Muddy Stilettos

If Christmas wasn’t the calming, relaxing holiday you were hoping for (is it ever?), and you’re not on tip top form entering 2024, Muddy prescribes an indulgent spa break to get you back on track.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-higashiyama-niseko-village-japan">1. <a href="https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/ritz-carlton-reserve/">Higashiyama Niseko Village</a>, Japan</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="629" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-10.34.10.png" alt="Higashiyama Niseko Villa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve inJapan" class="wp-image-84711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-10.34.10.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-10.34.10-600x377.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-10.34.10-835x525.png 835w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: Heard of kachou fuugetsu? It&#8217;s the Japanese philosophy of discovering oneself through nature and this spa resort in Japan’s premier ski spot, Niseko Village, does it brilliantly. 



Top treatment: It&#8217;s all about the traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring bath) filled with mineral-rich waters from Niseko’s underground thermal springs. Rituals like Nature’s Wisdom include a massage using local black silica to relive stiffness and pain, followed by a warm spring water facial to nourish the skin. Could it get any better? Yes actually, because post-spa you can tuck into fresh sushi served in a restaurant with snow-capped mountain views.&nbsp;Sigh. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-soneva-jani-resort-maldives-nbsp">2. <a href="https://soneva.com/experience/soneva-soul-spa-soneva-jani/">Soneva Jani Resort</a>, Maldives&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/24747_Soneva-Soul-at-Soneva-Jani-1600x900-1.jpg" alt="Soneva Soul at Soneva Jane resort in the Maldives " class="wp-image-84712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/24747_Soneva-Soul-at-Soneva-Jani-1600x900-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/24747_Soneva-Soul-at-Soneva-Jani-1600x900-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/24747_Soneva-Soul-at-Soneva-Jani-1600x900-1-900x507.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: We&#8217;d like to &#8216;recharge&#8217; for a month at Soneva Soul, the resort&#8217;s jaw-dropping new spa set on a private island reached via treetop walkways. Actually &#8216;spa&#8217; doesn&#8217;t do this place justice, it&#8217;s more of a wellbeing retreat and deserves an award just for its design, which includes open-air treatment rooms and a yoga pavilion with 360˚ lagoon views. 



Top treatment: If you’ve got something to mend (knee-injury, broken heart, sleep-deprived mind), this is the place to come. Experts tailor incredible self-care programmes just for you, mixing ancient wellness (Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and even medicinal mushrooms) with cutting-edge modern treatments like cryotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy and heart-rate variability testing. And if you simply want to get fitter, the Soneva Soul movement programme gets you moving in fun innovative ways. Jungle gym, anyone?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-raffles-the-palm-dubai-dubai-nbsp">3. <a href="https://www.rafflesthepalmdubai.com">Raffles The Palm Dubai</a>, Dubai &nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="515" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pano_zoom-1.php_.jpeg" alt="Cinq Monde spa at Raffles spa resort in Dubai " class="wp-image-84713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pano_zoom-1.php_.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pano_zoom-1.php_-600x309.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pano_zoom-1.php_-900x464.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: Bring on the bling. The resort&#8217;s Cinq Mondes Spa &amp; Wellness Centre is off-the-scale when it comes to palatial pampering; think 23 treatments rooms, two private suites, a yoga studio, gym, two hammams, Japanese baths and the largest pool in the Middle East to dive into. Overlooking The Palm’s softest white sand beach, rooms, as you’d expect, are equally as opulent, with butler service, chandeliers and handcrafted furnishings. 



Top treatment: The spa menu&#8217;s loaded with enticing treatments, including a Tahitian monoi scrub using tiaré flowers, sugar and coconut, or how about a wrinkle-reducing Ko Bi Do lifting and plumping facial which leaves skin toned and plumped? Either&#8217;s fine with us. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-rakxa-thailand">4. <a href="https://rakxawellness.com/landing.html">RAKxa</a>, Thailand</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rakxa-destress.jpg" alt="Rakxa resort in Thailand " class="wp-image-84715" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rakxa-destress.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rakxa-destress-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rakxa-destress-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: A river hop from Bangkok, this island retreat is THE place to book if you’re looking for a full body MOT rather than a mere massage. It cleverly mixes holistic therapies with advanced diagnostics (hormone screening, breathing analysis, blood tests, gene testing), to treat everything from bad gut health and weight gain to Long Covid and stress. Even without a tailor-made programme, you&#8217;re guaranteed to leave feeling healthier thanks to the anti-inflammatory food, cleansing tea lounge, gym, hydrothermal spa and relaxing villas spread around a lake surrounded by lush jungle.&nbsp;



Top treatment: The Immune Booster programme involves medical treatments like IV ozone therapy and immune infusion with laser therapy paired with traditional Ayurvedic massages, tai chi and meditation. We feel better just reading this. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-lodore-falls-lake-district-uk">5. <a href="https://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/">Lodore Falls</a>, Lake District, UK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LDH_SPA_DRONE_100722-0838.jpg" alt="Lodore Falls, Lake District " class="wp-image-84716" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LDH_SPA_DRONE_100722-0838.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LDH_SPA_DRONE_100722-0838-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LDH_SPA_DRONE_100722-0838-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: Pack your bags and head north pronto, because this Lake District lair has had a £10 million refurb and now boasts one of the most splendid spas in the country, complete with five saunas, one of the UK’s biggest infinity pools and more ishga and Elemis products than you can shake a flannel at. It’s really rather special. The breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from the Finnish sauna are hard to beat (don’t forget to cool down with an ice bucket drench post-sweat) and the sheer range of facilities is knock-out with enough fountains, showers and jacuzzis to keep you entertained all weekend (and enormously relaxed). 



Top treatment: Book in for a blissfully relaxing Falls signature massage, which leaves you soaked in shea butter and feeling like you’re floating on cloud nine. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-the-forsthofgut-austria">6. <a href="https://www.forsthofgut.at/en/">The Forsthofgut</a>, Austria</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="705" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-11.53.37.png" alt="Sauana at The Forsthofgut in Austria " class="wp-image-84717" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-11.53.37.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-11.53.37-600x423.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-11.53.37-745x525.png 745w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: You’ll have The Sound Of Music on a loop in your head as you drink in the views of snow-capped mountains on the approach to the Forsthofgut Naturhotel, an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Set at the foot of the Leogang mountains, the five-star resort has direct access to the surrounding meadows and slopes – perfect for hiking in summer, and skiing in winter. Its modern spa is four storeys of wood and glass, housing a luxe gym, light-drenched fitness studio, indoor/outdoor pool, steam rooms, saunas and infrared cabins, a rooftop whirlpool and relaxation rooms filled with greenery and birdsong.&nbsp;



Top treatment: Make like the locals and brave the 90°C Finnish sauna – super-intense, yet invigorating &#8211; followed by a cold shower and dip in the whirlpool tub while soaking up the mountain views. A honey peeling exfoliating scrub in a steam room and (gentler) 60°C sauna, where you slather yourself in olive cream while basking in the heat, leaves skin baby-soft.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-galgorm-northern-ireland">7. <a href="https://www.galgorm.com/index.html">Galgorm</a>, Northern Ireland</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="598" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.13.49.png" alt="Galgorm Spa in Ireland " class="wp-image-84718" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.13.49.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.13.49-600x359.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.13.49-878x525.png 878w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: The Thermal Village is the star attraction at Galgorm, a sprawling resort beside the mighty River Maine a short 30-minute drive from Belfast International Airport. It&#8217;s so big and amazing, Muddy would like to move there and rotate forever between the snow cabin, Celtic sauna, hot tubs (dotted along the water’s edge), pool and Alpine Garden with a vitality pool and relaxation cabanas. 



Top treatment: Gotta try the OTO Quartz, a CBD Signature Treatment including a body massage and facial delivered on a bed of tiny quartz stones. Things kick off with a warming foot soak followed by an exfoliating skin scrub and massage with bamboo rollers. A mini bamboo roller is back out for the facial, but with a lighter touch, and the head and scalp massage that follows is the perfect tension-releasing end. Amazing. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-la-residencia-a-belmond-hotel-mallorca-nbsp">8. <a href="https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/mallorca/deia/belmond-la-residencia/">La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel</a>, Mallorca&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="865" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.37.16.png" alt="Spa pool at La REsidencia, A Belmond Hotel in Mallorca " class="wp-image-84719" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.37.16.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.37.16-600x519.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-at-12.37.16-607x525.png 607w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What: Wellbeing Queen Gwyneth Paltrow knows all about this hidden gem in the picturesque village of Deià, and now you do too. The spa’s pretty special, though less glitzy than you’d imagine; think wood beams, stone walls and rustic colours rather than a white lab. There’s a steam room, fitness centre and sauna, but it’s the treatments which are next level.



Top treatments: Signature Citrus Siesta starts with a gentle olive oil scrub exfoliation followed by a zen massage with a blend of almond, orange and lemon locally-sourced essential oils where your therapist works on pressure points to release endorphins, relax the joints and help induce sleep. Need a pick me up? Book an early morning Olive Activator, a reverse treatment which starts with vigorous (ok, slightly painful) body brushing to speed up the lymphatic system and get rid of toxins, followed by a revitalising massage with olive oil harvested on La Residencia’s estate.&nbsp;

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