The Barai Residential Spa at the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand was named Best Resort Spa in the Asia Pacific at the Crystal Awards, which were announced last month. Six Senses Spa at Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives, and Spa Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia, also made the finals in the prestigious competition.
The Crystal Awards were instituted with the objective of honouring the places, people, companies and practices that deserve recognition for uncompromised commitment, constantly evolving to make themselves unique in terms of extending integrated offerings and world-class services.
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin is a five-star beach-front spa and resort hotel located in the city of Hua Hin, which is 230 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. The oldest of Thailand’s beach resorts, Hua Hin was discovered in the 1920s by King Rama VII, who thought it would make an ideal summer getaway from sultry Bangkok.
In 1928, he built his beach front Far from Worries Palace, which remains a royal residence. At once, the sleeping fishing village was turned into the favoured holiday resort for Thailand’s rich and famous, who built ocean front homes on either side of the open-air royal palace.
Situated along a 250-metre long stretch of beach amid 12.5 acres of landscaped gardens. The Barai has eight spa suites for treatments and overnight stays, 18 private treatment rooms, a tranquility court and pool for relaxation, yoga and meditation sessions, and McFarland House – an elegant but casual beach front restaurant.
Soneva Gili by Six Senses in the Maldives has 45 villas on stilts above the water. There are seven Crusoe Residences and The Private Reserve, which are reached only by boat. Each villa has its own private water garden and sun decks. The bathrooms have separate showers with access by way of an open-air walkway.
There are glass floor-panels beneath massage tables so you can view the seas. An extensive a la carte menu offers traditional therapies, doctor-assisted Ayurvedic programmes, and yoga. Spa Several villas have private spa suites.
Qualia is located amid 30 acres of lush tropical bushland adjacent to Australia’s renowned Great Barrier Reef. With a secluded location incorporating 60 hillside pavilions, it overlooks the Coral Sea. Spa qualia uses natural Australian products ranging from LI’TYA and Sodashi. There are six treatment rooms. Facilities include a relaxation area with steam room and outdoor tropical vichy shower, along with open air yoga and meditation pavilion.
Copyright: Michael Taylor
Pictured: Soneva Gili by Six Senses, the Maldives