100 Best Spas of the World

by Bernard Burt and Pamela Joy Price

Book Overview

A guide to the best spa experiences around the globe - from London to Los Angeles, from Montreal to Moscow, and everywhere in between. It presents advice and information on various aspects of the spa... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762734361
• ISBN13: 9780762734368
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Press
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A superbly organized and "user friendly" compendium of the best spas worldwide

Part of the outstanding "Insiders' Guide" series, and now in an expanded and thoroughly updated edition, One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World is expertly co-authored by Bernard Burt and Pamela Price is a superbly organized and "user friendly" compendium of the best spas worldwide. Descriptively showcasing each featured spa, One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World offers essential details on their facilities and services, FAQs on spa etiquette, the best spa packages, and practical planning tips for a stress-free vacation. One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World is very highly recommended for all readers anticipating a vacation anywhere around the globe and are searching for the best choice of spas available in the planned destinations.

Good, but it could have been better

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of this series. The 2nd edition of "100 Best Spas of the World" was directly responsible for getting me into the spa scene. And it provided a wealth of information that allowed me to create my own spa vacations (sometimes at a much cheaper price than going to some of the posh places listed in the book) simply by taking a less expensive hotel or motel room in the same beautiful towns, and then going into the spas on an hourly or daily basis. But what seems to have happened somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd editions, is that cost-cutting accountants decided that the beautiful color photographs which made the 2nd edition such a masterpiece were no longer cost-effective, and they were relegated to 15 pages in the front of the 3rd edition. This is unfortunate, for it was those beautiful photographs spread throughout the entire text of the 2nd edition that made the reader feel that they were "there" enjoying the wonders of spa living. Now, the 3rd edition is still an excellent book, with a wealth of pertinent information concerning the great spas of the world. But my frank recommendation (especially if you are a beginner in going to spas) is that you get yourself a copy of the 2nd edition of this book (dated 2003). The photographs are what "made" this book, and hopefully for the next edition the publishers will return to the previous format, which made this book the best of its kind in the marketplace. I'm still giving this book 5-stars because of the respect I have for the information contained in the book, but the 2nd edition is deserving of 6 or 7 stars, and it's too bad that this new edition is not in the same category. If you want a book on your coffee table that will give you a visual tour of some of the great spas of the world, and make you yearn to go to a spa on your next vacation, get the 2nd edition.

Very Informative

This book has some great information on what appears to be some fabulous spas and resorts. It was nice to see not only great photos but real practical information like the types of packages offered, the prices, accommodations available, and even information on tourist attractions near the spas. It also gives you some explanations of the types of services offered which was helpful. It covers spas from all over the globe which makes it quite a nice comprehensive overview as well. I haven't actually tried one of them out yet - but it has been nice to dream.

This Book Changed My Whole Approach to Spas -- and Life

This book totally changed my approach to spas -- and life. It describes thoroughly yet readably the whole healthy spa philosophy and profiles the best of them, from India to Cyprus. The reviews are honest and reveal that the authors know their material and were not paid off as is so evident with so many other so-called guidebooks. Also great are insider tidbits such as one on the "Dietique Cocktails" at the Domaine du Royal Club Evian and another on the "spiritual side" of the Finnish sauna. All the details of the spas are featured as well, with photos, so who needs a travel agent or glossy celeb mag to tell one where to go anymore? I'd prefer to learn from the source: this book has helped me deflate the stress of existence. Vive la spa!