Four Seasons Resort and Spa, Langkaw Malaysia.

By Barbara Kingstone

On Langkawi, an island off a larger island of Penang and off the north west coast of the mainland Malaysia, is the relatively new and simple put, splendid, 91 unit For Seasons Resort and Spa which opened in mid 2005.

In this archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, the voyage to this part of the world is not for someone who is the ‘are we there yet?’ type personality. That question is not even in the scale of single digit hour travel from parts of the USA and Canada. But once you arrive at the very private and sumptuous resort, only 25 minutes from Langkawi International Airport, any vestige of life back home is quickly erased. It’s like having a temporary lobotomy.

Smart hoteliers these days, build hotels which always include a health and wellness center, the new buzz world for spa. Not all are located within the hotel itself but certainly in the complex.

Away from the hub of this property, is a full service spa set in six magnificent pavilions. The menu offers great choices for both men and women, from the traditionally inspired

Malaysian, Balinese, Thai, India’s Ayurvedic healing arts and ancient Chinese treatments. Still-water reflecting pools encircle the pavilions and the calmness of the water is an indication of the entire atmosphere. Teak Moorish-inspired lounges outside of the treatment center give an additional serene touch as one can linger and lay back on the colorful, oversized pillows .

Having been to several other spas on this trip, I had had my fill of body massages over the week in Malaysia. This time, I asked Crystal, my esthetician for foot reflexology as well as a scalp and hair treatment.

Sitting on a small , private wood deck outside the room, my feet were immersed in a copper basin to which Crystal added ground mud. This soon thickened to a jelly-like substance. After 10 minutes of soaking, she then added salt which suddenly dissolved the mixture. The often excruciating but efficacious reflexology session began. After the tug of war with my arches and toes and a few involuntary shouts of ouch from me, we moved into the substantial private treatment room with its own sauna, a 12 shower head shower locker and loo.

From toes now to head, Neem cream was massaged into my hair and scalp after which Crystal proceeded to add more pressure to the neck and shoulder area relaxing my muscles. The grand finale was the spurting of the multi-head shower which pointed to various parts of the body. Also, available, although I didn’t have the time, is an open patio for mediation and yoga..so perfect in this peaceful surrounding. But I did feel rejuvenated and very stress free.