Macau, China

Macau, in Southern China’s Pearl River Delta, is the perfect destination to spend a day shopping, sight-seeing and an evening at the casino, but it is also an excellent place to relax and rejuvenate. But the place to unwind from the buzzing energy of the city has to be the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, just a 40 minute ferry hop or 12 minute helicopter ride from Hong Kong. A haven of tranquillity where you can escape into an oasis of calm and peace, The Spa offers tailor-made treatments to naturally balance and heal in peaceful surroundings where the Feng Shui is in harmony.

The Spa uses Comfort Zone products and also creates its own body scrubs and massage oils with natural products. In addition to yoga classes, acupressure, Reiki, massages and reflexology guests have full access to an outdoor garden pool and Jacuzzi, with a sauna, stream room, whirlpool and relaxation lounge.

A traditional Thai massage is £55 (1hr 40 mins), facials start at £42 (1 hr 20 mins), a manicure is £26 (60 mins), pedicure is £31 (75 mins) and the signature Oriental Harmony massage performed by two therapists simultaneously and includes a body scrub is priced at £110 (1hr 50 mins). www.mandarinoriental.com/macau

Budapest

The award-winning Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest is truly a jewel in the crown in the heart of the city. Having been painstakingly restored to its former architectural glory in 2003, the palatial hotel is now feted as the finest in the city.

It is also home to the opulent Royal Spa, which first opened in 1886. Like the hotel it has been restored to its original splendour and offers the latest state of the art spa facilities and treatments. Facilities include a 15 metre swimming pool, several relaxation areas, saunas, steam bath, jacuzzis, a fitness room, tropical rain showers, Niagara bathtubs, mud baths, seaweed baths, as well as a variety of therapeutic and massage treatments.

The Royal Spa is complemented with products from Algotherm, the renowned French spa specialists. An Algotherm Balancing Facial is £54 (70mins), a volcanic hot stone massage is £43 (60 minutes), a standard manicure is £10 (30 mins) and a standard pedicure is £13 (45 mins). www.corinthiahotels.com

Tripoli, Libya

Relax in the luxury five-star Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, a sanctuary away from all that Tripoli throws at you after a long day exploring. This zen-like retreat allows you to rebalance in comfort. The lavishly furnished Athenaeum Spa centre comprises heated indoor and outdoor pools, a Turkish steam bath, saunas and a Jacuzzi in addition to the La Prairie beauty spa treatments and a number of invigorating massages. Originating thousands of years ago, spas were used by ancient civilisations for healing therapies and as part of their social structure. The Roman Hadrian Baths at nearby Leptis Magna are evidence of this. The Athenaeum Spa combines the ancient theories of natural treatments with a modern twist, whilst the hotel gives you pure luxury and five-star facilities. What’s more, with an enviable record for sunshine, Libya is a good destination for SAD sufferers, too.

A La Prairie firming treatment facial comprising caviar pearls, a face and eye massage and a caviar mask is priced at £92 (90 mins), a full body tonic massage is £33 (75 mins), a deluxe manicure is £12 (60mins), a deluxe pedicure is £13 (60 mins) and the full body Corinthia massage, £27 (60 mins) promises to take the recipient on an “awareness journey” thanks to the warm massage oils which are prescribed to exactly match the client’s needs. www.booktripoli.com

Malta

Opposite the exquisite port of Valletta, Malta’s capital, lies the spectacular four star Fortina Resort and Spa. The all-inclusive resort offers over 200 spa treatments and therapies, one of the largest selections of any spa in Europe.

Treatments inspired from around the world include thalassotherapy, Thai and Chinese massage, Cleopatra milk baths, Turkish mud baths, light therapy, colonic irrigation, wraps, scrubs and a wealth of other beauty therapies. Those feeling active can head to the Fortina fitness centre which offers gym equipment, aerobics classes and an indoor heated pool and spa tub. Cosmetic surgery packages are also available, which can include an overnight stay at the St James Hospital and recuperation and relaxation time at the Fortina.

For those who want to bask in a spa environment around the clock, the Fortina offers a number of Therapeutic Spa Rooms – unique bedrooms which have their own private spa facilities and equipment including massage showers, detoxifying machines and therapeutic spa tubs.

A Yonka Oxygenating Facial is £46 (60mins), a Balinese massage (90mins) is £60, a Cleopatra bath with horses milk is £25 (15 mins), spa manicure is £16 (30mins) and pedicure is £19 (45 mins). www.fortinaspa.com

Gozo

More than just an exclusive hideaway on a Mediterranean Island, the Kempinski Hotel, situated in San Lawrenz in Gozo, is a resort complex that offers 5-star luxury in traditional limestone surroundings. Steeped in history and a stunning landscape, Gozo gives rise to lengthy days sightseeing, trekking and enjoying the scenery. And the elegantly rustic atmosphere of the Kempinski hotel, with its natural stone floors and local wood décor from golden yellows to clay reds and sienna browns, make the ideal surroundings to relax the mind and body.

The Kempinski Spa and fitness centre allows guests to indulge in a variety of body and soul treatments including Ayurveda, Marine and herbal care, traditional massages and water massages in the hydrojet tub, Balneo baths and Vichy water showers, in addition to the outdoor and indoor pools, Jacuzzi and steam baths. The Spa hosts an Ayurvedic centre, headed by efficient doctors, with professionally trained and experienced staff. Ayurveda defines health as "Purity" of body, mind and soul and is the most natural way to refresh and eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body, regaining resistance and good health. The Ayurvedic treatments include oil therapy, rejuvenation therapy, body slimming, aphrodisiac therapy, skin care and also a treatment for mental well being.

A Hydra Mask Moisture Source facial is £55 (60 mins), a stone therapy massage is £63 (90 mins), a pedicure is £24 (60 mins), a manicure is £24 (60 mins). The marine signature treatment “Indoceane” is a four journey treatment comprising a Mediterranean sweet and savoury rub, an Egyptian precious milk bath, an Indian Ayurvedic massage and a Chinese finishing cream and is priced at £126 (150 mins). www.kempinski-gozo.com

Grenada

Overlooking the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea, where you can stroll along the golden sands of the world-famous Grand Anse Beach is the family-run luxury award-winning boutique Spice Island Beach Resort. The Island of Grenada, with its lush landscapes, exotic cuisine, fantastic diving and sailing opportunities in abundance, gives visitors the option of a relaxing or more activity-led holiday. But to purely unwind, the resort’s Janissa Spa offers the very best of the Isle of Spice, harnessing the restorative powers of local herbs and spices and using them to rejuvenate and refresh the body and mind. The chic and elegant spa is an oasis of serenity hidden amongst tropical gardens - guests can be treated to body wraps, polishes, facials and massages or beauty treatments such as waxing, pedicures and manicures using Dermalogica products. The Cedar sauna, outdoor relaxation lounge and Jacuzzi, and trendy reflection pool add to the fantastically therapeutic spa treatments. A Swedish massage is £48 (50 mins), Janissa’s signature massage £58 (50 minutes), Janissa’s facial is £43 (50mins) manicure £23 (45 mins), pedicure £30 (60 minutes). www.spiceislandbeachresort.com

Muscat, Oman

With its contrasting and diverse landscape including majestic fjords, sandy beaches, desert expanses and rugged mountains, The Sultanate of Oman is an exciting and breathtaking country with a heritage that dates back thousands of years. Exclusively located on the bay at Barr Al Jissah, Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, nestles against the dramatic backdrop of the rugged interior mountains and the spectacular waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Set in 124 acres of distinct scenery, this five/six star resort complex with a total of 680 luxurious bedrooms, has three private beaches, two bars and a nightclub in addition to 13 dining outlets and the world-class CHI, The Spa.

In traditional Chinese philosophy, "chi" is the universal life force that governs wellbeing and personal vitality and Shangri-La has conceptualised this within its spas. For people to maintain good health, it is believed that chi must flow freely within the body, and when blocked, illness follows. Movement is therefore a key element in releasing these natural blockages. Exercise, stretching, massage, hydrotherapy and movement of the mind through relaxation and meditation combine to assist the body's natural renewal.

An Aroma Vitality Massage (a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu and reflexology techniques, 1hr 30 mins) is £39, a CHI facial is £46 (60 mins), manicures start from £15 (40 mins) and pedicures from £20 (40 mins). The signature treatment, CHI Balance, is a blend of Asian techniques personalised to suit the guest’s current yin yang status. Techniques include acupressure, energising massage for yang stimulation and relaxing massage for yin calm - £31 (1hr). www.shangri-la.com