Fancy a massage with the sound of the sea as your relaxation music? Want a view of golden sands as you feel tension melt away? You need a trip to one of our favourite beachside spas.
From the Caribbean to the Maldives, make the most of the rejuvenating qualities of sun, sea and sand on your next trip away, with our pick of the best beachside spas with exceptional ocean views.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Plenty of the Maldives’ beautiful island spas are worthy of making this list – it’s a place where turquoise waters and breathtaking white sandy beaches abound, after all. However, there’s something extra special about the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Perched above the crystal-clear ocean and built in ‘the round’ so that you are totally surrounded by the sea, this cocooning spa combines traditional Maldivian healing rituals with the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, (plus the allure of Bamford’s luxury products). The Bamford Signature Journey – 150 minutes of complete head-to-toe bliss – is a must-book. Every detail is considered: from your personalised welcome greeting made out of seashells to the tension-relieving powers of the massage, with strokes designed to follow the ocean’s healing rhythm. You’re even treated to a coconut oil-enriched bubble bath, complete with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne to complete your wellness journey.
COMO Shambhala, Fiji
COMO Shambhala Laucala Island – and especially its spa – is a stunning celebration of the natural beauty and resources of Fiji. Not only does the spa’s hilltop location offer spectacular views, but the treatments make use of the island’s herbs, fruits and flowers for an experience that truly grounds you in your surroundings. Highlights include a Senikau bath ritual, which involves tropical flowers from the island; the Laucala Island Treatment that includes a locally-sourced papaya and banana-leaf body wrap; and the Fijian Bobo massage that uses traditional techniques that employ the therapist’s hands, elbows and feet. Forget treatment rooms – here there are full treatment villas, which act as calming hideaways for individuals and couples, alongside hot stone relaxation rooms, outdoor bathtubs and Vichy shower and steam room facilities. The glass-edged infinity pool provides far-reaching ocean views as well; the perfect way to continue your relaxation throughout your blissful stay.
Varua Te Ora Spa at The Brando, French Polynesia
Deeply connected to the spiritual roots of the French Polynesian people, there’s magic in the air at Varua Te Ora Spa at The Brando – an award-winning eco-resort that was once the actor Marlon Brando’s private retreat. Under unassuming thatched-roof pavilions and in open-air spaces where Tahitians once gathered for ceremonial rites, guests are pampered, revitalised and reconnected to nature’s healing powers, through yoga, meditation, sound baths and treatments. No music is required when the spa’s tranquil soundscape includes the gentle waves and rustling palm trees nearby, and each wellbeing ritual is powered by ancient Polynesian healing traditions, local ingredients, and the concept of vital energy or ‘Mana’ guiding your practitioner’s hands. A standout experience is the Tava’e Ritual, a healing treatment that combines local herbs, warm stones, and traditional massage. Or, for couples, the Fare Manu, or “bird house,” offers a secluded sanctuary within the spa, allowing you to relax away from the world’s gaze.
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Bali
Talise Spa at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai
There’s a reason that the large Talise Spa, which provides R&R for all the Jumeirah beachside properties in Dubai, has become known as a dreamy oasis in the desert. From the moment you draw up by abra, you’ll feel your stresses and tensions melt away. Arrive early to make the most of the (gender-separated) sauna, steam and private pool experiences. The space is designed to feel like a spa village, with 26 private treatment villas dotted between fountains, banana and mangrove tree-lined pathways, and Moroccan-tiled walled relaxation areas. As for treatments, The Bespoke Deep Tissue Massage comes highly recommended, complete with soothing meditative music and a choice of oils that both relax and revive your mind (so you don’t emerge groggy). The Talise Wellness programmes are well worth exploring too, with single treatments and full programmes designed to help with sleep, stress and nutrition (among other things), maximising the health and wellness benefits of your winter sun holiday.
Carlisle Bay Resort, Antigua & Barbuda
With rooms that open out onto a private beach (and the island’s natural rainforest framing them as a backdrop), Carlisle Bay offers all the relaxed and joy-inspiring indulgence you’d expect from a classic Caribbean beachside resort. That’s also why the award-winning CARA Organic Beauty Spa is especially good for anyone who doesn’t ‘spa’ very often, with its holistic array of tried-and-trusted treatments provided by leading wellness brand ESPA, and tailored wellness experiences including sunset yoga on the jetty. The in-spa rituals have a truly results-driven focus too – whether that’s to help you unwind and relax after a busy period at work, or to revitalise your complexion through tailored facials. For the height of luxury though, opt for the two-hour long experience that includes four different types of massage: hot lava stone, foot reflexology, West Indian and Indian head massage. Try it and you’ll come out floating on a (Caribbean) cloud.
Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
Inspired by the layout of a traditional Vietnamese fishing village, the Six Senses Spa Con Dao makes the most of the pristine Marine Park waters that surround it. Across nine beautiful, floating structures, the spa space includes eight overwater treatment rooms (including two VIP couple suites with a bubble pool), as well as a yoga pavilion, meditation shala, steam room, and infrared sauna. The atmosphere is truly tranquil, and the unique therapies you can experience make a visit one-of-a-kind. Don’t leave without trying Vietnamese Touch Therapy, where cupping, percussion, and meridian clearing techniques work together to relieve tension and boost circulation. Or, the Hot Bamboo Muscle Melt, where smooth bamboo canes knead out muscle tension like you’ve never experienced before. Wellness is also addressed holistically at Six Senses Con Dao (and in Vietnam in general), so don’t miss the opportunity to have sessions with an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga instructor, or even a biohacking consultation to really maximise the wellbeing of your mind, body and soul.
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Lead image: Jumeirah Al Qasr
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