Terraké, now present in more than 25 luxury spas among the best in the world, continues its international expansion. After Fouquet’s in Paris, the Kempinski Hotel in Bulgarie, Terraké has chosen an exceptional site for its exclusive partnership in Belgium: Château du Lac in Genval.

Situated in the heart of Brabant Wallon, named the “garden of Brussels”, only twenty minutes from the European capital and its rich culture, Château du Lac, the only 5-star hotel in the south of Brussels and in Wallonie, has 120 rooms between the lake and garden and a restaurant with a view of the lake offering traditional and creative cuisine.
Nearby, eleven golf clubs (fourteen 18-hole courses, all within a 15km radius) allow those who love the greens to satisfy their passion, notably thanks to the Martin’s Golf Pass (more information available at www.passbw.com).

A unique location, a real trip away!
At the beginning of June 2008, a Spa of more than 1500 m2, integrating with subtlety mineral materials, wood and lighting, will be unveiled on the roof of Château du Lac. Overhanging the Genval Lake, the Martin’Spa Bodywhealth contains a fitness centre, thermal baths with water in all its forms and 1000 m2 exclusively for beauty treatments.

A little glimpse of the uniqueness of Martin’Spa Bodywhealth:
A fabulous welcome area incorporating a “Health Bar”, two double treatments rooms fo 40m2 with Jacuzzi and ten individual treatment rooms each recreating a different atmosphere – straight away, this Spa sets itself apart as extraordinary.
Beyond the ultra-trendy relaxation swimming pool is the solarium terrace and the relaxation area, which have an absolute serenity (with heated deckchairs and an open fire), spa connoisseurs will certainly appreciate the rasul treatments in the hammam, which can accommodate two people, with thermal air equipped with a 10 person hammam, a sauna (8 people), and extraordinary marble heated ayurvedic massage table mounted on a shirodara diffuser (whereby essential oils are drizzled). The experience shower mingles hydrojets and chromotherapy and a space, for hairdressing, manicure et make-up.

For everyone, their own Terraké Micro-Climate Cocoon.
The specific nature of Terraké rituals is to invite you to be reborn with the forces of the Earth: Château du Lac offers, in this regard, an ideal environment. Extremely calm, very protected and fundamentally conceived and decorated in harmony with the Terraké “universes” – of earth, air, water and plant life. The treatments are carried out by Terraké specialists ready to work the magic of a sensorial fusion – from exfoliation to massage, as well as expert treatments (firming, hydrating, detox, slimming). Sublime!

For more information please visit : Terraké & Martin’s Hotels

1800 square meter spa at Al Osaimi’s Luxury Resort to offer exotic and lavish treatments under the theme ‘Garden in Heaven’.

Devarana Spa, the luxurious Thai-inspired spa chain and part of the internationally reputed Dusit International group, has announced the launch of a 1800 square metre spa at the Al Osaimi Group’s AED 1 billion Luxury Resort, Spa and Residence project located on the Crescent of The Palm Jumeirah. The move follows an earlier agreement signed by Dusit International and Al Osaimi Group for the management of the project and aims to offer world-class spa treatments with traditional Thai service and hospitality. Designed under the theme ‘Garden in Heaven’, Devarana Spa is set to offer guests with outstanding services through age-old therapies combined with modern knowledge, and with an emphasis on pampering and wellness using established Thai health and beauty practices.

The spa, which comprises of nine private single rooms and two double suites, is set to provide its patrons with a fusion of relaxation technologies derived from Thai and Eastern practices and the more recent Western methods. Offering a tranquil interior, which includes Devarana’s trademark contemporary Thai style such as water features, 14th century Thai arch, canopied couches and handwritten poetry on the wall, the spa has also adopted Middle Eastern influence within its overall concept to cater to a wider range of guests. Remaining faithful to the spa’s natural ambiance and its ‘Back-to-Basics’ ethos, all therapies within the centre will be complemented by 100 per cent natural products and trained massage experts.

For more information visit : Devarana SPA website

Imagine a learning adventure on your Balinese holiday where you can bring home useful lessons and experiences that expand your cultural awareness. These are some of the worthy principles based on local relationships and destination knowledge behind the Alila Experiences programme.

The Spa Kitchen at Alila Ubud is one of the highlights. Held at their open air ‘Bale’ with views of ravine and rice fields you get to work on local ingredients from scratch to produce exotic food and body products.

The food part starts with a cooking class from fit as a fiddle Chef Christian Fogliani whose enthusiasm and wit constantly enlivens the setting. The freshest market and organic farm produce are laid out for the class to grind out such delicacies as Balinese mixed summer salad and Cinnamon/Turmeric Jamu drinks. The fruit salad combines mango, jicama white turnip, papaya and pineapple in a tangy sauce mix topped with roasted peanuts – a light and perfect appetiser. The skill you quickly learn for the Jamu juice preparation is how kneading action must be precisely primed to break down the fibrous tamarind fruit and release its wholesome powers. The end results are stomach calming drinks that soothe digestion and promote general well-being. They just happen to taste great as well.

The spa part of the kitchen class continues the fresh natural theme as you discover ways to extract and apply the essences of tropical fruit. Fruit and oils are transformed into hydrating masques, facial cleansers and scented wraps. All of this new knowledge brought about a reverence and deeper understanding of common everyday produce.

Particularly amazing was the sight and feel of the clear, jewel-like gel underneath the green skin of the Aloe plant. I was not surprised to know that Aloe Vera is nature’s gift for healing cuts, burns and inflammation. When drunk it delivers a stabilising cocktail of 12 vitamins, 19 amino acids and over 20 minerals.

At its simplest level the Spa Kitchen is an excuse to relax and breathe in more of the stunning beauty of the Ubud mountains while taking in local cultural knowledge. What you will hopefully also discover is the reverence the Balinese have for food and a greater understanding of what you eat. The food actually tastes better outdoors. Or maybe it’s just the stunning Ubud mountains.

Recipe to take Home : Turmeric and Aromatic Ginger Jamu health drink
100 g Balinese turmeric
15 g Aromatic ginger
30 g Tamarind
50 g Honey
10 g Lime
200 ml Water
5 g Salt
Grate all ingredients and mesh with traditional mortar until fine. Add honey, lime and water.
Contribution by Travel Writer – Meng Wong

For more information please visit : Alila Ubud on Finest SPA