Five of the Best Luxury Spa Hotels

For those who want a truly relaxing luxury holiday abroad, a stay at a spa hotel can be the perfect choice. Every good spa hotel prides itself on the quality of its facilities and service, but there are some places that are truly a cut above the rest.

I've put together a list of some of the finest luxury spa hotels in the world. Some of them are remarkable because of their outstanding facilities or a special location, while others offer some of the most advanced and inventive health and beauty treatments available. Whatever their strong suit is, each one of these luxury spa hotels guarantees the ultimate in comfort and relaxation...

Evian Royal Resort, France

Located in the shadow of the French Alps on the shores of Lake Geneva, this luxury spa hotel is built on a grand scale; it won't suit those who are looking for a small, secluded getaway, but if you are looking to enjoy the superb facilities of a larger hotel, the Evian Royal Resort will be just right. It features a golf course, casino, and a number of sports facilities, but it is the spa that is the star attraction. Its Eastern inspired course of treatments emphasises synergetic cuisine, with a personalised diet working with the treatments you undertake. The spa also offers a unique range of programmes for pregnant women and new mothers.

Sultana Oualidia, Morocco

The location of the Sultana Oualidia is simply unbeatable. Positioned on the Atlantic coast just south of Casablanca, this boutique hotel looks out over a turquoise blue lagoon and is surrounded by a dramatic series of cliffs. It has only eleven rooms and suites, giving it a small and personalised feel, and the beautiful design emphasises materials (oleander, stone and marble) that perfectly complement the natural surroundings. At the centre of the hotel is a luxury spa, with a hammam, sauna and a marble indoor swimming pool. The Sultana Oualidia offers a superb combination of great location, design and facilities.

Le Mas Candille, France

This luxury spa hotel, located just fifteen minutes away from Cannes, is home to the very Shisedo spa to be opened in Europe. Shisedo, a famous Japanese cosmetics company, specialises in advanced products for the body and hair, so this is the place to come to for the very best hair and skin treatments in the world. The rest of the hotel doesn't disappoint either, with elegant design, outstanding service, and a peaceful location in the quiet village of Mougins.

Capri Palace, Capri

The Capri Palace is perhaps the most famous luxury spa hotel in the world, with celebrities flocking to this hotel every year for their own personalised treatments. Located in a striking cliff top location high above the ocean in Capri, this spa hotel centres around the Capri Beauty Farm overseen by Professor Francesco Canonaco, a renowned expert in advanced health treatments. There are over 60 available, including advanced treatments such as coffee peels and medicated mud applications. If you want to experience the very latest developments in health and beauty, a stay at this luxury spa hotel is just what the "Professor" ordered!

Chateau de Mirambeau, France

Out of all the spa hotels on this list, the Chateau de Mirambeau offers perhaps the most luxurious design and décor - it is a spectacular French Chateau situated at the centre of its own eight hectare park near Bordeaux. This luxury spa hotel has an exquisitely restored interior with carefully chosen antiques and the finest materials, and the Well Being Centre attached to the Chateau de Mirambeau is superbly equipped and offers massage facilities, a sauna, Jacuzzi, hammam and swimming pool. This spa hotel is a feast for the eyes and a treat for the body.