Heavenly Havens
Pamper yourself without feeling guilty at these decadent-and earth-friendly-spas at resorts in the exotic South Seas.
Intercontinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora
Surrounded by an iridescent lagoon and coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, the Tahitian island of Bora Bora invites guests to indulge in a whole lot of nothing, in between partaking of some of the world’s best snorkeling. The extra distance (150 miles northwest of the main island of Tahiti) makes this small island paradise feel ultraremote, but you’ll still find dozens of the world’s most posh resorts.
In an area where luxurious overwater bungalows are de rigueur, the new Intercontinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora has been enjoying accolades for incorporating the element of water in innovative ways. It is the first South Pacific resort to harness the ocean’s natural resources, and the Thalasso Therapy Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm utilizes deep-sea water and minerals (extracted from the Pacific at a depth of nearly 3,000 feet) in all its signature treatments. Relax during Algospa Weightless Marine Therapy, where you float weightlessly as your skin is nourished with marine minerals. Another all-natural option is a Polynesian massage, which features Hei Poa monoï oil, scented with blossoms of frangipani, tiare or vanilla. Request one of the spa’s glass-floored overwater spa suites, and you’ll be treated to a parade of fish zipping around swaying seaweed and coral as you indulge in a treatment. You’ll also want to try the spa’s two pools: The Deep Swim Spa, an outdoor pool filled with water sourced from the deep sea, complete with a current, and the Deep Chiller Walk, a path of pressurized cold, salty ocean water that is sure to get your tired jet-lagged legs moving again. The resort recently received a Save the Planet Award for its innovative eco-friendly air-conditioning system, which deploys a 7,874-foot pipe into the ocean to harness ice-cold deep-sea water that powers the air conditioning throughout the hotel. The property has claim to another first: It is the first resort in French Polynesia to feature an overwater wedding chapel with a glass-bottom floor (boraboraspa.interconti.com).
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
From the moment you are greeted at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort—and your feet are dipped in a soothing coconut-milk soak—you’ll know you’ve hit the eco-spa jackpot. Located on the island of Vanua Levu, on a former 17-acre coconut plantation overlooking Savusavu Bay, the resort is a collection of 25 Fijian-style thatched-roof bures scattered among palm trees.
At the center of it all sits the brand-new Ocean Spa, an open-air thatched bure made of all-natural indigenous materials. Light filters through bamboo reeds, while cloth screens and sheer curtains with shell tiebacks (from a local pearl farm) create a soft, natural glow; polished Vesi timber lines the floors. Unwind to the sound of lulling waves during an outdoor treatment, which takes place on the bure’s extended deck over the beach. As you might expect, the spa’s treatments feature all-natural ingredients: coconut oil and milk, cane sugar, nut oil and rich clay, as well as hibiscus flowers and herbs straight from the resort’s own organic garden. Also new to the spa menu are two packages: the Tropical Treat, which features a Fiji Botanical Fusion Foot Therapy, a coconut sugar body exfoliation and a delicious 15-minute hair and scalp therapy; and the Pacific Paradise, a coconut or pineapple sugar exfoliation, followed by a body wrap or aromatherapy massage. Each is available either at the Ocean Spa Bure or in the guest rooms.
When you’re not at the spa, you can partake in countless complimentary resort activities. Hit one of two freshwater swimming pools or snorkel and kayak around the bay. Seek some inner peace with a yoga session on the beach, and then take a glass-bottom boat tour or catamaran sail to area beaches. Opt for a Fijian ecological tour, and you’ll wander through a local village while learning about native medicinal, ceremonial and musical traditions. At night, sign up for a guided stargazing walk (fijiresort.com).





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