One of the best parts of a vacation is pampering yourself at a spa. It’s the perfect opportunity to wipe away stress and rid yourself of toxins so that you return home feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. Besides, spa practices differ drastically across the globe so a spa day is a luxurious way of immersing yourself in a country’s culture. Here’s a list of destinations that spa-goers will love. 

The Maldives

Well, duh. A trip to the Maldives is always a relaxing and luxurious experience in itself, and as you’d expect from one of the world’s most exclusive destinations, there are plenty of upmarket spas to choose from. Many of the resorts’ spas are housed in overwater villas, or offer stunning beach views; I wrote about the best of the best in this article. 

Thailand 

You can barely move for spas in Thailand – and that’s one of the many reasons I love it so much. You can enjoy a massage on the beach, on the street or, of course, in a more luxurious, upmarket parlour. What really sets Thailand apart, though, is the great medspas, particularly in the capital city of Bangkok. If you’d like to have medical-grade aesthetic procedures along with your scrubs and facials, be sure to check out this article. 

South Korea 

If you’re a Korean spa – or jjimjilbang – newbie, you should know that it’s a totally different experience. It’s kind of like going to the mall but instead of shops, you find baths and therapy rooms inside. Each bath house is different but Himalayan salt saunas, ice rooms, steam rooms and hydrotherapy pools are common. Some facilities even have karaoke rooms, in case you’re in the mood for a post-spa singalong. 

You should also know that most Korean spas are split by gender and require visitors to be nude whilst bathing. This is a non-negotiable rule and it is enforced, although you’re often permitted to wear robes in the heated rooms – double check the rules of your chosen spa beforehand. If this isn’t something you’re comfortable with, you might find other destinations on this list more suitable.

Dragon Hill Spa is one of the most famous bathhouses in the Korean capital of Seoul. Meanwhile, Spa Land in Centum City mall in Busan has a reputation for being spacious and decadent. 

Budapest, Hungary 

The Hungarian capital city is famed for its spa baths, which are often centuries old. There’s a lot of variety across the city; some baths feature water slides whilst others host trance music “Sparties.” Of course, there are still plenty of amazing options for rest and relaxation. In fact, Hungarian doctors often prescribe visits to healing thermal baths for their patients. 

The Szechenyi Baths are one of Budapest’s top attractions. With 18 hot spring pools, 10 saunas and plenty of massage and therapy rooms, this spa complex is perfect for a day of pampering. It’s also close to the Four Seasons Gresham Palace, which is one of the most luxurious spa hotels in Europe. The Racz spa is another iconic choice, but it’s currently closed for renovations. 

Morocco 

A visit to a hammam – or steam room – is a part of daily life in Morocco. All Moroccans visit a hammam at least once a week to cleanse and exfoliate, usually on Thursday or Friday before Friday prayers. It’s a hygiene ritual, but also a social event where Moroccans spend time with their friends and neighbors. The baths are separated by gender, and patrons usually go in nude – but this varies by spa and tourists are often permitted to wear bathing suits, unlike Korean spas. 

A visit to the hammam involves cleansing the skin with a special soap made from black olives, exfoliation with a rough kess glove and then a purifying rhassoul clay mask. In a basic hammam, patrons wash and exfoliate themselves and sometimes each other. However, in a luxurious hotel facility, an attendant will do all of this for you. Then, you can follow it up with a blissful argan oil massage treatment. 

The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Marrakesh has a beautiful in house spa, as does the luxurious Riad Farnatchi. 

Now that you’re up to date on the best spa destinations around the world, why not check out this list of countries for travel after covid-19?