Since Sybaritic and Single Spy returned from a trip in India, Good Spa Guide HQ has been inundated with beautiful fabrics, oils which smell divine and yummy teas. The Spa Spies love trying new treatments – don’t get us wrong, a deep tissue massage will always have a place in our heart – but we love learning about complimentary medical systems. We’ve been awash with discussing our doshas, competitive yoga and the joys of Ayurveda!
If you want to try Ayurveda here’s some of the places we love (go visit – you won’t regret it!), the products we couldn’t live without and some overseas retreats that we thoroughly lust after.
Antara Spa at the Chelsea Club
Antara Spa is a haven of calm and tranquillity, with Ayurvedic therapies delivered by experienced therapists in the Chelsea Football Club Leisure complex. You might just spot the odd famous face or two between treatments and swimming lengths of their fabulous pool. Try the Ayurveda Hot Stone Therapy, Champissage (Indian head massage) or Shirodhara (oil flow on the forehead).
Nestled in 19th Century castle in the Dartmoor National Park you’ll find a haven of Ayurveda. The Spa at Bovey Castle is the UK's flagship Sundãri spa and has a range of treatments to suit. Abhyanga massage, Shirodhara, hot herb poultices take pride of place here with ayurvedic treatments for men, women, during pregnancy and younger adults.
Ayurvedic Immersion at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavru
Ever since Single Spy visited Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives last year we’ve had a serious case of travel envy… We recently found out about the Ayurvedic Immersion weeks at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru and we’re seriously rethinking our position on not playing the lottery. A week in the beautiful Maldivian island, private yoga classes, seven spa treatments and regular meetings with ayurvedic physicians - we’re in lust.
Antara Destination Spa and Resort, Paphos
Just a short hop, skip and jump away is the Antara Destination Spa and Resort in western Cyprus. The ultra luxe resort hosts a wellness centre that speclialises in Ayurvedic treatments.
Our Spa Spy was impressed by both the opulence of the resort and the holistic nature of the offering. The food was delicious, the spa beautiful and the Royal Ayurveda Four-Hand massage a rare and recommended treat.
Chamomile Eye Oil from Sundari
We love this light, calming eye oil. It plumps up fine lines, relaxes areas of inflammation and the camomile smell is beautifully relaxing. The oil will really help those with pitta doshas!
Calm head and scalp oil (shirodhara) from Tridosha
Hair oil seems to be in fashion at the moment (we’ve tried Argan, Coconut and Camellia oil) and this scalp and hair oil is based on shirodhara, an ayurvedic therapy which involves gently pouring oil, milk or different waters over the forehead. It includes fennel (super relaxing) and eucalyptus (might help clear the mind).
Summer Spy
13th April 2014
Spy Likes:
Warmth and sunshine; spas which take me away to another country; fruit infused waters; beach-worth pedicures; deep tissue massages.
Spy Dislikes:
High footfalls; treatments that over promise and under deliver; heavy lunches; loungers drapped in used towels.
