Colonial Chic - Swishful Thinking

Like a living museum, Asia’s grand colonial hotels are the lavish legacy of the region’s colonial past, and provide a glamorous window into a time when the expanding empires of France and Britain in particular cut mighty swaths across the globe.

Wealthy traders and entrepreneurs like the famous Sarkies brothers, flocked to exotic new outposts in the Far East and were quick to leave their imprint on the occupied territory, importing familiar customs and, above all, familiar architecture to the native landscape.

Mostly built early last century, these plush properties like The Oriental in Thailand, Hanoi’s Sofitel Metropole, Vientiane’s Settha Palace and The Strand in Yangon, provided a decadent refuge for the rich and privileged in a very foreign land. Lofty ballrooms, exquisite dining halls, sweeping stair-cases and luxurious suites all supplied the lush backdrop to an endless round of parties and intrigues.

But more than simply a grandiose tribute to imperial decadence, these institutions set high standards in luxury and architecture that their current owners take pains to preserve. Though most are now in the hands of luxury hotel chains, such as Sofitel, Raffles and GHM, which have the funds necessary to maintain them, many of their historical traditions, such as high tea, Tiffin and classical French cuisine, happily live on.

From the rattan furniture and potted plants, to the marble floors and brass fittings, these great colonial hotels still evoke the wonderful opulence of their golden days in the 1920s and '30s. They all offer welcome despite from sterile, modern and often charmless hotels and give us the chance to experience the un-adulterated glamour of a bygone era.

The Asian Spa : Well ahead on Wellness

The concept of traveling for wellness and spa treatments is certainly not a new one; Ancient Greeks traveled to Epidauria, Roman patients traveled to Bath, and from the 18th century, wealthy Europeans traveled far to visit spas from Germany to Egypt. Today, however, relatively low-cost jet travel and favorable currency exchange rates have taken the industry beyond the wealthy elite and spa and wellness tourism, especially in Asia, is booming.

President of the Spa and Wellness Association, Dr Theresa Chew, believes it is Asia’s unique heritage and culture that have enabled the market to flourish. Indigenous Asian therapies such as Indonesian Jamu, Chinese Tui Na, Thai massage and Indian Ayuverda, coupled with a traditional emphasis on preventative medicine and a service-minded culture, all make Asia the undisputed hub of the international spa and wellness industry.

As consumers worldwide are becoming more health conscious, the demand for healthful holiday options is growing. Increasingly travelers are including a detoxifying stay at a destination spa or health retreat in their Asian itineraries, and with the region boasting some of the finest destination spas in the world, it’s little wonder that they do!

The Shinta Mani is a beautiful boutique property located in the center of Siem Reap, and is a member of the socially-minded Sanctuary Resorts group. The hotel’s award-winning ‘Sanctuary Spa’ features luxurious single and couple treatment rooms and offers a range of treatments to relax and rejuvenate.

With official spa figures currently over 800, Thailand is the current market leader for spa and wellness, and so unsurprisingly the Kingdom has a range of excellent health-minded resorts. Ko Samui’s Kamalaya is a complete wellness sanctuary which provides cleansing detox programs, yoga synergy retreats, holistic spa treatments and customized wellness packages in a in a natural beach-side setting.

The regal Thai beach town of Hua Hin is a veritable hub of wellness, boasting several luxury destination spas. The AKA Hotel Resort & Spa offers luxury villas inspired by Thailand’s meditative traditions, and even features a scenic jogging trail around the resort grounds in addition to its excellent spa facilities.

Also in Hua Hin is the exclusive health retreat of Chiva-Som. Nestled within seven acres of lush tropical gardens, the famous resort offers extensive fitness, spa and holistic health facilities and features over 120 holistic and medical treatments.

Six Senses Resorts and Spas group also have a destination spa in Hua Hin, as well as several other award-winning spa properties around Thailand and Vietnam. Each of their resort spas offer an impressive selection of holistic and signature treatments, while their fitness centers and Tai Chi and Yoga pavilions help guests play their way into good health.