The land of sun, smiles and spas, Thailand is the perfect place for a luxurious spa break. Visit city spas in Bangkok's five-star hotels or wellness retreats on Thailand's paradise islands; either way, you're in for a VIP experience you'll never forget.

Chiva-Som, Hua Hin

Chiva-Som is located in the ancient city of Hua Hin, a favoured seaside retreat of kings and queens for centuries. Voted “The World's Best Destination Spa” by Condé Nast Traveller three times (from 2014-16,) this wellness retreat favours a holistic approach to physical and mental relaxation. Every attendee has a personal Health and Wellness Advisor to help them on their journey, and treatments and guidance offered range from physiotherapy to nutrition. The spa offers treatments designed to transform you, including Detoxifying Balneotherapy (where massage is applied using underwater jets and specially blended essential oils) and the Siam Ritual Cocoon (after the application of a sea salt scrub and herbal oils, your body is wrapped with aloe vera and nourishing body butter.)

The Oriental Spa at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (photo)

Looking over the Chao Phraya river, the Oriental Spa is considered one of the best in the world and offers cutting edge therapies in a restored teakwood house. A short boat ride across the river from the 140 year old

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

, guests are welcomed with herbal tea while an individual therapist creates a unique treatment plan. The standout treatment is the Lanna Ceremony, inspired by Chiang Mai's wellness rituals. Ingredients are sourced from Northern Thailand, including miang, a healing herb which is infused into a foot bath and fang, which is used in a refreshing body wrap. Then, enjoy a Lanna massage, which relaxes the muscles with fragrant bark from the tamarind tree.

Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary, Phuket

Banyan Tree Phuket is uniquely located on a plot of land that was declared to be beyond repair in 1977. Today, the land has been restored into a tropical paradise, with a beautiful garden which is host to diverse wildlife. Accommodation is in villas, and each guest is provided with unlimited in-room massages. For VIP treatment, stay in the Spa Sanctuary Pool Villa, with its private steam room and outdoor sunken bath. The treatments here are based on ancient Thai rituals, with standouts including Tropical Rainmist (where you are treated to a steam bath, rain shower and honey milk nourisher) and Royal Banyan (with a jade face massage and coriander cucumber cleanser.) Enjoy the view of their lush gardens and let yourself rejuvenate.

SoSPA at SO Sofitel Bangkok

Towering above peaceful Lumpini Park, SO Sofitel is an oasis in vibrant and busy Bangkok. SoSPA spreads over the eleventh floor and is designed to evoke the mythical Himmapan forest from Thai folklore. Around you, floor to ceiling windows reveal the Bangkok city skyline and the greenery far below. Enjoy ancient Thai techniques carried out with contemporary French skincare brands like Cinq Mondes and Ytsara. To start your path to bliss, try their Hom Mali Jasmine Body Scrub, enriched with jasmine rice and jojoba oil, or their signature SO exhilarating body massage - a legendary Thai treatment that will rescue you from jet lag.

Kamalaya, Koh Samui

Located on heavenly island Koh Samui, Kamalaya is a wellness resort which focuses on relieving stress and burnout. At the centre of the spa is a cave that was once treasured by Buddhist monks as a spiritual retreat, and this legacy is still lived up to in the spa today. Book into their remedies that promote emotional balance, such as the Lotus Scrub and Wrap or Traditional Thai Massage (using a herbal compress,) then unwind in their plunge pools, steam caverns and try out their yoga facilities.

There's no better place to visit a spa than Istanbul, the most historic city in Turkey, and a destination with a rich history of bathing and spas. Whether you choose to visit a traditional Turkish bath, known as a hamam, or a more contemporary offering, you can be sure you'll be treated with Ottoman-style luxury and care.

Vinothérapie Spa by Caudalie Paris at Hotel Les Ottomans

Built from the ashes of a dilapidated seaside mansion, Hotel Les Ottomans plays host to a spa run by iconic French brand Caudalie. Mixing traditions from France and Turkey, you can indulge in Caudalie's signature treatments, perhaps the Barrel Bath (a hydromassage using red wine extracts) or the Crushed Cabernet Scrub (with a base of grape seed, honey, brown sugar and grape seed oil.) Caudalie's ethos is to use ingredients sourced from the grapevine, and their treatments make the most of the natural actives to restore and reinvigorate you. Refresh yourself in the Dead Sea Water Pool, lie back on heated ceramic benches or chill out in the Aroma Steam Bath.

The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul (photo)

The Ritz-Carlton's central location lends it views of the Bosphorus from nearly every space. This also gives the spa its unique selling point - an open air treatment space overlooking the sea and the city skyline. On rainy days, retreat to the indoor pool with its ceiling of twinkling lights. Treatment-wise, the hamam is modelled after the 16th century baths of Roxelana and offers both traditional Turkish and Moroccan rituals - the latter using Moroccan black soap and argan infused body butter.

Çiragan Palace Kempinski Spa by Sanitas at Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

In old-world neighbourhood Besiktas, Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is a luxurious hotel set in a regal Bosphorus mansion. The hotel mixes traditional and contemporary style, and their spa follows suit. The highlight here is the outdoor infinity pool, which is heated in winter and towers over the river, giving you the impression of floating on water. The treatments offered range from Hawaiian temple massages (try the Lomi Lomi Nui) to ancient Indian ayurvedic treatments (like La Stone Therapy, a massage using hot and cold stones.) They also house a traditional hamam, where experiences like The Sultan Treatment cleanse and relax you using milk, rose water and honey.

Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamam

Situated in the most historic area of Istanbul, between the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, this Ottoman era hamam (built in 1556) was extensively restored and reopened in 2008. A visit here is as much historical sightseeing as a luxurious spa visit, as it was built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect. Relax in classical Ottoman architecture while you enjoy traditional treatments and sip a cold glass of complimentary sherbert (made from fruit or flower infusions.) The body scrubs, relaxing body bubble wash and aromatherapy massage will leave you feeling like royalty. You can also opt to receive your treatments in the Sultan's Eyvan (Sultan's Quarter), where you'll be served fresh fruit and lokum (turkish delight.)

Kiliç Ali Pasa Hamam

This turkish bath is situated in the cobbled streets near the medieval Galata Tower. Another creation of renowned architect Mimar Sinan, it was built in 1587, and following restoration, you can once again bathe under the splendour of its domed stone roof - an astonishing 14 metres wide. Put on a pestamal (a classic cotton hamam wrap) and let your personal spa attendant guide you into total relaxation. The ritual includes a preparation session on heated marble, an exfoliation treatment next to the Kurna (a marble water basin) and a purification treatment using bubble soap wash. Retire to their relaxation area afterwards for refreshments.