SPA EDITION

They visit the best beauty spots around the globe for a living, so they know what they’re talking about. We asked ELLE beauty editors to pick their favourite spa in their home country – now all you have to do is fetch your passport and slip into your robe

South Africa

CHELSEA AESTHETIC CENTRE, CAPE TOWN; CHELSEASPA.CO.ZA “I’ve been going here for years and it’s never let me down. The facials are out of this world. Getting one of the 90-minute Luxury Facials is my guilty pleasure. The neighbourhood is also full of galleries, restaurants and home decor boutiques so it’s perfect for browsing afterwards. Eat at Four & Twenty (fourandtwentycafe.co.za) for the best breakfast.” Nicole Newman, beauty editor, ELLE SOUTH AFRICA

Brazil

AIGAI SPA, SÃO PAULO; AIGAISPA.COM.BR “It’s a big and incredible house that makes you feel like you’re outside the chaos of a big city. The My Spa treatment allows you to rent space upstairs for hours – perfect for small groups. There’s a heated pool, steam room and a room for massages.

It’s expensive, but it’s a luxury experience like no other. Don’t miss the horizontal shower, which is a huge stone you lie on while water and lights activate different areas of your body.” Thais Schreiner, beauty editor, ELLE BRAZIL

Thailand

DII WELLNESS MED SPA, BANGKOK; DII-DIVANA.COM “It’s inside a really luxurious department store, so it’s relaxing from the minute you step inside. The Airnergy De-stress is a 90-minute massage perfect for the time zone-crossing traveller. Appointments fill up quickly so make sure you book in advance. Once you’re finished, head to the basement of the department store for a self-service restaurant with countless Thai street-food options. Grab a southern crab yellow curry or papaya salad.” Nuttika Ongksirimemongkol, beauty director, ELLE THAILAND

Spain

THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BARCELONA; MANDARINORIENTAL. COM/BARCELONA “The treatments here are incredible and so is the swimming pool. Book yourself in for a Bastien Gonzalez pedicure – it’s relaxing and feels almost medical. Before the treatment, head to my favourite place in Barcelona just around the corner, La Cuina d’en Garriga (lacuinadengarriga.com), for a delicious breakfast.” María Fernández-miranda, beauty director, ELLE SPAIN

Italy

LEFAY RESORT & SPA LAGO DI GARDA, GARGNANO; LAGODIGARDA. LEFAYRESORTS.COM “I love this place – especially the swimming pool in front of the lake. It’s the first organic spa in Italy combining the principles of Chinese medicine with science. Book in for the Gocce di Lago – a massage with the typical essences of the region. Precious Lefay olive oil, enriched with the fresh essence of lemon and lavender, is massaged into skin, leaving it radiant and soft.” Sabrina Bottone, beauty editor, ELLE ITALY

Japan

ROYAL OAK HOTEL SPA & GARDENS, OTSU CITY; ROYALOAKHOTEL.CO.JP/EN “In Otsu, near Kyoto, you’ll find an original site for the ancient practice of moxibustion, which is about stimulating circulation and balancing the yin and yang energies in the body. I like the Basic Rakanwa Phyto Therapy, which treats the whole body, minus the stomach. You’ll want to add on one of the 20-minute options, too – a head massage, herbal tonic balls or a flower bath.” Hiromi Yomnehara, senior beauty editor, ELLE JAPAN

Argentina

FAENA SPA AT FAENA HOTEL, BUENOS AIRES; FAENA.COM/BUENOS-AIRES/ “Argentina has many important areas for thermal water. Depending on which region you’re in, the waters have different chemical and mineral compositions. I love the Faena Hotel for its magnificent hamam and because the treatments (the massages particularly) combine modern techniques with those of ancient ritual healers and New-age styles. Book in for the Basic Chakra package, which includes meditation, yoga, chakras juice, four-hand massage, facial, pranic healing, a lovely vegetarian lunch and access to the relaxation room, sauna, hamam and a private jacuzzi.” Arlette Barrionuevo, fashion and beauty editor, ELLE ARGENTINA

China

WILLOW STREAM SPA AT FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL, SHANGHAI; FAIRMONT.COM/ PEACE-HOTEL-SHANGHAI/ “Lots of ancient diagnotics and traditional Chinese healing methods are delivered at this spa, which is reminiscent of China in the glamour of the ’20s and ’30s. I love the Paris Of East treatment, which combines modern beauty routines and age-old practices. Therapists perform the signature Jade Facial and Chinese Tuina Massage simultaneously, doubling the benefits in the same time.” Daisy Cai, deputy beauty director, ELLE CHINA