Your spa

Whether you're a spa veteran or a novice, let us guide you to the most pleasurable spa experiences from around the world. Essential Escapes was born of a love of spas and we’ve made it our arduous mission to try out therapies on offer across the globe, being well and truly scrubbed and pummelled, so we can tell you what really hits the spot.

We can recommend the toughest boot camp or the most indulgent massage, as well as a whole host of exotic or therapeutic treatments. Detox and weight loss programmes are especially popular, allowing you to combine your spa programme with a special menu prepared by nutritionists and gourmet chefs.

Many of our hotels offer spa treatments in wonderful settings: under the stars, downby the sea, or even floating in a flower-filled lagoon. Do advise us on any special requirements and we’d be happy to book your spa programme for you inadvance.

All our hotels have been specially selected for their superb spas, so refine yoursearch by your chosen destination, or even by your preferred spa treatment, in our search panel on the left.

Spa glossary:

The aim of this glossary is to help you to better understand some of the treatmentsand their associated benefits. We can of course elaborate on these descriptions should you require.

Acupuncture - An ancient oriental healing technique using needles to balance energy meridians and encourage self-healing.

Acupressure - Energy is unblocked by stimulating particular pressure points on the body using fingerpoint massage.

Algotherapy - The application of sea products such as algae or seaweed.

Aqua-aerobics - Aerobic exercises in a swimming pool using the buoyancy and resistance of the water.

Aromatherapy - The use of essential oils from natural sources in an ancient practice of pressure-point massage. Theinhaled aroma induces relaxation.

Ayurveda - An ancient Indianpractice using herbs, essential oils, nutrition, massage and meditation to balance mind and body.

Bach Flower Therapy - A holistic treatment using extracts of flowers to calm emotions and promote healing.

Balneotherapy - Water-based therapies using seawater or thermal spring water to improve circulation thereby relieving stress or strain.

Body Scrub - The removal of deadskin by various means after which creams or lotions are applied to render the skin smooth.

Boreh - A Balinese massage,created by rice farmers to ease pain using a preparation of a paste of ground spices.

Caldarium - A room containing steam that has been infused with aromatic plants and herbs.

Cathiodermie - Low voltage electrical treatment to oxygenate the skin (especially the face) and revitalize circulation.

Chakra Balancing - According to yoga philosophy, chakras are wheels that form symbolic energy centres at main pointsof the body. Imbalances or blockages can be caused by physical or emotional reasons. The seven chakras each relate to a specific colour, organ, gland or part of the body. Colour healing, crystal healing, meditation, sound therapyand visualisation are also used to clear blockages and harmonise the system.

Cold Plunge - A cold water plunge following a heat treatment.

Colonic Irrigation - A water enema to cleanse and detoxify the colon to prevent toxins re-entering the blood stream.

Craniosacral therapy - Gentle massage of the head and neck to release tension and restore balance.

Crenotherapy - A mud, steam and water therapy.

Crystal Healing - A spiritual healing using crystals or agates to draw out imbalanced energy from various parts of the body.

Cupping - An ancient oriental treatment where cups are placed on various points on the body to improve circulation and boost the body's energy.

Dead Sea Therapy - Mineral-rich mud fromthe DeadSea used to cleanse and detoxify. Also used in the treatment of muscle stress, arthritis and rheumatism.

Deep Tissue Massage - A deep muscle massage,sometimes painful, used typically to treat sports injuries.

Dochas - An Ayurvedic belief thatthe three elements pitta (fire), kapha (earth) and vata (air) must be balanced for maximum health and wellbeing.

Dry Floatation Bed - The body is covered in amud or algae wrap, cocooned and lowered into warm water.

Duo massage (also 4 HandsMassage) -A synchronised massage by two therapists.

Electrotherapy - Stimulation techniquesusing low voltage electricity.

Endermology - A French massage using avacuum and rolling machine to reduce cellulite.

Fango - A therapy employing highly mineralised mud applied to the body in a medium of oil or water.

Flotation Tank - A deep relaxation technique in a darkened room in which there is a tank filled with a high concentration of salt in mineral-enriched water to maintain weightlessness.

Gommage - Rehydrating and cleansing by means of long-stroke massage.

Hammam (also Turkish Bath) - A steam room(s) usually with herbal-scented vapours.

Herbal Wrap - Hot sheets soaked inherbs wrapped around the body, then covered with blankets and a cold compress applied to the head. Used to relax, detoxify and soften the body.

Homeopathy - A treatment that uses the same natural substance to cure an ailment that caused it. A self-healing therapy.

Hydromassage - A method of stimulating the blood and lymphatic system by using high pressure hoses under water.

Hydrotherapy - A generic term for all water-based treatments.

Indian Head Massage - Massage using essential oils that are massaged with the fingers and the "heel" of the hand onthe crown of the head. Particularly effective with focused meditation.

Ionisation - A thalassotherapy wherethe sea water is ionised with negative ions and is inhaled or sprayed. Used to heal the upper respiratory tract.

Jet Shower - see ScotchHoseKinesiology - A diagnostic system to find fudge allergies and mineral deficiencies..

Kneipp Bath - A hydrotherapy, using herbs and minerals in water of different temperatures, combined with a diet and exercise regime devised by Father Sebastian Kneipp.

Kundalini - An Ayurvedic treatment to improve metabolism of the body, strengthen the back, increase mobility inthe spine and ease many painful complaints from migraine to stiffness.

Laconium - A dry heat treatment room for relaxing the body.

Lastone Therapy - A massage to relax andrevitalize using hot and cold stones on a well-oiled skin.

Lomi Lomi (also Lomilomi) - A Hawaiian massageusing a rhythmical rocking and long stroking technique.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage - A means of reducing water retention using a gentle pumping and non-oily massage.

Mandi Lulur (also JavaneseLulur) -An ancient therapy involving a mask of flowers, herbs and spices that is allowed to dry then buffed and rinsed in yogurt. Usually precedes a jasmine orrose petal bath.

Meditation - Meditation has many forms but all are based on the concentration of an object, sound or belief whilst controlling the breathing. A powerful antidote to stress and anxiety.

Ozone Bath - A circulation stimulantusing a jet of ozone bubbles onto the body while immersed in thermal or seawater.

Phytotherapy - The use of extracts ofplants, herbs, seaweed and aromatic essential oils applied through massage, wraps, inhalation and steam treatments.

Pilates - An exercise disciplinecombining synchronised stretch and breathing techniques to strengthen the body.

Rasul Bath (also RhasoulBath) -Self-application of special muds to the face, chest, back and thighs whose remedial qualities are slowly absorbed in a heat chamber as the body perspires.A tropical rain shower is used to wash and cleanse.

Rebirthing - A Yoga technique of breathing and meditation to clear the mind thus achieving profound relaxation.

Reflexology - An ancient therapy restoring a natural energy flow around the body using finger-point pressure onthe soles of the feet or sometimes the hands.

Reiki - A spiritual therapywhere the body is loosely clothed. Rebalancing and relaxation are achievedwhilst the therapist hovers, or lays hands, over specific points of the body.

Roman Bath - A communal pool ofmineral enriched thermal water with underwater seating.

Salt Glow (also Body Glowor Turkish Scrub) - An exfoliating scrub using coarse salt, essential oils and water followed by a shower and the application of body lotion.

Sauna - A dry heated wood-lined room where the heat induces a sweat to cleanse the body.

Scotch Hose (also JetBlitz or Jet Shower) - A standing hydromassage using a high pressure hose of alternating hot and cold water.

Shiatsu - Japanese finger pressureused to improve energy flow along the body's meridians used to boost one'snatural recuperative powers.

Shirodhara - A powerful Ayurvedicvariation where oil is slowly poured over the third eye to relieve tension and restore balance.

Spinning - An aerobic exerciseusing a stationary bicycle.

Swedish Massage - Five-movement massage involving long strokes, tapping, kneading, rolling and vibration.

Tai Chi - A Taoist discipline combining mental concentration, dance and controlled breathing.

Tui Na Massage - A Chinese therapy usingdeep hands-on, digital pressure to relieve pain and restore balance.

Thai Massage - A "dry" massage with the subject dressed in loose clothes. The body is manipulated andstretched with pummelling and kneading whilst exerting pressure along the body's energy channels. Used to relax tight limbs and release blockages.

Thalassotherapy - Seawater-based treatments sometimes enhanced with marine derivatives to restore balance andwellness.

Vichy Shower (alsoAffusion Shower) - An energising and relaxing therapy using multi-jet hot and cold water sprays onto the body whilst lying on a massage table.

Vinothérapie - A treatment that combines thermal spring water, oligo-elements with wine and grape extracts to strengthen blood vessels and enhance micro-circulation.

Watsu - A water-based massageapplied as the body floats on warm water. Known for its emotional and physical liberating benefits.

Yoga - Based on ancient Indianteaching, Yoga combines posture, breathing and stretching. There are 18different paths (Hatha, Ashtanga, Bhakti, Sivanda etc) each with their ownemphasis. Some are physically very demanding. Ask before you commit!