Meeting with the UK’s favourite spa authority, Jo Foley, tomorrow!  Listen to her last word on the wonders of spa holidays in South Africa.

We just can’t get enough of the Alila Hotels and Villas. Designed by some of the world’s leading architects, these ultraluxe resorts are uber chic and gorgeously green. Combining sophisticated eco-sense with beautifully understated design, these five star hotels reach a new zenith in designer luxury.

Three of Alila’s newest properties—Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Villas Hadahaa and Alila Diwa Goa were all named to Conde Nast Traveler’s USA Hot List Hotels 2010. Alila Villas Uluwatu was also named in Conde Nast Traveller UK’s The Hot List 2010. The Spa by Mandara at Alila Villas Hadahaa was awarded the Eco Spa of the Year at the 2009 AsiaSpa Awards, while Singapore-based SCDA Architects’ innovative design of Alila Villas Hadahaa in southern Maldives earned it the coveted International Architecture Award 2010.

Alila Hotels & Resorts will expand its presence in Laos and India with the opening of two distinctive properties this October – Alila Luang Prabang and Alila Bangalore. These two openings follow closely on the heels of Alila’s four successful openings last year, and will bring Alila’s portfolio of hotels and resorts to a total of 12 properties.

Oooh aaaaaaaaahhh! They’re hot!

We’ll just have to keep holding our breaths a little while longer now that the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok in Thailand is open for business with promises the own brand, Kempinski the Spa, is on its away. 

The 303 luxury room, cabana and suite property in the centre of the city is Kempinski’s 64th iconic property worldwide. Kempinski, headquartered in Geneva, was established in 1897 in Berlin and is today Europe’s oldest luxury hotel brand.

The Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, which is adjacent to the Siam Paragon lifestyle mall, is home to hundreds of Thai art works commissioned and displayed throughout the property.  All rooms overlook large tropical landscaped gardens with extensive water features and three saltwater swimming pools.  It’s all too tempting…

Kempinski The Spa is scheduled to open in a few weeks’ time …watch this space for more news and pictures on its debut.

We love the look of Glasgow’s newest luxury hotel, Blythswood Square, and its 10,000 square feet luxury spa scheduled to open this September!   Can’t resist the sound of their Turus treatments –bursting with local beauty ingredients like milk thistle, cedarwood, juniper oil, sea lavendar and seaweed from the Hebrides.  Scottish seduction indeed!   Check out their special opening offer – a 1 hour treatment with the chance to relax in their extensive thermal experience, followed by afternoon tea in The Salon all for £95.00.

Auriga Spa at Capella Singapore is on my spucket (spa+bucket ) list of luxury spas.  Now there are two more shiny reasons:  a cellulite busting Body Sculpting treatment that uses green coffee & chili oil to heat the body and wilt away fatty deposits on your hips, thighs, waist and tummy, and a Collagen Boost Anti Ageing Facial that combines massage techniques, lymphatic drainage, acupressure, anti-ageing herbs  and antioxidants to lift and tone my sagging jowls.   I’m feeling brighter already….

Devoted to pleasure at the new Shanti Maurice

God knows, we all love a good party, but the atmosphere at last night’s Mason Rose Summer Client Event was electric, a perfect evening mixer for sipping champers and sharing news. Joanna and I caught up with MR’s Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications, Maria Pajares, who introduced us to Debora Berardi of Inaria Design, the creative geniuses behind Shanti Maurice’s recent relaunch under the Nira Hotels & Resorts portfolio.  Inaria was appointed to create the resort’s brand strategy, brand identity, sales & marketing collateral, website and art direct the resort’s new photography.

According to Debora, the new Shanti Maurice is ’devoted to pleasure’ , offering its guests endless opportunities  to absorb the local culture and experience the indigenous delights of this stunning seaside paradise.   The new Nira Spa boasts the largest spa facilities on the island and now offers Africology massage  and healing treatments, combining the best of ancient African traditions and ingredients with modern techniques for energy-balancing and body and soul resusitation. 

It sounded so seductive, I’d have been on a plane if the boss didn’t need a ride back to the office ;).  So many luxury spa holidays, so little time…

Kudos to Corinthia Hotel Lisbon for the coolest list of summer culture events!  From the Super Bock Super Rock concert on Friday 16 July 2010 to Sunday 18 July 2010 with headliners Keane, the Stereophonics and Prince to Lisbon’s Cool Jazz Fest, now in its 7th year spotlighting superstars from the national and international music scene, including Norah Jones, Corrine Bailey Rae,  and Elvis Costello, Lisbon is the place to be for spaficionados who love their music almost as much as their massages! 

Ooooh!  So, so exciting!!!  Last night, I was honoured to attend Kempinski’s cocktail reception at the luxurious roof top terrace of the Royal Festival Hall.  I met up with James Phillips, Kempinski’s Regional Director Global Sales Europe over a martini or two and spoke with several representatives from Kempinski’s renowned hotels from around the world.   Of particular interest was the stunning Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva, where they are opening a new multi-million pound luxury spa next week!   The new Le Spa is home to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a Yoga studio, 12 stunning treatment rooms, plus a VIP suite with private hammam.  It offers a  fabulous menu of spa treatments.   The one I am desperate to try (especially after all the cocktails last night ) is Le Spa’s  ‘Ko Bi Do’ youthful face care-massage to plump up the sagging bags under my eyes!   The stunning five-star hotel is set in the epicentre of global culture, right on Lake Geneva with fantastic views of Jet d’Eau, Mont  Blanc and the French Alps, offering the perfect spa break in one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities!

1) Gstaad’s Rent-a-Palace – Just imagine having it all to yourself (and 99 other people of your choice)!  Where are my glass slippers when I need them?

2) Aqua Sheko — London´s first fish therapy concept spa.  Can’t wait to try the ultimate pedicure.   The already popular Asian beauty treatment uses Garra Rufa fish, a form of carp, to gently remove dead skin. The fish have no teeth and use a sucking motion during the 30 minute treatments in private pools to painlessly lift away dead skin without damaging the new health cells underneath.  Talk about tickling my fancy… or should I say toes?

South Africa is home to some of the world’s most stunning spas. Read our wrap up of the top 16 spas to check out while watching the World Cup 2010.