Treat Yourself To Spa Luxury In Dominican Republic #GoDomRep

The country's diverse natural beauty offers

 the perfect setting for rejuvenation and restoration

 Set against a backdrop of diverse natural beauty,

 Dominican Republic is an idyllic destination 

for travelers seeking world-class luxury and

 spa offerings to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.

Luxury takes many forms in the country,

 providing rest and relaxation in unique

 settings that include

 bustling cities, all-inclusive resorts and eco lodges tucked away in the tropical jungle.

"We are a country known for spectacular nature, but also for our warm people and hospitality," said 

Magaly Toribio, marketing advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "When you bring 

the two together, it's easy to see why Dominican Republic is home to some of the best destination

 spas and luxury tourism in the Caribbean and the world."

In easy-to-access Punta Cana on Dominican Republic's east coast, spa aficionados don't have to

 look far for pampering. All-inclusive hotels—perfect for families or budget-conscious travelers—are 

dotted along the coast and throughout the region, many offering on-site spas. Most spas come fully

 equipped with amenities such as whirlpools and saunas, with menus of familiar services including

 facials, full-body treatments, massages and beauty services—perfect for brides or for guests visiting

 for a special occasion. Punta Cana is also home to luxury boutique accommodations that offer unique

 wraps and body scrubs that revitalize the skin using natural ingredients such as coffee or hot lava

 stones. Boutique properties also may offer yoga lessons and healthy cooking classes to provide

 a well-rounded wellness experience. For visitors that love to shop, nearby Bávaro is home to

 familiar designer brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Swarovski and others.

La Romana, a favorite getaway among celebrities, is a chic coastal area replete with spa offerings

 across the region. This ultimate luxury destination is an ideal spot for seaside pampering, with an

 array of boutique and all-inclusive resorts offering spa services that run the gamut from facials to

 intimate couples' massages. Need to stock up on your favorite top-of-the-line skin care products?

 Book a stay with a resort that has its own spa boutique. For entertainment outside of the spa,

 visit the nearby Casa de Campo marina to partake in world-class sport fishing and polo or tour a 

cigar factory to learn about one of Dominican Republic's oldest traditions and finest exports.

Away from the bustling hubs of Punta Cana and La Romana, Barahona is an unspoiled tropical

 Eden on the southwest coast of Dominican Republic. Nature-lovers will be in spa heaven after 

booking a stay at one of the area's luxury eco hotels, offering organic and natural treatments for

 guests in the tranquil setting of Barahona's coastal and wooded areas. From exfoliation to healing, 

it's easy to find peace in both body and mind in Barahona.  

Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic, offers relaxation from the comfort of a

 cosmopolitan hotspot. Several hotels offer on-site spas and an assortment of amenities and 

treatments, from massages to manicures and pedicures. After a relaxing spa day, take advantage

 of your close proximity to everything the capital has to offer, from high-end shopping featuring

 brands such as Armani Exchange, Massimo Dutti and Carolina Herrera, to the historic charm

 of the Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Relax in a local cigar club to experience

 one of Dominican Republic's fine cigars with a rum drink in-hand.

In the northeast Samaná peninsula, visitors can rejuvenate by booking a massage or spa 

treatment or connecting with their spiritual side in yoga and meditation classes, offered at

 many resorts. Just west of Samaná, tourists will find Puerto Plata—an area that routinely

 attracts adventure seekers for kite surfing, ATVing and more. After a day of adventure, a trip

 to the spa is the perfect way to unwind. Area spas and on-site spa facilities at resorts offer 

facials, massages and other treatments for a restorative experience that addresses needs

 ranging from stress relief to anti-aging. For yogis, some companies offer dedicated yoga

 retreats to refresh the mind—the perfect complement to a relaxing day at the spa.

If you're ready to relax and indulge both your mind and body, learn more about Dominican Republic's

 luxury offerings atwww.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

About Dominican Republic 
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical 

and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, magnificent resorts and hotels, and 

a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse pounding

 thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics

 of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in

 our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.

Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other,

 featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and 

festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue,

 amber and larimar.

Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen

 escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's

 official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

Download the Go Dominican Republic App, available in the App Store and Google Play

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @GoDomRep Like us on Facebook GoDominicanRepublic

The World's Best New Spas

 By Krisanne Fordham, for CNN

(CNN)Whether it's a full-scale detox or just a serious pamper session, there's no shortage of terrific spas to choose from.

The past year alone has seen the debut of hundreds of wellness oases across the globe -- a sign, perhaps, that spas have transitioned from being a mere extravagance to an essential part of travel.

From health retreats on Sicily's sun-kissed Mediterranean coast to high-end hammams in the Caribbean, we've handpicked the world's 10 best new spas, based on service, treatments, amenities and ambiance.

Rocco Forte Spa at Verdura Resort (Sicily, Italy)

There's no spa in Italy quite like the new, 43,000-square-foot Rocco Forte Spa on Sicily's southwest coast.

For starters, it sits on its own private stretch of coastline, with uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean from almost every angle.

Unsurprisingly, the focus here is on thalassotherapy: the medicinal and therapeutic use of seawater and marine elements.

It has an extensive thalassotherapy circuit, consisting of four outdoor pools offering varying levels of salinity and heat.

Treatments, like the Seaweed Body Scrub ($130), incorporate locally sourced marine ingredients like kelp, sea salt and micronized algae to purify and detoxify the body.

Thalassotherapy aside, there's also an infrared sauna, a 65-foot-long swimming pool and a juice bar that serves up organic, antioxidant-packed juices all day long.

 

Spa at Ritz-Carlton, Bali (Bali, Indonesia)

Though it's just six months old, the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Bali is already proving to be as impressively luxurious as the hotel itself.

Decked out in suar wood and glossy marble, the spa features a state-of-the-art hydromassage pool comprising of five sections that target different areas of the body.

There are also two Jacuzzis, cold plunge pools, steam and sauna rooms, and a yoga studio overlooking the Indian Ocean.

In addition to 14 free-standing treatment rooms, there are four private spa villas outfitted with their own Balinese bathing pools and open-air lounges.

Treatments blend ancient Balinese methods and modern techniques, and incorporate locally harvested ingredients like coconuts, seaweed and pearls, which are said to have nourishing antioxidant properties.

 

Shiseido Spa at Excelsior Hotel Gallia (Milan, Italy)

Shiseido is now Milan's largest spa.

Sprawled across the sixth and seventh floors of the plush new Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Milan's newest spa -- opened late last year -- is also the largest in the city, clocking in at just under 11,000 square feet.

It has an indoor swimming pool with hydromassage and waterfalls, a Turkish hammam, an ice room and even a salt chamber, with walls made from sea salt imported from the Himalayas (said to promote better breathing).

But guests are really here for the high-tech treatments: The spa uses a cutting-edge Japanese formulation called Skingenecell 1P, said to be the first ingredient in the world to repel the fundamental cause of skin damage and aging.

After something a little more low-key?

The spa's Zen Bathing Ceremony ($285), a two-hour-long, mineral-rich soak, is a perfect pick-me-up.

Thai House at Zemi Beach House Resort and Spa (Shoal Bay, Anguilla)

This isn't just any thatched-roof island spa: the newly opened Thai House is a full-fledged wellness center on the shores of Shoal Bay.

Here can be found the island's only hammam, a meditation garden, mud deck, yoga studio, hydrotherapy showers and vitality pool set to guests' body temperature.

There's even a juice bar.

Its treatment rooms, built inside a traditional, 300-year-old Thai House (hence the name), have their own private relaxation lounges with ocean or garden views.

Treatments are inspired by the wellness rituals of the local Taino people and use the healing benefits of local herbs, flowers, mud and sea salt.

The signature Zemi Sun Ritual ($305), for example, uses salt, papaya and macadamia nuts to exfoliate skin, followed by an oil treatment infused with local frangipani and jasmine oils.

Baglioni SPA at Baglioni Hotel London (London)

Baglioni SPA offers a select menu of 14 treatments.

Located in the bustling heart of London opposite Kensington Park, this sleek newcomer feels like an oasis hidden in plain sight.

Launched in 2015 after a total makeover, the spa is ultramodern yet earthy, with nature-inspired artwork, warm colors and dark wood decor throughout.

With just five treatment rooms and a menu of only 14 treatments, the cozy spa focuses on quality over quantity.

As a result, treatments are as indulgent and luxurious as possible, from circulation-boosting 24-carat gold masks ($200), to diamond nectar-infused facials ($180) said to reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten skin.

There's even a rare facial made just for gents ($120) which uses green tea and mushroom extracts to detoxify and reduce pore size.

Spa at Bernardus Lodge (Carmel Valley, California)

The views from the newly relaunched spa at Bernardus Lodge are worth the visit alone.

Situated in the heart of Monterey wine country, it's flanked by 28 acres of sun-drenched vineyards, orchards and oak forests.

It has all the features of a five-star spa: a sprawling pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a eucalyptus steam room, Vichy showers, a dry sauna and a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center.

But it's the spa's strict "garden-to-treatment" philosophy -- which sources ingredients used in treatments from the lodge's own organic garden -- that makes it truly stand out.

Everything from facials to pedicures are infused with homegrown lavender, mint, rosemary and Chardonnay grapes from the lodge's own vineyards.

Guests can even soak in a Chardonnay-infused bubble bath.

Spa at Reverie Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Opened last September, this two-level, 13,000-square-foot space is more like a full-fledged wellness center than a hotel spa.

With two open-air Jacuzzis, an 80-foot-long (almost Olympic-sized) swimming pool, several thermal areas and a 1,300-square-foot gym, it's the largest spa in the city.

It's also as unabashedly opulent as the hotel itself, decked out completely in Carrara marble, hand-laid mosaics and gold accents.

Treatments are fittingly decadent, from mother-of-pearl scrubs ($90) to over-the-top couples' treatments featuring red wine body wraps and massages by candlelight, with champagne and caviar refreshments ($820).

Bohemia Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Prague (Prague)

In the heart of Old Town Prague, with sweeping vistas over the Vltava river, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, Prague's newest spa might also be its loveliest.

Location aside, the space is architecturally striking -- set in a historic neoclassical building that shares the same elegant Baroque touches as the hotel itself.

Inside are mineral-rich thermal baths and an oxygen-intensified vitality pool said to have healing properties.

Treatments are inspired by traditional Czech and Hungarian therapies and use local ingredients like linden oil, drawn from the blossoms of the Czech Republic's national tree.

Though the new space won't officially open until the summer, a taste of its treatments can be found at the hotel's current spa, which continues to be fully operational.

Spa at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain (Sichuan, China)

Spa at Six Senses focuses on traditional Chinese therapies.

Situated in the picturesque foothills of China's Qing Cheng Mountain -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- this brand new spa's tranquil, river valley setting is as healing as the treatments themselves.

Here, traditional Chinese therapies and Tao principles reign supreme, with little regard for modern, Western spa trends.

Instead of high-tech treatments, there's acupuncture, cupping, which uses heated cups to promote circulation, and Gua Sha, which detoxifies and heals through repeated, pressurized strokes.

In lieu of stem cell-infused creams and diamond nectar serums, wraps and scrubs are formulated from simple but potent local ingredients like gingko, lotus, ginger and bamboo.

 

Thermes Marins at Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Thermes Marins, which underwent a multimillion dollar makeover and relaunched last year, is exactly the kind of spa you'd expect to see in Monaco.

The ultramodern, four-level space overlooks Monte Carlo Harbor and boasts its own hammam, an ocean-facing saltwater pool, a state-of-the-art gym and a full-service beauty salon.

It's also home to the only spa in Europe with a cryotherapy complex, which consists of two cold chambers set at -60 C and -110 C. (Cryotherapy is said to stimulate the immune system, treat inflammation and help with anti-aging).

There's even a dedicated organic restaurant onsite, L'Hirondelle, which serves up seasonal dishes of 500 calories or less.

Ottawa Emerging As Leading Spa And Wellness Tourism Destination

The city of Ottawa is emerging as a leading destination for spa and wellness tourism thanks to an ever-growing wealth of product, high-end facilities and great value packages.

For starters, Canada’s capital is home to the largest spa in North America. The Scandinavian-inspired Nordik Nature Spa, located near the entrance to beautiful Gatineau Park, is just a 15-minute drive north of downtown Ottawa. It is one of only two places in the world where you can receive a relaxing Källa treatment, floating in its saltwater pool.

This summer saw Nordik launch its Massana Nature outdoor massage rooms (summertime only). Other standout facilities include seven outdoor pools; cascades; infinity pool; and eight saunas, backed by an excellent restaurant and cosy group accommodation in rustic lodges amid forested surroundings. Don’t miss the signature Aufguss ritual, an aromatherapy experience in a sauna which uses water enriched with essential oils.

At Holtz Spa, a day spa in downtown Ottawa, programs range from Algo Slim and a 30-Day Detox to the signature Shankara Signature Ayurvedic Body Samahdi featuring various tailored treatments including a nourishing herbal wrap and a Tibetan Foot Balancing treatment. There is even an award-winning restaurant on site called Santé.

Men are also spoilt for choice. Aside from the male-only Bodé Spa, which offers everything from massage treatments to male grooming, many of the local spas offer comprehensive male treatment menus.

Thanks to Ottawa Tourism’s Sip, Savour & Spa promotion* wellness fans can also make some big savings when booking treatments in the city’s spas combined with accommodation and activities ranging from romantic dinners to gourmet walking tours in the buzzing ByWard Market district.

Jantine Van Kregten, Director of Communications at Ottawa Tourism, says, “Ottawans have always been a health-conscious bunch but in recent years the city’s wellness offering has been taken to a whole new level.

“The variety of options on offer in the capital region nowadays is staggering. Aside from visitors having the rare opportunity to experience Källa treatments at Nordik, and the top-notch facilities at hotel spas like Au Naturel, another thing that sets Ottawa’s offering apart is fusion of traditional approaches with local touches. One great example is the body lotions that Holtz Spa uses in some of its treatments ─ they’ve been infused with maple syrup from Fulton’s, a local farm. Let me tell you, those lotions smell incredible!”

Many of the finest offerings can be found in the city’s top hotels such as Hotel Indigo and the Brookstreet hotel, whose Au Naturel spa offers treatments for men, women, couples and brides.

The Health Club at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier hotel offers everything from personal training and health assessments to massage therapy, not to mention a unique indoor art-deco swimming pool, while the Westin Ottawa’s facilities include an indoor heated saltwater swimming pool and therapeutic whirlpool. Guests at the Ottawa Marriott are also well looked after with its recently refurbished Vivianna Day Spa, located in the Kent Club on the 4th floor, catering to individuals, groups or parties.

Can’t be bothered to leave your hotel room? Mobile spa services such as Spa Smart Ottawa will come to your hotel room or other location or event. They even feature spa menus for children and a special spa party menu that includes mini-treatments for groups of five or more guests. Meanwhile, ARC the.hotel, the first hotel in North America to feature THANN all-natural spa amenities in its guest rooms, offers in-room treatments such as jetlag-combatting massages and pedicures using therapists from Bodé Spa.

Van Kregten adds: “It’s not all about the spas and their treatments, of course. Activities such as hiking in Gatineau Park or paddling the Rideau Canal, or (in winter) snowshoeing in the Greenbelt that surrounds Ottawa and cross-country skiing in Gatineau Park, can also be very ‘zen’ and relaxing.”

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport