For stressed-out urbanites, there’s no way better to de-stress than at an exotic spa. And they don’t come any more exotic than in South-East Asia. What’s more, any time is good for a spa holiday in locations like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. “Indians now are even taking weekend trips for a spa holiday in South-East Asia. They’re keen to sample some of the signature massages unique to these hotels,” says Karan Anand, head, business development, Cox & Kings (India). Closer home, the Maldives too has some spectacular spa offerings. But beware — plan ahead as it gets busy during the monsoons and also from October at some of our top spa destination picks.

Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Would you like a traditional Thai massage as you gaze at picturesque paddy fields? Then the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai with its breathtaking scenery in Thailand’s beautiful Mae Rim Valley may be for you. It has 64 elegantly designed pavilions each with a private verandah overlooking terraced paddy fields and mountains and 16 magnificent residences. The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort boasts seven treatment suites. Take your pick from therapies which range from a traditional Thai massage for 90 minutes to 120 minutes for 4,300 Thai Baht (Rs 5,496) to 5,300 Thai Baht (Rs 6,775). Then, there’s the herbal oil massage for 90 minutes for 4,700 THB (Rs 6,008), stone therapy for 75 minutes which costs 5,800 THB (Rs 7,414). Also, there’s foot reflexology for 60 minutes for 3,700 THB (Rs 4,730) and Yoga treatments for 90 minutes a class for 800 THB (Rs 1,022).

Hot ticket!

The resort has a spa wellness package for three nights and four days priced at 30,500 THB (Rs 39,366) a night. That includes accommodation in a pavilion, daily breakfast, airport transfers, choice of any one 90-minute massage per person, one 60-minute reflexology treatment by the pool, one private 90-minute Yoga session, two spa cuisine lunches, one four-hour spa body ritual treatment and one organic fruit plate.

Valid till December 19, 2008. Excludes airfares.

Six Senses Spa, Soneva Gili Resort, Maldives

Sited in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, 20 minutes boat ride from capital Male, this luxury resort offers scenic water views from its rooms. The Six Senses Spa has an eclectic spa menu like the Sensory Journey treatment which starts with a luxurious footbath, a body aroma massage, a cleansing facial and a stress relieving scalp massage (90 minutes, $360), Detoxifier Journeys that include a body wrap, an Oriental massage and foot acupressure therapy. (90 minutes — $540) and Sense of Romance, targeted at honeymooners that consists of a massage with special oils (80 minutes — $450) to name a few.

Hot ticket!

If you book the Spa Suite at the Soneva Gili for two for three nights, it includes a spa treatment for two people for 50 minutes per person per day. Cost of the spa suite is $452 a night based on double occupancy. Valid till August 10, 2008.

Mandara Spa, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, Bali

If you want a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of Bali, then head straight to this resort at the southernmost tip of Bali called Nusa Dua, offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean and white sandy beaches. Try booking the traditional open-air villas (total eight villas) which have their own private gardens and Jacuzzis. Signature therapies at the Mandara Spa include a traditional Balinese massage (50 minutes, $60), aromatherapy foot bath (80 minutes, $74) or a refreshing facial (50 minutes, $60).

Hot ticket!

A two-nights and three-days Nikko Spa package includes accommodation in the Ocean View room, airport transfers, daily buffet breakfast for two and a Balinese massage for two. Excludes airfares. Priced at $350 per person on double-occupancy. Valid till March 31, 2009.

Berjaya Redang Beach Resort, Malaysia

It’s in Redang Island off the coast of Terengganu in north-east Malaysia so you can have your fill of both sea — the South China Sea — and sand. The scenery is superb because the island is covered with lush tropical rainforests. Besides you can discover the many diving spots surrounding the island. There are daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Redang and also ferry services from Shahbandar or Merang Jetty to Redang Island. The Ayura Spa at the resort has several invigorating therapies. On offer are the deep tissue massages which lasts for an hour and costs 160 RM (Rs 2,080). Then, there are body scrubs for 60 minutes for 180 RM (Rs 2,080), facials for 60 to 90 minutes 180 RM (Rs 2,340) to 240 RM (Rs 3,120) and hand and feet treatment for 60 minutes for 160 RM (Rs 2,080) each.

Hot ticket!

Ayura Spa offers Ayura Signature Package for RM 750 (Rs 9,750). This treatment lasts for four hours. It uses aromatherapy oils and herbs to massage your body.

Estheva Day Spa, Singapore

If you feel exhausted after shopping and sightseeing in Singapore, try pampering those tired feet at the Estheva Day Spa, a day spa located in the Palais Renaissance luxury mall on Singapore’s famous Orchard Road. Hot treatments include anti-ageing therapies — try the new Choc-De-Ager Massage using chocolate (2 hours and 30 minutes — $355) or the ageless peel for face (45 minutes — $253) and luxury scrubs like the seaweed scrub (1 hour 15 minutes — $126).

Hot ticket!

Pamper yourself with the new Couple Blisstox package. Priced at $420 a couple for two-hours.