The Tropical Spa: Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty and Relaxation Paperback – Illustrated, March 15, 2004

I purchased this after checking it out at the local library. I found myself writing down multiple recipes and the decided to order it with amazon prime.

Great ideas for my spa! Love the recipes for treatments and the pictures are spectacular! Makes me wish I could hop a plane and be there tomorrow!

Cover was torn slightly but excellent book information

Great information!!!

The author is a beauty journalist and not a holistic therapist, so this is not a "how-to" book, but rather and "all about-spa" book. Recipes for face,body, hair and spa cuisine, but minimal technique.

I have watched Bali become the number one tourist destination point over the last 12 years. It was always a great place for beauty treatments, local spas, and magnifient buildings and terrain. This book puts together the best of the above in a picture book full of the most exotic spas, water areas, food, and spices that Bali (and a little of Thailand) has to offer. The Begawan Giri is a most see for anyone who wants to witnesss paradise. I made my way up there upon reading the book and found something so magical and beautiful that it was inspirational. I could not stop talking about it for days. The Asian Spas are so much more intoxicating and beautiful then the European Spas. The packaging of the products with natural fibers, banana leaves, lotus leaves, etc are perfectly pleasing. They are politically correct and appealing. This book is just the beginning of what is taking place in Bali; hopefully other parts of the world will emulate this approach. After reading this book get ready to go for the treatment. And do eat at the Chedi as suggested. I did and it was superbe.

I actully bought this book in Bogor (Java, Indonesia) at the Novotel gift shop while on vacation recently. I stayed at the Chedi during this trip, and the Mandara spa facilities and food are as portrayed in the book, fabulous! We went to the San Gria Spa and Resort in Lembang for our spa experience, as well as the Dharmawangsa in Jakarta. Having had spa treatments in both the U.S. and Indonesia, I have to say that Asia can do it the best! The treatment recipes offered in the book that I have actually tried in the spas (the Balinese Boreh, the Bali Kopi Scrub, and the Creme Bath Hair Treatment) were all heavenly, leaving me feel soft all over, rejuvinated, and at peace. This book goes up on my shelf next to Bali Style by Rod Helmi and Barbara Walker. I love this life!

This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be full of recipies and practices of Asian spas, and it is instead mostly devoted to describing various popular Asian spas. There are some recipies, but not very many. However, it is a beautifully photographed book -- and if you are studying spas themselves (or are planning a trip to Asia and are wondering which spa would suit you best), this would definitely be a book to have.