<b><i>Spa: The Sensuous Experience</i></b> Features 50 Extraordinary Sites

spafinder.jp websiteSpa: The Sensuous Experience takes readers on a worldwide tour of the most spectacular spas, hand-picked by spa aficionados Robert D. Henry and Julie D. Taylor. The 256-page book—published by The Images Publishing Group—is available in stores for retail price of $65.

Award-winning architect Robert D. Henry, AIA, has not only studied the art of spas, but his New York City firm has also designed a number of spa facilities. Author and public relations expert Julie D. Taylor's specialties include architecture, design, building, and other creative industries involved in the built environment.

"What makes this book different," states Henry, "is that we've hand-picked the most sensuous locations on earth." Adds Taylor: "This is not a catalogue, but a well-curated collection."

This collection of 50 thermal, resort, wellness and medical, day, destination, thalasso, and hotel spas spotlights the location, design, and treatment experiences that make them havens of sensuous well-being and luxury. Each chapter is introduced by a spa expert, who gives readers the meaning of each spa type—from warm waters of Thermal Spas to traveler's escapes at Hotel Spas. Noted design writer Julie V. Iovine lends her expertise to an informative history of the rituals and palaces encompassing Salus Per Aqua (health through water).

Some of the spas readers will experience have never been seen before (Orient Retreat Spa in Taiwan), some are well-known classics (Takaragawa Onsen in Japan), and others are sure to be future favorites (Kara at Park Hyatt Los Angeles). Through sumptuous photography and descriptive text, readers indulge in such experiences as Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa's Walbul-Walbul Butterfly treatment with Australian salts and mud, Nopal Anti-Cellulite and Detox Wrap using local Mexican cactus at Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Wine Barrel Bath whirlpool at the working French vineyard of Les Sources de Caudalie, White Lotus Enricher at Banyan Tree Shanghai day spa, and Balneo-Sono-Color-Relaxation at Liquidrom Therme Bath in Berlin, to name just a few of the signature treatments described in detail.

Both world travelers and armchair voyagers will find a rich cornucopia of sybaritic encounters in Spa: The Sensuous Experience.