Welcome to Sparadise
Palm trees, white sand, pristine turquoise waters… A professional physiotherapist and the soft sea breeze caressing your skin during a toning massage. Is it time to wake up yet?
The “flower of the Indies,” as Marco Polo dubbed the Maldives, is the ideal destination to enjoy relaxation therapies, energy, relaxing, ayurvedic, weight loss or detox massages, whirlpool sessions and other wellness treatments. Some resorts have their own centres and others host specialized chain services in their installations. Prices are not cheap; a traditional 60-minute massage might set you back around 1,750 MVR (around 100 dollars). But treating yourself now and again to improve your health is worth it.
The term spa, an acronym for the Latin salus per aquam, healing by water, is used to describe the group of therapeutic techniques that use water as a healing element, as well as other therapies including sauna, massage and aromatherapy. So what’s so special about a spa in the Maldives? The main reason is the location of the specialised resorts, and the techniques they use, which combine modern medicine with ancient wisdom from India, Indonesia and Thailand. They use essential oils from medicinal plants or with relaxing properties, sand for good exfoliation and relaxation, and volcanic stones placed onto the skin. After the sessions, freshly squeezed fruit juice helps the body heal from the inside.
For the romantic or newlyweds, couples massage is an option at some establishments, such as Kuredu Island Resort Spa, in the Lhaviyani atoll. For her, there is Balinese or Oriental massage, body toning and scalp rubs with hot coconut oil. For him, deep body massage with invigorating ginger, body toning with citronella and reflexology treatment.
Other centres, like Anantara Dhigu Resort, on Dhigufinolhu Island, in the South Malé atoll, specialise in ayurvedic therapies. This centre has become a benchmark destination for wellness and healing travel. Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort also specialises in this type of therapy, combining Asian rituals with western techniques, the five elements, yoga and meditation. The spa seeks to give guests an experience of harmony and contentment with massages given by two therapists at once.
The quest for happiness and not just corporal well-being is the aim of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, on Villingili Island. Evoking the legend of Shangri-La, it provides a haven of personal peace and well-being with the axiom “Pampering for the body and soul.” Following basic Chinese Chi Spa philosophy, the universal life force that governs well-being and personal vitality, it provides Asian treatments and Indian ayurvedic therapies: body massage, exercise, stretching, hydrotherapy and movement of the mind through relaxation and meditation.
The most prominent item on the treatment menu of Taj Exótica Resort & Spa, in the South Malé atoll, is also from India. Cupping is a technique that uses hot cups on the body creating a vacuum through which the skin absorbes the properties of the oil used previously in a soothing massage. You are assured of immediate relief from some chronic illnesses.
The Maldives are definitely sparadise. If watching the sunset from an overwater cabin with transparent waters and brightly coloured fish below doesn’t convince you, the range of activities and services dedicated to caressing the senses, will.
The term spa, an acronym for the Latin salus per aquam, healing by water, is used to describe the group of therapeutic techniques that use water as a healing element, as well as other therapies including sauna, massage and aromatherapy. So what’s so special about a spa in the Maldives? The main reason is the location of the specialised resorts, and the techniques they use, which combine modern medicine with ancient wisdom from India, Indonesia and Thailand. They use essential oils from medicinal plants or with relaxing properties, sand for good exfoliation and relaxation, and volcanic stones placed onto the skin. After the sessions, freshly squeezed fruit juice helps the body heal from the inside.
For the romantic or newlyweds, couples massage is an option at some establishments, such as Kuredu Island Resort Spa, in the Lhaviyani atoll. For her, there is Balinese or Oriental massage, body toning and scalp rubs with hot coconut oil. For him, deep body massage with invigorating ginger, body toning with citronella and reflexology treatment.
Other centres, like Anantara Dhigu Resort, on Dhigufinolhu Island, in the South Malé atoll, specialise in ayurvedic therapies. This centre has become a benchmark destination for wellness and healing travel. Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort also specialises in this type of therapy, combining Asian rituals with western techniques, the five elements, yoga and meditation. The spa seeks to give guests an experience of harmony and contentment with massages given by two therapists at once.
The quest for happiness and not just corporal well-being is the aim of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, on Villingili Island. Evoking the legend of Shangri-La, it provides a haven of personal peace and well-being with the axiom “Pampering for the body and soul.” Following basic Chinese Chi Spa philosophy, the universal life force that governs well-being and personal vitality, it provides Asian treatments and Indian ayurvedic therapies: body massage, exercise, stretching, hydrotherapy and movement of the mind through relaxation and meditation.
The most prominent item on the treatment menu of Taj Exótica Resort & Spa, in the South Malé atoll, is also from India. Cupping is a technique that uses hot cups on the body creating a vacuum through which the skin absorbes the properties of the oil used previously in a soothing massage. You are assured of immediate relief from some chronic illnesses.
The Maldives are definitely sparadise. If watching the sunset from an overwater cabin with transparent waters and brightly coloured fish below doesn’t convince you, the range of activities and services dedicated to caressing the senses, will.
Leave Stress under the Sea
With underwater restaurants and a nightclub six metres below the surface, the spas are not going to be left behind. Per Aquum Huvafen Fushi Spa, in the North Malé atoll, has underwater therapy lounges that take full advantage of the peacefulness transmitted by the fish and their movements as they swim. A spa to rid you of the stress of modern life and leave it under the water, emerging to the surface renewed.Without the Slightest Worry
Maldivian spas are not only concerned with innovating their treatments, they also take the atmosphere they create for their clients very seriously. To make sure nothing gets in the way of total relaxation, some have substituted the towels thrown over massage beds with gel seat cushions. Others have installed transparent flooring in the treatment rooms, so that while lying down you can receive the gentle energy of the fish and coral from the sea floor.Top 5 Hotels
Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Giravaru
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
23 January 2020, 2 nights, 2 Persons, bed and breakfast
Maldives, North Malé Atoll,
Kurumba Maldives
20 January 2020, 2 nights, 2 Persons, half board
Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Malé
Somerset Inn
20 January 2020, 2 nights, 2 Persons, bed and breakfast
Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Malé
The Somerset Hotel
20 January 2020, 2 nights, 2 Persons, bed and breakfast
Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Malé
House Clover Maldives
22 January 2020, 2 nights, 2 Persons, as described