Como Shambala Estate Bali

Slightly off the beaten track, in Ubud – the place where spas probably began – the holistic hideaway of Como Shambhala Estate is nestled in a jungle-covered gorge. Laze in the infinity pool, whose design takes inspiration from the tiers of the lime- coloured paddy fields. The lush sanctuary is punctuated with glow-white day beds that pop out of the green foliage.

Under the thatched roofs of wooden villas, a 360 ̊ approach to rejuvenation makes for a therapeutic stay to balance mind, body and spirit. It starts with gentle exercise such as yoga and, for more energetic days, hiking in the mountains or exploring the area on foot.

Healthy, yet tasty, food can be overseen, if you wish, by the ayurvedic doctor to check the ying and the yang of nourishing dishes, such as kuah be pasih lalah (hot and sour seafood soup with cherry tomatoes, sprouts and lemon basil, steamed crab).

Restaurants include Kudus House, set in a 150-year-old former Javanese residence, and whose Indonesian cuisine makes the best use of fresh ingredients. Or you could pay a visit to Glow, an open-sided all-day venue where you can fuel up on nutritionally balanced salads, energising juices and vitamin-rich blends. Coconut sorbet is a refreshing antidote to the humidity.

Four-poster beds are draped in muslin, and materials like dark wood and bamboo add traditional Balinese touches to the contemporary rooms. The spa gives its ayurvedic massages on balconies looking out into the treetops.

Bulgari Resort Bali

Breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean are offered by the lofty position of this clifftop resort, perched 150m above the waves on the Bukit Peninsula where the infinity pool blends into the blue yonder. Interiors are sleek, designed in a haute tropical style by the Italian jewellery brand. If you can drag yourself away from the sunken relaxation area, the spa – housed in a wooden lattice temple – is all about exotic oils, luxury massages with volcanic stones, body wraps, ayurvedic rituals and Espa treatments.

The Al Maha Dubai

Blazing sunsets, red sand dunes and private infinity pools are found at this top-class oasis. Al Maha is not about boot camps or detoxing – it’s for pleasure-seekers in search of sultry heat, decadent food and wine, and exotic, holistic spa treatments.

Set against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains, about an hour and a half’s drive from Dubai, it is designed to resemble a Bedouin encampment. The safari-style lodge and nature reserve sprawls over 225km of desert. Villas have large wooden decks with private infinity pools. Each suite has handcrafted furnishings, antiques and spacious bathrooms with huge tubs and Bulgari cosmetics.

A staff-to-guest ratio of 3:1 means the sort of personal service that goes beyond five stars. Found amid lush gardens, the Timeless Spa overlooks the shimmering sands, its treatment menu includes including relaxing massages using soothing Sodashi products, mud and algae baths. The Hot Stone treatment balances chakras, and is great for jetlag.

Follow this with a delicious mix of rejuvenating facial, pressure point shiatsu, reflexology, full-body scrub and an eye treatment containing frankincense to de-puff tired eyes.

Wolgan Valley Australia

Head west from Sydney past the Greater Blue Mountains to the outback to find wallabies, wombats and kangaroos at this special nature reserve and spa. Drive down the dusty winding road that snakes steeply around the cliff, taking in views of plunging canyons into the verdant valley. Another 26km along a red dirt track leads you to this six-star resort.

The Aussie federation-style ranch is nestled in the Wollemi National Park – the only place in the world where the Wollemi pine grows naturally. Kangaroos hop around lavender on lush green rolling plains and at sundown, curious wombats pad around the gardens of the timber homestead villas. Lorikeets, parrots and fluorescent coloured birds flit between the trees as peregrine falcons patrol the skies above. Horse-riding trails involve trotting up hills and splashing through creeks, where you are likely to catch a glimpse of a platypus and see snakes slithering underfoot.

Each villa has its own indoor-outdoor pool and on the decks, blankets are strewn over cushioned rocking chairs –perfectly placed for gazing out over the gum and eucalyptus trees, gulping in the fresh mountain air.

The top-class spa found next to a large infinity pool specialises in natural products using native ingredients. Float into the signature bathing ritual in one of the double spa rooms with Japanese-style soaking tubs, then opt for the mountain aroma massage treatment for two and be slathered in native eucalyptus oils.

Six Senses, Laamu Maldives

Perhaps the definitive desert island escape, The Maldives is where all the fantasy tropical holiday boxes are ticked: swaying palms, top- end luxury, cobalt-coloured seas, powdery beaches and year-round sunshine.

The best bit? Due to its geographic spot close to the equator and flatlands, sunsets in the Maldives are a 360 ̊experience. If it showers, rainbows make a colourful arc across the brilliant shades of blue sea and sky.

Getting around means soaring over the islands from the capital Malé in tiny seaplanes, or speeding along by boat to get among the string of coral atolls sprinkled like pearls over the Indian Ocean. Six Senses, Laamu, is a super-luxe spa retreat on the island of Olhuveli on the southernmost, virtually uncharted Laamu Atoll.

Spa treatments like the Kurumbaa Kaashi Coconut Rub, take place in round wicker nests, looking out to sea from the treetops. Over water villas have glass-bottomed bathtubs so you can see the hundreds of coloured reef fish zipping around as you soak. Guests can either cycle around the resort to a yoga class, or wander across to a de-stress session (or the ice cream parlour) barefoot, Robinson Crusoe style.

The Conrad Maldives

Gaze into the dazzling shallows – that’s one way to while away the hours here. So what else is on the Maldives menu? Snorkeling, snoozing, leisurely laps of infinity pools and snapping pictures worthy of your screen saver. Snag the Sunset Water Villa for a circular, ocean-facing bathtub, and a round bed, which rotates 270° to follow stunning sunsets.

Head to the spa (there are two) to be scrubbed, buffed and massaged over glass floors. Dinner at Ithaa – 5m below sea level – is advised. Dine on Maldivian-European fusion dishes while looking up to the beautiful marine life.

Kauri Cliffs New Zealand

Dive into an infinity pool and look out to the shimmering blue Pacific – resplendent with the dramatic coastlines and inlets of New Zealand’s Bay of Islands – before switching temperatures and relaxing back in the swirling waters of the huge hot tub at Kauri Cliffs Resort and Spa.

Three hours north of Auckland on the North Island’s east coast, and set between forest and farmland that is dotted with ancient kauri trees, the retreat blends Kiwi home comforts with pure class. Wooden, white, tongue-and-groove, Hamptons-esque coastal cottages are airy and bright.

As you walk into the spacious accommodation, there’s a light floral sent from the lilies spilling out of a huge vase on the armoire. Compact verandas with wooden decks provide an outdoor sanctuary overlooking Cape Brett and native rainforest.

It’s an idyllic setting for peaceful moments over an uplifting herbal tisane. Take a hike to happen upon secret waterfalls and a private beach made up of tiny salmon-coloured shells. At Pink Beach, you can float in the sapphire-hued shallows before retreating to the state-of-the-art spa in verdant fern glen, with its koi carp pond. Signature spa attractions include thermal water therapies

like the 50-minute Waterfall Massage, perfect after being scrubbed with manuka honey or a kiwi fruit body polish. Treatments are available either indoors or out in the open air.

Matakuri Lodge New Zealand

The sister spa retreat to Kauri Cliffs, Matakauri Lodge in located on South Island and looks out over the cool waters of Lake Wakatipu just a 7km hop from the heart of Queenstown.

Located on the edge of a pine forest, it’s a stylish 12-suite lodge with spa offerings of holistic treatments such as Aromasoul body scrubs and self-heating mud packs in two treatments rooms, each with a private deck surrounded by native flora.

Float around in the heated outdoor swimming pool, taking in views of the snow-capped tips of towering Cecil Peak, while working on your stroke.

Royal Mansour, Marrakech Morocco

Steps from the chaotic streets of the medina – the historic heart of Marrakech – is the King’s Palace. Cross the road and you’ll find another palace, this time a hotel designed in the style of a small medina. King Mohammed VI of Morocco commissioned hundreds of artisan tradesman to take inspiration from and blend all the best elements of all his palaces, with the likes of huge bronze lanterns, exquisite honey and cream mosaics and intricate woodwork. The result is 53 terracotta-coloured private riads, all of which are three floors, with opulent interiors and rooftop plunge pools.

By royal command the Royal Mansour opened its stately bronze doors to offer a lavish experience. The spa is set in a leafy lime tree- filled courtyard. In the reception area, sunlight spills through a beautiful sky-scraping lattice canopy, casting star-shaped shadows into the all-white room with gold cushioned banquettes. Morocco is just the country in which to try a hammam, and here it takes place in traditionally decorated rooms.

The signature treatment involves lying on a marble table and being drenched with warm water; you’re left to soak up the steam rising from a flowing hot tap, before being scrubbed with black soap, and slathered with rhassoul white clay mud. Infused with essential oils, you are then rinsed and dipped in a plunge pool.

Dinner fit for a king, either French or Moroccan, is served under the sophisticated watch of three-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Then the rooftop beckons to wind down next to the fireplace listening to the call to prayer echoing across the city.