My 31-year-old daughter and I would like a week-long visit to a spa next
February in either Kerala or the Maldives. We would like somewhere not too
isolated (so we can venture out in the evening) and somewhere known for its
good food. Have you any suggestions? Rosie Penna, UK
Times Online spa expert, Miranda Allard responds: Kerala and the
Maldives could not be more different!
The Maldives are staggeringly beautiful islands with white coral sands
and heavenly aqua blue water and there are some seriously wonderful spas to
be found. However, as each resort is an island in itself there is nowhere to
wander off to in the evenings and all meals can only be taken in one of the
resort restaurants. If good food is important then you really do need to go
to one of the more upmarket resorts. Due to lack of arable land most produce
beyond fish and coconuts is imported into the islands - you definitely get
what you pay for and it’s not cheap!
The spas on the luxury island resorts are extremely good with a philosophy of
“East meets West” thereby offering a treatment menu to suit all. Budget is
not mentioned in your question. Island
Hideaway, Soneva Fushi
and Coco Palm are three I would
recommend though the first two are pricey. Both Island Hideaway and Soneva
Fushi are large islands by Maldivian standards and offer a bit more space
with bikes to use as transport. Coco Palm is less expensive but still very
popular and all three can be reached by seaplane offering a sensational
start and finish to the holiday.
Kerala on the other hand is India. Most spas are purely Ayurveda
centres and if local culture and a traditional Indian spa experience is what
you are after then this is the place. The Southern country is famous for its
waterways and there is certainly more to explore when not in the spa. The
beaches are large and open but not in the same league as the Maldives – this
is ocean rather than coral reef waters.
International food is not always good but there are many local restaurants
with excellent spicy dishes to try. Taj
Green Cove Resort sounds like a serious option for you. The hotel is
wonderful, the spa also offers international and Western treatments as well
as Ayurveda and you can walk to nearby shops and restaurants. To be nearer
the waterways Kumarakom Lake Resort is
better positioned for small barge nature excursions through the jungle while
still offering a great spa holiday.
Miranda Allard runs SpaContacts.com
which features a limited selection of spas invited by her to join
Have you got a question for our spa expert? Email
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for relaxing in the sun,maldives,and to explore,go diving or snorkeling...in the maldives!!
ricky, male', Maldives
I would recommend you to choose Maldives. It is small but wonderful
Joseph, Pilsen, Czech Rep.
if you really are looking for the best Spas in the Maldives those are the Spas in Villa Resorts (ROyal ISland Resort & Spa, Sun Island Resort & Spa, Paradise Island Resort & Spa). there is no doubt that anybody in the industry will disagree with me. on the other hand when you want good meals Sun Island is the resort Island in Maldives with maximum number of outlets(restaurants & bars)
Ibrahim RAsheed, Male', Maldives
The Maldives!!!
Mohinder Suresh, Delhi, India
If you really want to have a THE BEST HOLIDAY with spa, than you should come to Malidves
I like to recommend some of teh very unique exclusive resorts in Maldives.
Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru - male' Atoll
Alidhoo island - a 50 minute picturesque flight from male' , into northen most domestic airfield of Hanimaadhoo, followed by a 15mins spedboat ride through the HAA ALIF ATOLL.
Royal island - another resort with the best SPA
Rilwan , Male, Maldives