Mallorca's Top Spas, Beauty Experts & Salons

Set in a Spanish style building overlooking the Mediterranean sea, the stunning Arabella Spa at the St. Regis Mardavall Resort is a sure thing for spa aficionados. I had a great thalasso therapy treatment there—the spa's specialty—and was impressed by their Traditional Chinese Medicine center, which has attracted top practitioners in Europe who enjoy living a healthy Mallorcan lifestyle in the sun. Fitness buffs will love the hotel's outdoor jogging track and high-tech fitness center. There's also a great Arabella branded spa over at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida resort, also part of Starwood hotels.

This is where I go in Palma for long lasting manicures and pedicures. Try the ones using a special gel that lasts three weeks! That means more free time on the beach for you ...

I adore this little spot in the southwest Illetas area. Bodhana is a holistic wellness hut on the beach next to the Virtual Beach Club. Chetana, the lovely owner, and her team of therapists offer an array of treatments and classes of Western and Eastern techniques, including Thai massage, shiatsu, Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, Reiki, and raw food nutrition. They also offer manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing. Don't leave without drinking a shot of their healthy wheat grass juice. Book ahead for a "pamper day," and Bodhana therapists will show up at your villa or yacht for custom treatments, private classes, and even bring a vegetarian lunch for you and your friends!

In Palma, S'Aigua Blava Spa is impressive for its facilities, including pools, gym and exercise studios where they hold cardio, step and Pilates classes. It's a one stop health and beauty center. Moms will love that they have a day care center and a restaurant, so you really could spend all day there. The beauty menu includes facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures and more. Be warned that they cater to more of a Spanish speaking clientele.

For a more intimate spa experience, visit the chic little spa at Son Brull, a boutique hotel up north in Pollença. The fact that the hotel occupies a former monastery ensures that you'll be in tranquil environs. The spa has a sauna, hammam and hydro therapy and geothermal pools, and offers skin and body treatments incorporating local ingredients, including olive oil, honey, aloe vera and sea salt. After a divine massage, why not linger and have lunch and sip local wines at Son Brull's courtyard restaurant?

I'm a big fan of getting sun and being tan, but I do so carefully and always wear a top sunscreen. For those of us that need a little extra help in reversing sun damage or general anti-aging skincare, the place to go in Mallorca is Advanced Beauty for high-tech skin treatments using pharmaceutical strength cosmetics. The sleek, storefront space in Palma is owned by skincare expert Susanne Gabric, an Austrian/Australian who's worked with leading international spas and plastic surgeons, and now also provides services at the spas of Mallorca's Hotel Son Net and Hotel Son Julia. Naturally, she has great skin!