy published
additional cost per nt mostly really high, but >
plus �127 for prem villa jul 1 - jul 8 and sep 1 - sep 10
minus �43.34 for prem villa jul 9 - aug 31

daily >
- 3 hours fitness
- 3 spa treatments
- 1 hour meditation
- medical consultation on arrival and departure
- full board