Welcome to the PATA UK & Ireland Chapter

PATA Executive Committee Member, Alison Haining, gives us an insight into the best spa & wellness experiences in the Pacific Asia region:

 

But what if reset  didn’t require any of it? No playlists. No eucalyptus towels. Just awareness.
 

This month, we explore wellness in forms that don’t look like wellness at all: walking in silence through 1,200 years of Japanese pilgrimage history, soaking in Bhutanese mineral waters heated by fire and river stones, surrendering to Ayurveda in Sri Lanka where the body learns to let go, and learning plant wisdom directly from Indigenous communities in Malaysia. 

 

These are not merely treatments. They are an invitation to rethink wellness

 

In Shikoku, wellness begins with one step. The Shikoku Pilgrimage — a circular journey of 88 temples — is rooted in a simple truth: when the body moves slowly, the mind follows. Travellers walk between temples, passing cedar forests, quiet farm roads, and tiny villages where locals welcome pilgrims with o-settai, small gifts offered without expectation. Expect to see a farmer stopping his tractor to hand you a sweet mandarin. No words, just presence. Here, the path does the teaching. Each step becomes reflection. Each temple becomes permission to let go of urgency and return to intention.

 

“Most people think the pilgrimage is about endurance. But the gift is witnessing real luxury  is how people treat you along the way. Locals hand you fruit, tea, even a ride — not to impress you, but because kindness is part of the route.”

— Rachel Lee, General Manager, DTH Travel Japan

 

Did You Know? The white pilgrim robe (hakui) isn’t just a symbol of purity — it also represents readiness. Historically, pilgrims walked prepared for death, which made every step an act of mindfulness and gratitude.

 

High above here, wellness begins with the elements. Dotsho literally means “hot stone bath” — a traditional Bhutanese healing ritual where the forces of fire, water, earth, and herbs work together. River stones are heated until they glow red, then dropped into a wooden tub filled with mountain water and fresh herbs like artemisia and juniper. The stones crackle, steam rises, minerals are released, and the water transforms into menchu, or “medicine water.” Nothing about dotsho is ornamental. No playlist. No scent diffusers. No design theatrics. Just heat, earth, and silence that leaves nowhere to hide from yourself. Travellers come expecting relaxation and leave with something far rarer: release. 

 

COMO Uma Paro deepens dotsho into a full restorative journey — paired with precise deep-tissue massage and therapy, where ancient ritual meets contemporary precision without diluting its soul.

 

“Travellers expect a spa. What surprises them is that dotsho uses no chemicals, no scent oils — just river stones and herbs. Your skin feels different for days because the minerals are real, not cosmetic.”

— Ugyen Dorji, General Manager, DTH Travel Bhutan

 

Elemental Detail: A fascinating detail many travellers miss: the darker the water becomes, the more minerals the stones have surrendered. The earth gives something away, and so do you.

 

To experience Ayurveda in Sri Lanka is to submit to a different pace. The word Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit — ayur meaning “life” and veda meaning “knowledge” or “science.” Here, it’s exactly that: the science of how to live well. Travellers first meet with a physician who prescribes treatments based on the body’s specific imbalances. Routines simplify. Screens disappear. Herbal oils replace stimulation, and meals are prepared from herbs grown onsite — neem for cleansing, gotukola for focus, ashwagandha for grounding. The nervous system begins to recalibrate without asking for permission. Within days, the body sleeps deeper. Within a week, the mind follows. This is not escapism. It is structured surrender.

 

“Ayurveda here isn’t about choosing treatments. Your body dictates the program. You follow what it needs, not what you prefer.”

— Suranjith De Fonseka, Managing Director, DTH Travel Sri Lanka

 

•Sustainable Wisdom: Many of the herbs used in treatments are grown in community gardens where farmers are paid above-market rates to ensure biodiversity and ecological continuity. Wellness becomes conservation.ellness is as much about giving back to local communities to allow us to have these kind of experiences.

 

In Sarawak, wellness isn’t something you consume buy  — it’s something you learn. Indigenous guides at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre lead travellers through an ethnobotanical garden where every plant tells a story: herbs that steady the heart, roots that bring courage, leaves that soothe fevers. The most transformative moment is the Traditional Steam Spa, a small hut filled with aromatic steam from local herbs. Within minutes, city noise disappears. A stillness returns. Travellers mix their own oil blends using Litsara — an essential oil derived from a native tree long used by healers.

 

“Most wellness programs end when the treatment ends. Here, you leave knowing exactly which plants help your sleep, digestion, or stress — and how to use them at home.”

— Renee Osman, General Manager, DTH Travel Malaysia

 

Community Impact: Few wellness products in the world share revenue with Indigenous knowledge holders. Litsara does. The community owns the wisdom, the harvesting rights, and the benefit.

 

Because the next evolution of wellness isn’t always about more — it can be less. Less props, less demands, and ultimately, less layers between you and your own clarity. 

 

For transformative, insight-led travel experiences, contact Mr. David Carlaw at david.carlaw@dth.travel. Or discover more at www.dth.travel.

 

Here are some experiences to inspire you:

 

Shizuoka has many hot springs all over the prefecture, each with its own unique qualities. From luxurious Ryokan inns to charming guesthouses, each stay promises unparalleled hospitality. Some locations have stunning views of Mt. Fuji and/or Suruga Bay.  Shizuoka emerges as a true "hot spring heaven," inviting you to immerse yourself in wellness amid breathtaking surroundings.  To find out more about the varied range of onsens in the different regions of Shizuoka, click here.

 

Located right in front of the shining Atami Sun Beach, Pearl Star Hotel Atami offers a soothing and luxurious time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The elegant Onsen hotel boasts comfortable rooms and sophisticated amenities

where traditional Japanese elements meet modern design.

With open-air infinity baths and wellness facilities, guests can unwind in tranquil settings. There are a variety of on-site dining options to savour fresh local produce.

 

Kawane is a small town, a one hour train ride through the mountain along the river, where you can see real local farmers and experience their own heart-warming Omotenashi. Your experience will include sightseeing, harvesting, studying green tea, cooking and also tea experience. For more information, click here.

 

This tour allows you to not only discover Shizuoka’s stunning scenery and Mt. Fuji foothills, but also its traditional life and local flavours enroute. The experience includes visiting Lake Tanuki, riding through a traditional Japanese village, trying fresh spring water from Mt. Fuji and fresh rainbow trout at a local farm, as well as riding to the World Heritage Shiraito Falls. Click here for more details.

 

Learn more by visiting Explore Shizuoka

 

For more information on onsen resorts and for general training opportunities, contact Sandra Kwan at sandra@humewhitehead.co.uk