you are here: 2009 spa guideSri Panwa
A jungle spa with more swing than Tarzan. Camouflaged among the banyan and banana trees, with fluorescent birds of paradise peeking through the foliage like Philip Treacy hats, this is a deeply exotic place to chill. Therapies use herbs and plants grown in the Edenic gardens and there are aloe vera and cucumber wraps for sunburn, yoghurt face masks for brightening skin and Prakob – a poultice of steamed Thai herbs that’s used to wipe out body tension. Try a Thai massage with the magic therapist with six fingers, she looks tiny but will whip you into pretzel-like contortions and leave you feeling like Goliath.
Phuket, Thailand
Double, from £680.
UK reservations Black Tomato (tel: 020 7426 9888).