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Thai high
Raise the bar for sybaritic pleasure as ELLE takes you on a truly Thai spa experience.
By Heather Buchan
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The Four Seasons Tented Camp
Nestled in the pristine bamboo jungle along the banks of the Mekong River, which snakes in lazy coils past villages and rice fields, the year-old, 200-acre property with just 15 tents accommodates a maximum of 30 guests at one time. The camp's (if you can call it that) spa is just as intimate, offering authentic Thai treatments in what has to be one of the most luxurious natural spas in the world.
To get to the spa -- two open-air pavilions -- I follow a jungle path under a canopy of feathery bamboo leaves. I am greeted with a bow at the entrance to one pavilion, perched on the side of hill overlooking the San Valley. Fist up, the property's signature Mahout Recovery Treatment. After spending two hours in the jungle bareback on an elephant, my legs are in need of some serious TLC.
Poultices filled with camphor, lime and lemongrass are placed under my legs, warming my stiff muscles into a jello-like state of relaxation, while the rest of my body is gently kneaded using a blend of kaffir lime, lemongrass and lavender oils -- which increase circulation, stimulate adrenal glands and are touted to reduce cellulite.
When I am in a state of semi-consciousness, lulled by the chorus of birds in the surrounding jungle, my therapist begins the next treatment, the Ytsara On Yao Anti Aging Facial using fresh ingredients sourced from nature -- papaya, tamarind, jasmine, bamboo and green tea, all of which oxygenate and revitalize facial tissues. I am left deeply relaxed, smelling heavenly and feeling softer than I have in years. My Thai spa experience was complete!
For a list of other tops spas throughout Thailand, check out Smart Travel Asia's website.
If you can't make it to Thailand anytime soon, you can still revel in the Thai spa experience right here in Canada! ELLE picked out some spas closer to home offering Thai treatments:
1. Ottawa, Holtz Spa
2. British Columbia, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa
3. Toronto, Elm Spa.
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