Spa

  1. Massage thumb

    Spa etiquette: should I get my kit off?

    As someone who has been flummoxed by spa treatment etiquette over the years, I thought I should write a quick ‘how to’ for those of you who are nervous about what should be an amazingly relaxing experience. Or excruciatingly painful, depending on what sort of treatment you’ve booked.

  2. MeganBreakfast2May

    Wacky Spa treatments around the world

    So this morning I was up early (how does Petra do it?) and headed into TVNZ to talk weird and wacky spa treatments. Originally meant to cover 3 types, I managed to only cover the fish-foot eating pedicures in my 2 minutes 19 seconds. Clearly I need to go back! Click here to see the [...]

  3. Chuan Spa Auckland – bliss!

    Chuan Spa Auckland – bliss!

    Do you remember the olden days when a hotel or motel would advertise it had a spa and you’d get there find they meant a spa pool! And how we were thrilled with the idea that you got the key from reception, let yourself into a fenced-off area and wallowed in bubbling water with strangers. [...]

  4. Painful_face

    Worst ever massage from belching masseuse

    I truly thought I might perish at the hands of my brutal Taiwanese masseuse! I was in Taiwan on a decadent Spa Press Trip. But this treatment took the cake… I’ve never had an all over body massage (and I mean all over). And certainly not an all over body massage by a Taiwanese woman [...]

  5. New Zealand’s best spas

    New Zealand’s best spas

    I had the arduous task of attending the launch of the “Best Spas of New Zealand” last week. The posh do was held in the Langham Auckland’s Chuan Spa with wine, nibbles and fanciness. They stopped short of giving everyone a free two-hour treatment, but I did get a hand massage because I was schmoozing [...]

  6. Sawdust spa in Taiwan

    Sawdust spa in Taiwan

    Taiwan has over 100 hot springs and is promoting itself as a bit of a spa spot, which you may know if you read my previous story about the worst massage I’ve ever had in my life! But they’re not all terrible. They run from soaking in hot pools to painful foot massages at night [...]

  7. Day spas in Santa Monica

    Day spas in Santa Monica

    If you live in Santa Monica or are just passing through this seaside Los Angeles town, a decadent spa treatment is exactly what you need. Yes? Well you’re in luck – here is a list of where to get pampered like the princess (or prince) you know you are. Some are fancy hotel spas that [...]

  8. Sentosa Resort comes to the rescue

    Sentosa Resort comes to the rescue

    Oh how we love social media! Look what a tweet did: So there I am in Singapore on my way to London staying in a very basic hotel near pretty much not much at all. The reservation girl was going to give me a single bed but in the end found a room with 2 [...]

  9. Aussie! Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat

    Aussie! Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat

    Gaia Retreat and Spa is Olivia Newton-John’s place. 20 chalet style rooms from standard to executive suites and a major focus on wellness. And for the record, I have it on very good authority that all these rumours about her ex showing up? Rubbish. I flew into Ballina from Sydney, picked up a car at [...]

  10. Aussie! Bliss out in Byron Bay

    Aussie! Bliss out in Byron Bay

    I’d heard so much about Byron Bay – usually with much sighing, eyes glazing over and wistfulness – so when I was given the rough assignment of heading up there to write about its spas for Tourism Australia’s Explore supplement I rolled my sleeves up and took one for the team… It was actually part [...]