HotelChatter

Swissôtel Dresden -- Dresden, Germany Although most people don’t think of Dresden as an alpine city like -- oh say, St Moritz –- it’s located in a mountain valley, so it fits the bill. So now that we have you thinking mountain hikes and skiing, alpine healthy living is the MO at Swissôtel Dresden’s Purovel Spa. Key ingredients such as stone, wood, water, flora, and pure mountain air are an integral part of the spa’s experience. The Alpine Meadow Massage uses essential oils from mountain meadow herbs and flowers to rejuvenate you and give you a feeling of “ahhhhh.”

Regent Palms Turks and Caicos The Regent Spa at the Regent Palms Turks and Caicos does things right: during the day their spa suites have you surrounded by azure-colored water and, at night, they’re illuminated with glowing, warming firelight. Treatments include traditional Caribbean herbal ones such as the locally-inspired Zareeba -- "protected enclosure" -- treatment which combines an infusion of therapeutic herbs with steam meant to inspire reflection. This is quickly followed up by a cooling wrap and massage to release toxins. Good luck getting up off the table after this one.

Swissôtel The Bosphorus –- Istanbul, Turkey We’ve praised before the pure decadent goodness of the Turkish hamam at the Amrita Spa at Swissôtel The Bosphorus, and we’re sayin’ it again because it’s just that good. Amrita’s hammam is the real deal, only it’s been given a five-star kick. We’re talking warm womb-like rooms, body exfoliation, hair washing, a star-lit chill-out room.... Our advice to you is to spend as much as you can afford (time is money!); you won’t want this treatment to end.

Paresa Resort -- Phuket, Thailand This traditional Thai sanctuary spa at Paresa Resort, overlooking the Andaman Sea, offers luxe treatments using local ingredients such as jasmine, sandalwood, and lemongrass. The Thai Boran Massage is a classic South East Asian ritual dating back thousands of years and concentrates on body pressure points and stretching to stimulate blood circulation and ease muscle tension. Plus, you’ll smell good.

[Photos: The Fairmont Mayakoba Willow Stream Spa; Swissôtel Dresden Purovel Spa; Regent Palms Turks and Caicos Spa; Swissôtel The Bosphorus' Amrita Spa]