Spa Maison at Cap Maison, St Lucia Cap Maison (www.capmaison.com) is St Lucia’s newest boutique hotel, which was designed and constructed to take advantage of its sunny cliffside location. The hotel incorporates 50 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites, some with private pools. Cliff at Cap, the fi ne-dining restaurant where executive chef Jones reigns, is ideal for the spa-savvy diner because his menu features fresh organic produce, and local fish and seafood. The resort is politically correct, too. It uses solar energy and recycled water for landscaping, and consumes as many local products as possible. Spa Maison incorporates three treatment rooms and a meditation garden. The spa specializes in Sothys products made by the 60-year-old French cosmetics company whose training of aestheticians is famed.


Services are offered in a small white-and-pastel sanctuary in the resort’s main house or in beach cabanas, bedrooms and spacious Villa Suites – which include kitchens, outdoor terraces with showers and private pools. The stunning resort lies beyond the rainforest and western coastline of St Lucia, at the island’s northernmost tip. It sits on a cliff overlooking the sea; it has its own private beach and is situated close to golf, shopping and the nightlife at Rodney Bay. The all-inclusive rate includes all meals at the popular Cliff at Cap, wines and champagne with meals, daily afternoon tea, a spa treatment at Spa Maison and full use of the resort facilities.

Cygalle Healing Spa at Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Casa de Campo (www.casadecampo.com.do) has long been known as the resort of the Dominican Republic and one of the premier golfing destinations of the Caribbean. Its new Cygalle Healing Spa is a minimalist complex where reception is in the white stucco main house. Here, guests are greeted on natural planked flooring in a space where white walls contrast with the warm texture of stacked stone under cathedral ceilings. The décor is sleek and modern, its cool white softened by the addition of mossy green velvet upholstered chairs. After check-in, the therapist leads each client outside, past a labyrinth constructed of stone and grass to one of seven pavilions.