From traditional Japanese bath houses
(sentō) to natural geothermic pools near Costa Rican volcanoes surrounded by lush wildlife,
hot springs can be considered one of the wellness wonders of the world and have been used by people seeking
physical and spiritual renewal for centuries. Naturally heated and surrounded by nature, they attract people
from all over the globe to experience what many hot springs facilities claim are “miraculous” cures for any
skin ailment. Over the years, spa treatments based on the healing power of water have developed to provide
the ultimate retreat into rejuvenation. Lifestyler presents to you some of the world’s best hot springs and spas.
Peninsula Hot Springs —
Melbourne, Australia
A visit to the Land
Down Under should bring you to the Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria’s first natural hot springs and
day spa centre. The hot springs, which have been studied by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences
in New Zealand and the University of Idaho, present enough bathing options to meet any person’s preferences.
The public bath house is good for brief relaxation, but treatments and private bathing options are also
available at the Spa Dreaming Centre. The centre features private indoor and outdoor mineral pools and body
treatments, including its signature Moonahgai Calling experience that lets you soak in a private hot bath and
indulge in a full-body salt exfoliation, a massage in an aromatherapy steam room, a scalp massage and a hair
mask. Also worth experiencing: The distinctive Turkish steam room (hamam), a large room filled with steam that requires
rigorous preparation and heating of the body before entering the hamam and offers deep skin detoxification
and cleansing.
Bota Bota — Quebec,
Canada
While many spas offer
to give you endless relaxation, Bota Bota promises to make you feel like you are floating on
water — literally. The “spa-sur-l’eau,” anchored at the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal and floating on the
St-Lawrence River, offers five decks with various spa amenities. One of its staple treatments is the water
circuit, which is said to soothe muscle pains and restore elasticity to the skin: Ten to 15 minutes is spent
in a Nordic steam bath or sauna, followed by a quick full-body immersion in a cold bath, and then another 20
minutes in a warm whirlpool or a hammock with a beautiful view of Old Montreal. The massages, based on
techniques from Asia and Europe, will take you around the world without you having to leave your futon. End
off your day with the “Bota Chic” pedicures and manicures or a hydrating body scrub, and find out why you’ll
be exclaiming “C’est magnifique!”
Blue Lagoon — Reykjavík,
Iceland
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland opened its first public bathing
facilities in 1987, and since then claims that its hot springs have treated psoriasis and eczema sufferers
all over the world. It is officially recognized by the Icelandic Health Ministry as a legitimate treatment
for these conditions. Even without any serious skin conditions, you can still benefit from the soothing
effects of the hot spring — filled with natural silica and algae — as well as enjoy a drink and buy a mask or
scrub from the Outdoor Lagoon Bar situated in the lagoon’s waters. There are also in-water massages and
spa treatments available so you can indulge your skin while feeling the soft currents brush against your
body. If you aren’t willing to make the trip, you can bring the Blue Lagoon experience to you as they have a variety of
skin-care products that they ship all over the world.
Tabacón — Alajuela,
Costa Rica
Surrounded by the
tropical rainforest and the resort’s own thriving gardens, Tabacón offers a natural environment that will calm you
and make you feel at one with nature, rather than being confined to an enclosed resort space. Located in the
Arenal Volcano region, the water is naturally heated by magma at the earth’s core, and the resort points out
that it does not use pumps and mechanical systems to distribute the water, instead letting the water flow
naturally throughout the resort with gravity. This philosophy of combining nature and luxury also presents
itself in the Grand Spa, where Tabacón offers all of its services, which include volcanic
mud treatments and hot stone massages, in open-air bungalows. One of its unique services is Temazcal, a
traditional sweat bath developed in Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala and Belize), which involves a shaman
heating volcanic rocks and herb essences that are said to exfoliate the skin, remove toxic metals from the
body and open clogged pores.
Herb House — Hampshire,
United Kingdom
At the Herb House, you can say goodbye to synthetic facials and let
holistic treatments revitalize your body and spirit. Set in the Lime Wood hotel, which sits on the site of a
13th-century hunting lodge and recently hosted the wedding of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, the
Herb House offers three floors housing various spa treatments
that echo Old World methods: The caldarium (a hot room with underfloor heating), mud baths, and bath and
steam houses are techniques that have been used for centuries. Indulge in one of their eight private
treatment rooms, or bask in their outdoor hot pool with a view of the surrounding New Forest area, which was
voted Most Environmental Destination in the World at the 2008 World Travel Awards. The Herb House also
reflects its “natural” theme with its rooftop “herbery”: Simple plant arrangements embellish the rooftop and
mint fragrances calm your spirit in the herbery’s meditation area and sun deck.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
— Alberta, Canada
Though Alberta may not
be the first place that comes to mind when looking for a luxurious hot spring, the Banff Upper Hot
Springs, first used
by Canada’s native peoples for curing illness, provides a picturesque spa experience in the Rockies. While
you soak in a renovated 1930s heritage bath house (which once rivalled the European spas of the time) in
100-per-cent natural spring water, you can enjoy the alpine scenery of mountain peaks, waterfalls and caves
so beautiful that Banff is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the on-site Pleiades Massage and
Spa, opt for the All Natural Facial to accompany the naturally beautifying effects of the hot spring, or try
the Reflexology massage, which emphasizes “reflex areas” in the hands and feet.
Temple Gardens Mineral
Spa Resort — Saskatchewan, Canada
This spa getaway gem, located in the quaint city of Moose Jaw,
Sask., is a Leading Spas of Canada member and home to Canada’s largest therapeutic geothermal mineral water
indoor/outdoor rooftop pool. The pool is naturally warm and rich with Epsom and Glauber’s salts, silicon,
potassium and magnesium, said to aid in skin rejuvenation and body detoxification. The water is drawn from
rock formations in an ancient sea bed 1,350 metres below the earth’s surface, which was discovered in 1910 in
an attempt to find natural gas. Patrons can also enjoy the resort’s very own Sun Tree Spa, which uses only
natural products and gives a thorough skin analysis as part of every facial treatment. Try the Diamond
Microdermabrasion facial, which uses crystals mechanically blasted onto the skin to reduce fine lines and
wrinkles and reduce hyper-pigmentation, and invigorate your body with the Wild Rosehip Prairie Wrap, which
uses hand-picked wild Canadian rosehips.
As one ages, it can be difficult
to distinguish between the thousands of skin care lines that claim they have the answer to beautiful,
youthful skin. Rather than sticking to the factory-made serums made of hard-to-pronounce ingredients,
treating yourself to these natural hot springs may be the easy way to quench one’s skin and revitalize a
tired spirit. •
Photo Courtesy: Peninsula Hot
Springs
