Ganbanyoku hot stone spa
Ganbanyoku is a hot stone spa popular amongst Japanese who
learned from monkeys, but the man who introduced ganbanyoku
to Auckland in 2009 says it will also do wonders for Kiwis.
Masa Sekikawa from Bliss Stone Spa believes it was introduced
to the Japanese by people who observed Japanese macaques
sleeping on flat hot rocks after soaking in hotsprings in winter.
Ganbanyoku is believed to have a detoxification effect similar
to low-temperature saunas, and helps to improve the circulatory
system and conditions the skin.
www.blissreflexology.com
Luxury Day Spa
Polynesian Spa
Maori revere the health benefits of the natural spas in Rotorua
which emanate from one alkaline spring and one acidic.
The Polynesian Spa has expanded the services it offers over
recent years to make it a world-class health spa. Its treatments
include the Aix massage (pronounced 'aches' which features a
soak in the beautiful and progressively warmer alkaline pools, and
features water therapy massage given with warm coconut oil under
a Vichy shower.
Enjoy tranquil bathing and lake views in four shallow alkaline
rock pools, each with different temperatures (36˚C to 42˚C).
Here you are surrounded by revitalizing native New Zealand flora,
natural rocks, the sound of two waterfalls and a grotto. The pools
are filled with soothing alkaline mineral water leaving your skin
soft and supple.
www.polynesianspa.co.nz
Strangest spas
Yunessun Spa Resort: Home to Japan's famous 'wine spa'
www.yunessun.com
Hershey's Spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania: Chocolate heaven
www.chocolatespa.com
Jigokudani Hot Springs, Japan: Bathing amongst monkeys
www.japaneseguesthouses.com
Prave Pivni Lazni: Czech beer spa
www.pivnilazne.cz
Barak's Carnivorous Plant Farm: Get a massage by snakes
Open daily 8am – 11pm
1000 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua
www.polynesianspa.co.nz
