Spa guests at Johannesburg’s Saxon Hotel are getting to grips with South African wellness traditions thanks to the Soul by Saxon Signature Journey.

Commencing with a mindfulness element, the ritual comprises three steps: a body exfoliation with a moringa scrub, a red African mud mask, and finally a full-body deep pressure massage using marula oil and African tools such as the rungu stick, calabash and rain stick – all of which serve to encourage cell renewal, boost circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.

The treatment is based on products by Soul, a South African company that uses local and natural ingredients from carefully-selected farmers across the country.

Where: The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration: 105 minutes

Cost: R 2,460 (€147, US$153, £125)

Kira Hower

Mandarin Oriental Boston has upgraded its wellness menu with empowerment coaching for women over 40 looking to enhance their midlife years.

The offerings are conducted in partnership with women’s empowerment coach, Kira Hower, who has more than 20 years’ experience. Hower customises each session based on the guests’ goals, helping women to strengthen their voices by tackling topics such as powerful communication, relationship wellness, perfectionism and influencing with impact.

The programme also covers midlife transitions and visioning, creating vibrant relationships, celebrating ageing and declaring your deepest desires. Hower says: “This coaching can help to bring clarity, courage and connection to women of all ages.”

Where: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, US

Duration: 75 minutes per session

Cost: US$1,050 (€1,030, £869) for three sessions over six weeks or six sessions over three months, US$2,100 (€2,060, £1,738)

photo: shutterstock/angelaflu

Tuscan olives are the star ingredient in Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s brand-new facial, designed to showcase the nourishing power of the region’s olive crop.

A gentle exfoliation with olive-kernel powder kicks off the ritual and then therapists apply extra virgin olive oil to refresh the skin and remove impurities. The lifting massage that follows is said to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation throughout the rest of the body.

Claimed to be rich in vitamins E and A, olive oil cream is then applied to bring nourishment and luminosity. The treatment’s finale sees guests sample local extra virgin olive oil with a selection of savoury snacks.

Where: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Montalcino, Italy

Duration: 30 minutes

Cost: €190 (US$196, £161)

The popular Japanese adventure activity of stream climbing (sawanobori) has inspired new programming on the Japanese island of Okinawa, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Claimed to promote mental and physical wellbeing, the new Wade Through the Waters of Yanbaru programme is designed to offer an energising experience that consists of wading and swimming through plunge pools and streams in ancient forests, rewarding guests with unique views of the rugged terrain.

Each experience begins with a kayak trip across the largest dam in Okinawa, plus a guided tour of a forest where guests can observe the region’s endangered species and indigenous plants.

Where: Halekulani Okinawa, Japan

Duration: Three hours

Cost: US$181 per person (€177, £150)

The retreat includes mobility sessions / photo: Jake Eastham

Lime Wood Hotel’s award-winning Herb House spa has launched Re-Wild Yourself retreats. Designed to ground guests in nature, the three journeys have been designed to recharge mind, body and soul and restore balance, health and creativity.

The active Forest Fix Retreat, for example, is designed for adventurous guests looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors while taking time to reflect on their health. Led by head of fitness Justin Pimm, the experience includes forest runs, mobility and strength sessions and a kettlebell and Forest Combat Session in the woods, as well as a relaxing 60-minute full body massage and recovery time in the spa.

Where: Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire, UK

Duration: One day

Cost: £325 (€384, US$393)

Carina Garcia Girone / photo: Sofitel Legend Santa Clar

Therapists in Colombia are working with emeralds in a body treatment designed to cleanse energy centres. Spa director Carina Garcia Girone claims emerald is “a stone of wisdom which calms emotions”.

During the spa’s Legendary Emerald Ritual – featuring a body scrub, an aromatic pindas bath, a facial and a Swedish back, leg and foot massage – therapists incorporate emeralds, quartz and skincare products infused with the vibrant green stone. Guests also drink a half cup of emerald-infused elixir to help them fully embrace its benefits.

Where: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Bolívar, Colombia

Duration: 150 minutes

Cost: COP634,000 (€146, US$150, £124)