Welcome to the third iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, a compendium of the 100 best spas in the world, compiled based on first-person reviews and careful editing. This year, we’ve renewed our focus on establishments that have established a reputation for exceptional care of body and mind, though there is a great variety in the list. Whatever you are seeking when it comes to wellness, there is something here for you.
Why go here?
The Maldives is synonymous with relaxation. It’s remote. It’s quiet. It’s beautiful. There are no distractions other than the captivating ocean painted in a spectrum of blues, sunsets that look like a screensaver. Which also makes it the perfect stage for focusing on yourself. And if you’re staying at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, where the recently rebranded spa offers much more than run-of-the-mill massages and facials, you might just make a meaningful lifestyle adjustment that lasts far beyond your allotted appointment time. The spa even has an unusual connection to a heritage half a world away—a distinguishing feature among an admirable if increasingly expected emphasis on the hyper local.
What’s the vibe?
Because it’s set on its own islet just mere yards from the resort’s jetty, you’ll be whisked away on a miniature wooden dhoni to reach the spa. An outdoor yoga pavilion sits on the right while the rest of the spa occupies the bulk of the isle. After sipping on ginger-lime tea and refreshing with a cold, eucalyptus- and ylang ylang–scented towel, you’ll be ushered to one of the seven treatment suites. The sliding door opens up to a covered bridge where you’ll first relax with a footbath and just beyond that is a thatched hut hovering over the translucent water, where clever glass panels below the massage tables’ headrests offer glimpses of marine life.
The history?
While the resort has been open since 1998, the spa concept was completely overhauled this past December. ŪRJĀ, meaning vitality in Sanskrit, aims to provide preventative and holistic wellness rooted in naturopathy, the belief that our bodies have an innate ability to heal themselves in the right environment with proper nutrition and movement. Assessments might include a micronutrient analysis, tongue examination, pulse reading, and iridology (the alternative medicine practice of studying the iris as a diagnostic tool), or a combination of ancient practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and alternative medicine. All help guide the spa’s physician-led team into building a program that’s best suited for each guest.
The spa utilizes products from three different companies, but most surprisingly are those from the Emma Kunz Centre. While searching for artwork that would complement the ŪRJĀ concept, the team serendipitously encountered the drawings of Emma Kunz, a Swiss 20th-century naturopath and researcher who also created hypnotic, astral drawings—something like a cross between Sol LeWitt and Hilma Af Klint. In 1941, Kunz was treating a boy suffering from infantile paralysis and discovered in his family’s quarry what she eventually coined as Aion A, an alkaline limestone rich in minerals, that ostensibly had a positive impact on the body. The boy overcame his illness, and would later dedicate a center to his life-saving heroine. Now, at ŪRJĀ, Aion A is mostly used for localized applications or deployed alongside Kunz’s herbal oil of juniper, thyme, and lemon balm for inflammation-reducing massages.
What should you try?
If you want to really dive into naturopathy, multi-day programs centered around sleep enhancement, liver detox, and joint care are met with personalized dietary programs, yoga therapies, treatments, and meditation. But for those who want to just test the waters, I’d highly recommend the Magnetic Meridian Sculpt. The experience combines TCM and naturopathy, silicone cups, gua sha, and tuning forks, while Chi Nei Tsang, a TCM abdominal massage, helps with bloating and relieves constipation. The frequencies and vibrations emitted from the metal forks not only alleviate pain and tension, it also targets the vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system that regulates rest and digestion.
However, if you’re intrigued by the concept of Aion A, opt for the Emma Kunz Harmoniser. This full-body treatment consists of a wrap made from the finely ground limestone to stimulate circulation and restore balance from within, a massage combined with acupressure using Kunz’s oil, and an Aion A facial paired with a scalp massage. After this two-hour treatment I noticed a little extra pep in my step. Now whether that’s because of the Aion A or the fact that I was in the picturesque Maldives is uncertain, but either way I can’t ignore that my emotional and mental state had greatly improved.
How environmentally friendly is it?
In addition to the entire resort being devoid of single-use plastic, the property also participates in marine conservation efforts that include coral restoration and turtle rehabilitation. Alongside its Landaa Giraavaru sister hotel, the property also offers an apprenticeship program for young Maldivians interested in the hospitality industry.
What else do you need to know?
Daily complimentary wellness classes include breath work, flying meditation, and sound healing. Beyond the spa, this is the place where you might want to actually choose a beach pavilion instead of an overwater villa. The recently renovated oceanfront accommodations have a more modern look and boast an airy solarium-esque bathroom. There’s also plenty of outdoor space, complete with a large pool and an idyllic pergola furnished with a custom-designed swing chair that’s perfect for staring out at the crystal-clear water. And if you’re staying on the sunrise side, the stretch of white-sand beach in your backyard is strictly reserved for you and your immediate neighbors.
Who can go?
The spa is typically only available to hotel guests, but on some occasions non-staying visitors can book treatments with advance arrangements.
Booking details for ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Address: North Malé Atoll, 20097, Maldives
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
