Touch of the orient

St. Regis Beijing uses Ayurveda at its Iridium Spa, which refers to a traditional medical system in India that is more than 5,000 years old.

Melo Spa has the distinction of being unique in the world of Hyatt spas and a very Shatin experience.

Over in Guangzhou, the spa at the Mandarin Oriental won the Best China Spa Design of 2013 with its flowing curves and futuristic elements that allow for maximum privacy, essential for ladies who shed their makeup in order to enjoy all the spa facilities.

The City Garden body treatment is a refreshing program that begins with a bath infused with a kumquat and chrysanthemum poultice that will remove unwanted internal dampness, according to TCM theories. It is followed by a full-body massage with rose, geranium and sweet orange oil.

Sara Codner, director of the Spa at the hotel, says it's not about using local elements when in Asia. It is because this region is where wellness and internal healing began.

"It's about Asian philosophy and treatment and less about cosmetic procedures. Asia has been doing this for thousands of years. Guangzhou, in particular, is perhaps the best place one can learn about traditional Chinese medicine."

In Shanghai, when the environment is challenging at best, treatments offered by spa and wellness centers at luxury hotels help chase away seasonal doldrums and stress.

At Puli hotel, the concept of "urban retreat" gives it a selling point that is reinforced by its Anantara Spa, which originates from Thailand.

The special package, Autumn Magic, starts with a floral foot ritual, followed by a white tea and avocado body wrap and a traditional Chinese massage.