Wellness Rituals with a Local Touch

There’s nothing quite as special as being cocooned in restful rejuvenation at a serene spa. And, for me, that experience is made infinitely more fulfilling when I am immersed in the traditions, wisdom and ingredients of my destination. 

There’s a delight in discovering something that transcends simple relaxation and which offers a glimpse into wellness customs so deeply rooted in the regional culture. From Dead Sea salt massages in Jordan to al fresco Alpine water therapy in St Moritz and invigorating coffee scrubs with a side order of wildlife in Masai Mara, here’s my selection of spa experiences with a uniquely local feel and flavour, to inspire your next stay.

Soothing salt waters of the Dead Sea

BEST FOR: A MINERAL INFUSION TO BOOST SKIN, SPIRIT AND SOUL

The therapeutic and healing properties of the Dead Sea have been widely documented throughout history, with stories of the legendary effects of this body of water passed down through generations. And at The Ishtar Spa by Resense, you’ll be perched on the shores of this natural phenomenon, so it’s only fitting that every bit of its power is harnessed for an extraordinary wellness experience.

Picture yourself re-energising and re-charging in the salt waters of the indoor Dead Sea pools at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, before indulging in a facial, scrub, wrap or polish where you’ll literally feel the exfoliating and cleansing minerals soaking into your skin. Also on the menu are treatments featuring Dead Sea mud or warm poultices of Dead Sea salt and herbs to reduce muscular pain and joint stiffness. You may want to opt for The Arabian Massage, inspired by the ancient traditions of Bedouin travellers and incorporating slow, firm, long strokes to release tension. Olive, almond, argan and sandalwood oils, evocative of the desert landscape, are at the heart of the treatments too. Here, the Dead Sea forms the centrepiece of a truly inimitable spa journey. 

Astounding ancient amber in Latvia

BEST FOR: TEASING AWAY TROUBLESOME ACHES AND PAINS

A cornerstone of the culture in the Baltic region and a prized commodity, amber is an ancient resin famed for its natural analgesic qualities and its inherent power to ease aches and pains. Hence, it’s apt that it forms the basis of some of the most tranquil treatments at Kempinski The Spa at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.

Experience its effects first-hand with the Amber Healing Journey experience, combining amber in all its glorious forms. It begins with soothing amber powder swept over the body, followed by an amber sand scrub and finally a full body massage with amber butter and amber rollers gently gliding across the skin. There’s no doubt your body will feel free of tension and your mind relieved of stress when you encounter this natural wonder. And, take my word for it, the local Latvian mud used in the spa also performs miracles on the skin, leaving it velvety soft. Far more than just an opportunity to unwind, the wellness experiences in this peaceful haven promise to ground and connect you to Latvia.

Melt away stress in the majestic Masai Mara

BEST FOR: A COFFEE SCRUB IN THE WIDE OPEN WILDERNESS

There are very few places in the world that offer relaxation quite as magical as this. Cast away any preconceptions of being cosseted inside an opulent spa and instead picture yourself being pampered while the incredible wildlife of Kenya parades past at Kempinski The Spa at Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara.

Your treatment will take place in the privacy of your tent or veranda overlooking the wilderness of the Masai Mara, offering you unforgettable views as your therapist eases your muscles and soothes your skin. And the local feel and flavour doesn’t end there, as the spa proudly incorporates ingredients that embody Kenya, including locally sourced brown sugar to exfoliate and leave the skin with a subtle glow. The eponymous Olare Signature Revitalising Coffee Journey is a bespoke massage and scrub using finely ground organic Kenyan coffee to detoxify. Considering its invigorating impact when sipped as part of your morning routine, you can only imagine its energising effects when applied to your skin. Visiting this luxury wellness spa in the heart of the Masai Mara offers a truly individual approach to wellness, grounded in nature and a true sense of place. 

Spa serenity in the Seychelles

BEST FOR: COCONUT AND CINNAMON MASSAGES IN YOUR OWN CABANA

Not only is the Seychelles one of the most captivatingly beautiful places on earth, it also has an abundance of natural resources that lend themselves to the exquisite spa treatments at Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare. 

Locally sourced tropical botanicals are a focal point at Kempinski The Spa, with papaya seeds, vanilla oil, lemongrass, ylang ylang, nutmeg, mango and honey all making mouthwatering additions to the treatment menu. And every element of the coconut, which is in rich supply thanks to the picture-perfect palm trees, is utilised. The finely ground shell buffs away impurities and gently polishes the skin, while warmed virgin coconut oil hydrates, nourishes and soothes face, body and hair. Meanwhile, the island’s treasured spice, cinnamon, has the perfect properties for massage, with its fragrant aroma and inherent antioxidants. To further elevate your spa experience, you can have your treatment in the comfort of your very own cabana and make the most of the gentle rhythms of the calming coast.

Transformative treatments in Türkiye

BEST FOR: THE ULTIMATE TURKISH HAMMAM WITH FOAMING MASSAGE

When reflecting on the array of spa treatments around the world, and the cultural nuances that make them all so appealing, I simply have to mention the traditional Turkish hammam. A prominent part of the empire’s identity for centuries, the hammam is all about purification using the humble power of heat and cold. And at Kempinski Spa by Sanitas at Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Bodrum, an authentic hammam experience that honours Ottoman practices awaits. Revive body and mind in the inviting warmth of a heated room, before enjoying a foaming massage using sweet-scented soaps, all in opulent marble surrounds. The experience is rounded off with a blissful timeout in a cool area that will rebalance your energy and reignite your zest for life.

For another homegrown element, the massages feature bespoke olive oil blends, along with local rose water, honey and milk lotions. So not only will your spa experience restore your inner calm, you’ll also be connecting with the wellness traditions of Türkiye on a more meaningful level.

Inspiring ingredients in Indonesia

BEST FOR: EXOTIC AND AROMATIC MASKS, MASSAGES AND SCRUBS

As one of the most spectacular sun-drenched parts of the world I’ve ever visited, Indonesia has an array of fresh and fragrant ingredients that are all incorporated into the wellness offering at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta. From an exotic boreh mask of rice, ginger, cloves and other island spices and herbs to a turmeric and chamomile lulur that buffs and polishes skin, the ingredients at Kempinski The Spa promise to revive even the most weary among us. 

At the heart of the spa is a pride and passion for Indonesian landscapes and traditions, with centuries of Javanese wisdom as the common thread running through each of the supremely uplifting treatments. Highlights include the muscle-relaxing jasmine-infused herbal bath, the anti-oxidant-rich ketan hitam full body scrub and, finally, traditional Javanese massage to balance the body’s equilibrium. These treatments aren’t just an antidote to today’s stresses and strains, they’re also brimming with cultural richness and celebrate the area’s diverse geography, from calming mountains and cleansing rivers to purifying coastal plains.

Mountain mindfulness in St Moritz

BEST FOR: CLEANSING AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE IN THE ALPINE AIR

At Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St Moritz, the spotlight is very much on the mountains, with every part of the wellness offering embracing the Alpine environs. Without a doubt, one of the high points of any visit to Alpine Spa is a circulation-boosting stroll through the Kneipp stream, or a dip in the granite baths for a traditional water therapy technique that uses contrasts in temperature to stimulate natural healing processes. These quite literally breathtaking treatments are sure to be among the most memorable of any spa experience you’ve encountered around the globe.

The spa also puts European sauna traditions at the core, making it an ideal place to warm up and wind down after a day on the slopes. And there’s a myriad of saunas to choose from: the Finnish sauna to enhance circulation; the bio sauna to invigorate the senses; the herbal sauna to soothe the mind with its aromatic fragrances; and the stone sauna to release stress. Remember to round your day off by drinking from the mineral-rich Mauritius Spring, which has been used since the Bronze Age for curative purposes. This is the ultimate Alpine spa for physical renewal as well as mental clarity.

Mediterranean minerals in Malta

BEST FOR: A SECLUDED SPA BREAK WITH DIVINE HERBAL INGREDIENTS

Nestled in the shimmering Mediterranean is a secluded island with a plethora of secret ingredients that imbue the spa treatments at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Gozo Malta with that little something extra.

With a long heritage in wellness, Malta has Roman baths scattered around the rugged coastline, with natural hot and cold pool formations dotted amongst the limestone rocks. And, just as previous generations used the natural attributes of the landscape to create their own relaxation routines, today we reap the benefits of this area’s lush resources. Kempinski The Spa draws on the sea salt, clay and marine algae from the ocean and fig extract, olive oil, honey, lemon, fennel and thyme essences from the land, all of which lend themselves perfectly to the philosophy of herbalism and healing. The massages also utilise special Gozitan oils infused with lavender, mint, rosemary, sea salt and citrus fruits. Now, just as in past millennia, vitality, renewal and purification remain top of the agenda, and this spa definitely offers guests a glimpse into its distinctive local character.

Enriching and energising traditions in Egypt

BEST FOR: INDULGING IN ICONIC ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CUSTOMS

Paying homage to the longest river in the world, the very foundations of Kempinski The Spa at Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo revolve around this enduring, hydrating, life-giving waterway. The spa is on a quest to create an ambience evocative of the flowing rhythms of the river, the surrounding natural resources and the millennia-old rituals to which it holds the secrets.

While here, you’ll gain an insight into ancient beauty wisdom by virtue of the honey and milk used to soften, hydrate, heal and brighten your skin, while giving a deserving nod to the legend of Queen Cleopatra. The spa also channels the power of local flora and fauna and treatments are enriched with Egyptian rose, jasmine, hibiscus and pomegranate, along with the oils from sweet almond, mandarin, black seed and dates. And, from Egypt’s expansive mineral-rich deserts, Red Sea salt and Aswan red clay have been garnered. Every moment here on the shores of the Nile is rooted in Egypt’s dazzling culture.

Soothing your senses in Singapore

BEST FOR: ALLEVIATING ANXIETY WITH THE SIGNATURE SINGAPORE MASSAGE

As you might expect when you’re staying in the cultural melting pot of Singapore, the influence of the Orient is strong, and this is especially evident at The Spa at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. 

Opt for the signature Singapore Massage, which sees traditional techniques from China, Malaysia and India joining forces in one enriching treatment. You’ll experience a back massage, which relies on the 2,000-year-old Chinese art of Tui Na, and aims to balance your energy flow and promote blood circulation through kneading, pressing and stretching specific acupoints and muscles. Next, your body will benefit from Malaysian abdominal massage, which reduces discomfort and bloating, and finally, the trinity of treatments is complete with an Indian foot massage. Drawing on Ayurvedic traditions, this involves lightly massaging the feet and lower legs to eliminate toxins and release endorphins. This takes the very best elements from these three incredible areas of Asia, combining them into one holistic treatment that promotes harmony and healing.

Tranquil traditions in Thailand

BEST FOR: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WITH THE ULTIMATE THAI MASSAGE

Thailand has earned its place on the global spa stage with its world-famous Thai massage. And there is no finer place in which to experience this in its truest form than at Sindhorn Wellness by Resense at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. This centuries-old Thai massage embodies the essence of wellness rituals – blending deep stretching, yoga-inspired movements, acupressure, and herbal compression to restore energy flow and inner balance. The Thai Compress Massage Experience comes highly recommended – it harnesses all the principles of the traditional Thai massage with the added benefit of warm herbal poultices applied on the muscles to soothe aches and improve circulation.

A spa that puts its cultural heritage front and centre, Sindhorn Wellness by Resense is also not afraid to embrace the modern with some of the most advanced spa experiences in the world sitting alongside more traditional remedies. Prepare to encounter facial treatments using skin type analysis and thermal contrast therapies. This is an example of the two worlds co-existing in beautiful harmony.

Indulging body and mind in idyllic Istria

BEST FOR: HYDRATING OLIVE OIL TREATMENTS

Perched on the Adriatic Sea with picturesque vineyards, mountains and olive groves, Istria is a place like no other, with influences from the cross-section of countries it intersects, including Croatia, Italy and Slovenia. One of its emblems of national pride is its olive oil, and it is fitting, therefore, that this is a key ingredient at the Carolea Spa at Kempinski Hotel Adriatic Istria.

At the heart of this luxury wellness spa experience in Istria is high-quality local olive oil – unrefined, antioxidant-rich, and revered for its regenerative benefits to skin and soul alike. The delectable ingredient list doesn’t end at olive oil – the spa also uses local orange, sage, peppermint, marjoram, pomace and grape seeds. It’s a veritable feast for your senses, and the aromas are almost as good as the feel on your skin. This is undoubtedly a spa that’s at one with its location and rooted in the history of its destination.

For even more wellness retreats, get inspired by our array of Kempinski spa destinations.

If you enjoyed this, continue the theme with Melanie’s piece on relaxing and quiet holiday destinations.