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Are you sitting comfortably? No, you're probably tense from school, work or life's little stresses.
Well, picture this: You're enjoying days of relaxing rubs and scrubs, in an environment immersed in nature, and with you treated like royalty.
We're not talking the usual spa trek to Sentosa, or to Bintan and the delights of the more commercialised resorts there.
One of the hottest bliss-out options these days is to venture further out into South-east Asia. For there are a plethora of other spa resorts a mere two-hour flight away, offering identical services to ones closer to home - and at reasonable prices, too.
For example, a basic hydrating facial in Singapore can cost up to $100, but a similar treatment costs only $18.50 in the Plantation Bay resort in the central Philippine city of Cebu.
The South-east Asian spa scene is in the spotlight right now as the Spa Asia Wellness Summit is on this week at the Thai resort destination of Hua Hin. The event ends tomorrow.
As many spa enthusiasts would be quick to point out - if they weren't far too relaxed to lift their heads after a soothing massage, that is - South-east Asia, with its relatively lower price of labour, beautiful greenery and tropical climate, has got much to offer.
Singaporeans are starting to cotton on to the region's spa offerings in a bigger way. Christine Galle, sales and marketing representative for the award-winning spa resort Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, says Singaporeans make up 20 per cent of its guests from Asia.
The resort clearly hits the right spot: Galle adds that of all their guests, 42 per cent are repeat visitors.
Certainly, for the jaded Singapore spa-goer, resorts elsewhere offer a new experience.
Germaine Lim, co-owner of Singapore-based this&that spa which combines both treatments and - yes! - retail 'therapy', feels Singapore lacks spas with ambience.
She says: 'We do not have any spas where you can enjoy a massage under a canopy, or look out at the sea while enjoying a rain shower treatment.'
Urban brings you the latest info on eight places in South-east Asia where you can soak up the lush life.
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COLMAR TROPICALE, PAHANG (Malaysia)
Tucked away from the city in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, the Japanese-themed Tatami Spa at the Colmar Tropicale resort combines privacy with majestic beauty. Be pampered as you lie and gaze out at the natural forest.
The art of spoiling yourself at the resort includes furo (spa bathing) and onsen, which is an outdoor hot bath with special ingredients and a outdoor massage.
Cost: Services range from RM400 (S$171) to RM990.
Getting there: A 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and 10km off the East-West Karak Highway. NUSA
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DUA BEACH HOTEL & SPA, BALI (Indonesia)
Located on the sun-drenched shores of Nusa Dua, Bali, this five-star property has 9.4ha of gardens and 381 rooms and suites.
Cost: A favourite is the US$225++ (S$356) Palace Spa package. Services include private check-in and check-out, aromatherapy, Balinese facial, a natural facial using 'Sari Ayu' (which literally means the essence of a beautiful girl in Malay) and water-based treatment. There are complimentary airport transfers and 24-hour butler services.
Getting there: Limousines and taxis are available at airport.
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PLANTATION BAY, CEBU (The Philippines)
Set in 11.4ha of secluded grounds in Cebu, it claims to be one of the largest privately owned waterways in the world.
The spa's setting is evocative of a mountain canyon with its thundering waterfalls, creeks and mist. Complete with a hot spring, mineral bath and a waterfall basin, Plantation Bay is a back-to-nature experience.
Cost: Treatments range from 600 Philippine pesos (S$18.70) to 3,800 Philippine pesos.
Getting there: Scheduled transport from the airport runs several times a day.
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TANJUNG RHU RESORT, LANGKAWI (Malaysia)
This resort consists of 446ha of mangroves, waterways, limestone crags and sandy beaches, creating a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.
One of the packages offered by the resort involves a stay at its Jiva Rhu Spa. This spa has an open and airy design with 12 independent villas in a stretch of gardens.
It offers a variety of treatments, including the Rainforest Shower. This begins with a sea salt scrub, followed by a shower that imitates rainfall.
Cost: Treatments range from RM100 (S$43) to RM1,000.
Getting there: Domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Penang Airport several times daily. Also ferry trips daily from Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah.
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THE OBEROI LOMBOK (Indonesia)
A hideaway with 9.7ha of tropical gardens, shimmering ocean and golden sands along a private beach.
A favourite treatment is the Mandi Lulur, a revitalising massage followed by a bath in tropical flowers.
Cost: From US$270 (S$427) to US$952 per night, depending on the type of room and if it is during peak season.
Getting there: Flights run five times a day from Jakarta International Airport and Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport to Lombok's Selaparang (Ampenan-Mataram) Airport. When in Lombok, the airport is a 45-minute drive away.
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THE SPA AT DATAI, LANGKAWI (Malaysia)
This was the runner-up in the Best Hotel Spa in the Asia category in Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards last year.
The Datai, located at the north- western tip of Langkawi, is an idyllic retreat in the depths of ancient rainforest.
Its signature Datai Massage is a fusion of shiatsu, Thai, Balinese and Hawaiian Lomi. Lomi is done by two therapists working together. Also, try the Shirodhara, a health and beauty treatment in one. It relieves headaches and backaches, as well as smooths your facial lines by relaxing various muscles.
Cost: From RM1,480 (S$634) to RM9,200 per room for two, a night, depending on room type and length of stay.
Getting there: Domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Penang Airport several times daily.
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EVASON ANA MANDARA & SIX SENSES SPA, NHA TRANG (Vietnam)
Reminiscent of an old Vietnamese village, and furnished with native wood and rattan, the resort in Nha Trang is totally charming.
There are three sunken outdoor treatment beds, surrounded by pools and miniature waterfalls so you can relax to the therapeutic sound of running water. Private beds on stilts are surrounded by coconut trees.
Cost: The Design Your Own Full Day Spa Escape is the most popular. Choose any three treatments and top them off with a manicure, pedicure and a traditional Vietnamese floral bath, at US$190 (S$300) a person.
Getting there: Minutes away from Nha Trang Airport. Transits from Ho Chi Minh Airport run several times daily, and there is a VIP transit lounge for resort guests at Ho Chi Minh Airport.
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CHIVA-SOM, HUA HIN (Thailand)
It seems Singaporeans are in on the secret. They make up 20 per cent of the Asian guests at the Chiva-Som resort in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Voted Best Overseas Destination Spa by prestigious magazine Conde Nast Traveller in 2004, the Chiva-Som resort (above) is on Hua Hin beach, 220km south of Bangkok.
A special feature of the spa is the inclusion of organic ingredients grown on the farm, owned by the resort, that are hand-picked right before use.
The resort offers a variety of packages such as a spa retreat and a yoga retreat.
Cost: Ranges from US$510 (S$806) to US$1,090 per night, depending on room type and length of stay.
Getting there: The resort arranges limousine pick-ups at US$175 each way per person from Hua Hin airport. There are four flights daily from Bangkok.
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