Island in the Sea

Photo: The Island Spa at Kuda Huraa was the first private island spa in the Maldives

Less than a minute from the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa resort there is a small island. Accessed by a miniature dhoni (a traditional Maldivian boat), the island in question is home to the first, but no longer only, private island spa in the Maldives.

Those with an eye for detail will likely notice the Island Spa as they approach the resort. A haven within a haven, the spa welcomes those who make the short trip across the resort’s lagoon with an unparalleled spa experience, as we found out on a recent visit.

Photo: A dhoni transports guests between the resort and the spa

After climbing aboard the dhoni, we sampled a few products from the spa’s partner brand, Sodashi. Sixty seconds and several spritzes of facial mist later we had arrived.

With a refreshing towel and some delicious iced tea, we sat and filled out the obligatory questionnaire before we were led to our over-water pavilion for two.

Photo: Over-water pavilions at the spa feature large open windows facing the sea

Each of the seven treatment pavilions have large open windows and face out to sea. There

are glass panels embedded in the floor underneath the head of the massage tables that offer a view of the sea, and if you are lucky tropical fish. The requisite soothing spa music is replaced by a symphony of crashing waves, and air conditioning makes way for a cool ocean breeze.

Each pavilion has an adjoined changing area with wardrobes, a vanity, bathing area and a private garden courtyard with an open-air shower. We opted for the Kuda Huraa massage which is a blend of Asian techniques designed to soothe aching muscles.

A brief and relaxing foot wash started the treatment before we were lead to the massage tables where we picked our scent. Out of the four available, we went with coconut oil (what better scent evokes the feeling of paradise?)

Photo: Treatments range from body wraps and scrubs to seven-day spa programs

The Kuda Huraa massage is a blend of Thai pressure point technique and Filipino and Malaysian methods. It is designed to soothe aches and pains and was particularly welcome after our morning surf lesson. Firm yet gentle, kneading on the back and shoulders soothed our surf-weary muscles while long strokes up the arms, legs, hands and feet worked us into a state of drowsiness, aided by the waves as they lapped against the shore.

Relaxation is obviously the main draw of the spa, but the underwater theater was a delightful and unexpected addition. In fact it seemed to make the first part of the massage go by a bit too quickly. We turned over and the treatment continued, finishing with a quick but incredibly relaxing scalp massage.

Photo: The night spa offers couples four lunar-based treatments to choose from

Those with a lunar affinity may be interested in the resort’s award-winning night spa. Offered from 10pm to 1am, guests first enjoy a welcome drink in the now candlelit lobby before being whisked away to an open-air pavilion on the spa’s private star-lit beach. Guests have a choice of one of four treatments with each one coinciding with a phase of the moon. Each evening is limited to one couple, so booking ahead is imperative.

Photo: The Kuta Spa gives children and teens an opportunity to relax with fun, interactive spa sessions

The Island Spa menu includes spa rituals, face treatments, massages, body scrubs and wraps, salon treatments, and even a few kids treatments at the Kuta Spa.

If you can’t manage to drag yourself away from the luxurious confines of your room (we don’t blame you) there are more than a dozen bath rituals available.

The full menu can be viewed here.

Open from 9am to 10pm

www.fourseasons.com

#glamour #beauty