The remote spa: San Ignacio, Belize

Ka’ana Boutique Resort, San Ignacio, Belize, kaanabelize.com.

Deep in the Belize jungle, Ka’ana Boutique Resort is a five-star oasis offering in-room espresso machines and iPod docks, a wine cellar and a pro mixologist at the spacious bar, which stays open until you decide to go to bed. In the intimate spa, tucked behind the sparkling pool, spa manager Gretel Burns concocts her own natural salves and scrubs. For the Papaya Citrus Smoothie, she slathers on a purée of organic papaya and exfoliating apple seeds that smells so good, I have to resist licking it off my arm. After I rinse, Burns begins a masterful, citrus-infused massage, releasing all of my knots. As I float away, a waiter appears with a fresh, delicious papaya smoothie—the service’s final indulgence. Sipping, I meander serenely back to my room through the mango trees.

In your own backyard

Espace Nomad, 4650 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-842-7279, espacenomad.ca. The delectable ORGANIC BODY SCRUBS ($65), in flavours like Fruit Tree, Sassafras and Mojito, stimulate circulation and leave the skin soft and fresh as a morning in the tropics. —Adriana Ermter

Find out how to get this spa experience at home.