Budgets are like fingerprints everyone has their own unique one.

. Sometimes you need to find the best bargain, and sometimes you want to spend big and spoil yourself. We scoured the globe to find 10 great destinations that fit either bill: five places where part of the relaxation comes from knowing youre getting one of the best deals on the planet, and five where extra joy comes from going all out and living it up.
By Liz Woodson

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The Place: The Maldives Why Go: This string of 1,190 islands that stretches 510 miles across the Indian Ocean lures sybarites with gorgeous sands, spectacular surf and spa services that are among the best in the world. Treatment rooms here pile on the wow factor coming in all forms, from overwater to underwater and every level in between. WhaT To GeT: Much of the Maldives spa tradition can be traced to its proximity to its two closest neighbors, India and Sri Lanka (Maldives sits roughly 400 miles south of the latter). Healers here practice a version of ayurveda, and the best spas are following suit. Where To GeT IT: Spread out over a private island in the Baa Atoll (and with several treatment rooms built overwater), The Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is the closest thing to a destination spa here. Two on-site ayurvedic doctors will prescribe a course of treatments from bodywork to dietary plans according to your dosha; guests can follow the menu to the letter during their stay, thanks to the on-site ayurvedic chef. The hotel also offers multi-day retreats dedicated to issues like sleep therapy and male-female relationships though you may get as much out of just blissing on the beach and drinking in the gorgeous scenery. WhaT IT cosTs: At just shy of $10,000 per person, seven-night Ayurvedic Immersions certainly arent cheap, but everything is included, from seaplane transfers and accommodations in an elaborately outfitted beachfront bungalow (complete with a private pool), to meals, yoga, spa treatments and even dosha-specific cooking classes. Where else To sPlurGe: After getting your wellness fill, book one of the 11 cabins on the Four Seasons Explorer, the resorts 128-foot catamaran, for a multi-day jaunt around the Maldives to rarely visited dive sites.

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The Place: Budapest, hungary Why Go: Hungarys capital, Budapest, is called the City of the Spas for a reason: The long-standing bathing tradition is still going strong today, and locals make it a regular practice. The city is home to some of the most beautiful (and least expensive!) bathhouses in Europe. WhaT To GeT: Dont just sit and bathe, but take the waters in full form. Most bathhouses have multiple pools with different temperatures moving between waters of varying degrees speeds up the metabolism and increases circulation. Its generally best to warm up in the tepid water pool, and then go between hot (the steam room, sauna or mineral-rich thermal pools) and cold (the cold plunge and ice-cold plunge) for 30 minutes to an hour. And while most people bathe in the nude in same-sex facilities, pack a bathing suit bathhouses also have co-ed sections where some form of cover-up is required. Where To GeT IT: The Gellrt Baths and Spa (pictured), with its mineral -rich waters renowned for their curative powers and stunning Art Nouveau design (elaborate tile work, stained-glass roof and Romanesque marble columns), is one of the citys most famous bathing spots. Post-soak, the Gellrt offers utilitarian massages given in an adjoining suite. The Bathhouse connects to the 414-room Danubius Hotel Gellrt, which embodies much of the same Belle Epoque glamour, from its 1896 building to the six-story, glass-roofed lobby atrium with marble floors and archways. WhaT IT cosTs: An entrance ticket is $21, and another $15 for a massage. Double rooms at the Danubius Hotel Gellrt start at $180. hoW To sPend The savInGs: Search for kitschy communist-era/ Marxist memorabilia at the Bolholpiac Petofi Csarnok Flea Market.

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The Place: dubai, united arab emirates Why Go: Dubai is well known for its over-the-top luxuries and the spas here are no exception. If you prefer your rubdown in a super-luxe setting think massage oils infused with precious gemstones, tented treatment rooms and bespoke pre- and post-bathing rituals in elaborately ornate rasuls and hammams then make a beeline for this gleaming desert oasis. WhaT To GeT: For all its excess, Dubai happens to be one of the worlds biggest advocates for Middle Eastern medicine. To wit: Spas in the city are offering treatments rooted in the centuries-old healing modality by incorporating traditional ingredients like rose oil, honey, aloe, saffron and dates. Where To GeT IT: With 31 uber-luxe tented villas that come complete with water temp-adjustable pools (pictured), its clear why the 101-room Banyan Tree Al Wadi (located just outside of Dubai in the Wadi Khadeja desert) is a playground for billionaires looking to channel their inner Bedouin. But a spa lovers paradise? Its true: The resorts lengthy treatment menu features services like the three-hour Royal Wadi, which combines a skin-soothing aloe rubdown with an exfoliating scrub made from cucumber and white sesame seeds, followed by a massage and mini-facial. The spa also offers an elaborate wet circuit with 16 different hydro experiences, from a salt-infused steam cabin to a tile-covered hammam. And should the desert get a little too hot, you can check into one of the 32 beachfront pool villas at the resorts new Beach Club (a short 20-minute drive from Al Wadi), where another six-pavilion spa offers its own brand of seaside TLC. WhaT IT cosTs: Rates at Al Wadi start at $550, while villas at the beach begin at $950. And in the spa, expect to plop down $260 for the grand Royal Wadi experience. Where else To sPlurGe: A private safari with Arabian Adventures takes you to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where youll ride a camel through the dunes to an Arabic barbecue under the stars.

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The Place: Malacca, Malaysia Why Go: When it comes to Asian wellness, Malaysia usually plays second (or third, or fourth) fiddle to pampering powerhouses like India, Thailand and China. But the Southeast Asian nation has plenty to keep spa-goers happy, including a strong wellness tradition that blends ayurvedic, Thai and Chinese influences with its own indigenous culture. WhaT To GeT: Traditional Malay massage is a form of deep-tissue work that uses long, kneading strokes across muscles (like running an iron across clothing) which makes it perfect for banishing plane-induced knots after your Transpacific flight. Many versions of the modality increase the benefits by using oils infused with ingredients like turmeric and cinnamon that promote better circulation. Where To GeT IT: Housed in a 1920s mansion on the banks of the Malacca River, the Majestic Malacca reflects the European, Chinese, Indian and Malay influences that define Malacca today. The spa follows suit with its styling from the beautiful porcelain tile work and intricate wood carvings on walls, to the Chinese day beds in the relaxation room and the menu of services featuring treatments like the aforementioned Malay massage. WhaT IT cosTs: Starting at around $55, bodywork is less than half of what it usually is at five-star resorts in Malaysias more traveled neighbors. And the hotel itself does pretty well too, with room rates starting at $250 not bad for a place known to have the citys best bed. hoW To sPend The savInGs: Take the guided, 45-minute Melaka River Cruise along the Malacca River the citys main artery to see historic churches, bridges, clan houses and temples. Tours leave every half-hour from a spot near the Majestic.

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The Place: Tuscany, Italy Why Go: The ancient Romans had it right: If youre going to head somewhere to take in the waters, then you couldnt pick a better place than Tuscany 9,000 square miles of picturesque rolling hills under which nutrient-rich thermal waters flow. Pair your spa experience with visits to charming towns, serious art-viewing, and good old-fashioned eating and drinking Italian-style. WhaT To GeT: Thermal baths have been a favored means of healing for thousands of years well-heeled Romans (and the Etruscans before them) traveled to the region to treat a range of ailments, from skin disorders to arthritis pain. Today the therapeutic waters come with super-luxe facilities a decided upgrade from what our Roman ancestors had. Where To GeT IT: At the plush 140-room Terme di Saturnia, guests can indulge in one of four al fresco thermal pools where the water stays a sultry 99 degrees. Up the healing factor at the on-site spa, which offers treatments that incorporate balenotherapy, including detoxifying heated mud wraps and hydromassage to stimulate the lymph system. Also on the spa menu: multi-day programs that will help you detox or shape up with massages, facials and medical examinations. WhaT IT cosTs: Hotel guests get free access to the hot springs pools, but as rooms here start at just under $300 (per person), its not exactly a cheap proposition. But youre getting all the service that comes with one of the worlds leading hotels. Where else To sPlurGe: Wine estates in nearby Bolgheri make some of Italys best reds, including the Bordeaux-style Sassicaia. Make sure to pick up a bottle (or two).

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The Place: Port villa, vanuatu Why Go: On this tiny island nation, you get all the good of the South Pacific beautiful beaches, gracious people and Melanesian-inspired wellness traditions without the usually exorbitant price tag. Yes, reaching the tiny island nation can put a dent in your wallet (though there are deals to be had via Virgin Australia) but once youre there, low hotel prices, cheap eats and plenty of gratis activities (like lounging on powdery white sands) should more than make up for the difference. WhaT To GeT: The islands of the South Pacific are renowned for their amazingly diverse fauna, so go for a body treatment that incorporates indigenous ingredients like hydrating coconut oil or tamanu oil (its renowned for its cell regeneration properties). Vanuatu is a volcanic island, so mineral-rich volcanic ash is abundant and often used as a mild exfoliant in scrubs. Where To GeT IT: The spa at Erakor Island Resort prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients whenever it can. Get scrubbed with a paste made from tanna coffee beans, and then rubbed with virgin coconut oil. Away from the treatment room, the 21-room resort which sits on a tiny island, a short boat ride away from the Vanuatu capital of Port Villa channels the requisite tropical chic vibe with its palm-filled grounds and rooms with netted beds and water views. WhaT IT cosTs: A paltry $35 for the 45-minute treatment, and another $250 for a room who says paradise has to be expensive? hoW To sPend The savInGs: Visit the stunning Cascade Waterfalls, located a quick 15-minute taxi ride outside of Port Villa, and lounge an afternoon away in any of the five spring-fed pools.

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The Place: Marrakesh, Morocco Why Go: Despite having one of the richest beauty and wellness traditions found anywhere (hammams and argan oil, anyone?), Morocco has more of a reputation for shopping and casbah chic than healing pursuits. All thats changing as hotels are elevating the art of wellness in the country proof positive that its time to rock the casbah, spa-style. WhaT To GeT: Do as the locals do, and sweat it out in a hammam. Residents visit their neighborhood public steam baths weekly to progress between hot, warm and cold chambers, wash their bodies with black olive soap, and exfoliate using cloth mitts all in the name of detox. The best spas have upgraded the concept, making the experience a more private affair and adding features like aroma, color and sound therapy. Where To GeT IT: Storied La Mamounia (pictured) reopened in 2009 after a three-year, $180 million renovation. One of the countrys preeminent hotels, its welcomed glamorous guests such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston. The spa's three hammams come tricked out with black marble and elaborate tile work. Rituals were specially designed by Moroccan beauty line marocMaroc, and include a head-totoe exfoliation with a pressed olives and salt scrub, followed by another rubdown with a honey-based paste. WhaT IT cosTs: The $110 price tag for the basic ritual is considerably more than the entry fee to the neighborhood hammam (usually under $20) but how else are they going to pay for all that black marble? Rooms start at $740. Where else To sPlurGe: Shopping, of course from the medinas souks offering kaftans and exotic spices to the trendy home boutiques in the Guliz neighborhood. The Place: sacred valley, Peru Why Go: Peru is just starting to attract visitors looking for authentic wellness offerings by bringing Andean-inspired treatments into modern spa environments which means authentic services at below market prices. WhaT To GeT: Peruvian wellness services take a full mind-body approach by incorporating crystal therapy (to balance the bodys chakras) and consultations with shamans with scrubs and rubs made with native plants and herbs, like pimienta molle (a type of pink peppercorn) and eucalyptus. Where To GeT IT: The Sacred Valley is characterized by its tiny villages and ancient Incan ruins. Channeling the rugged regions unique spirit was a priority for the 115-room, hacienda-chic Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness (pictured). Spa guests can sign up for services like a Sacred Coca Leaf Reading, where a shaman sprinkles the leaves on a blanket and reads someones life based upon their position. WhaT IT cosTs: Bodywork starts at $60, while the aforementioned 20minute prophetic service is $50; $235 will get you a room at the hotel. hoW To sPend The savInGs: Take a private taxi tour through the Valley and linger where you want.

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The Place: Beverly hills, california Why Go: Maybe theres a rule: the more celebrities, the more over-the-top the pampering rituals. That would explain why the area packs in some pretty serious spa-cred after all, making a splash in this town requires more than your basic ol rubdown. WhaT To GeT: LA is known for its veggie-loving yogis, but the citys best spa treatments are less about the ohm and more about the oh-my-God. Services here pull out all the stops (think wrinkle-banishing electric stimulation and creams made from precious metals) to get everyone red carpetready just short of going under the knife. Where To GeT IT: At the Spa by La Prairie Spa at The Beverly Hills Hotel (pictured), platinum is the secret weapon. In the 90-minute Platinum Rare Facial, two therapists treat your face, hands, arms, feet and legs to the anti-aging benefits of the precious metal (thought to restore skins electrolyte balance and improve hydration, tone and radiance). The down-covered bed and selection of music ups the bliss. Its all in keeping with the hotels ritzy vibe: This 216-room pink palace, with its Sunset Boulevard address, glamorous Polo Lounge, 23 spacious bungalows (some with pianos and personal gyms) and two new three-bedroom Presidential Bungalows, is a fave stay of Hollywoods elite. WhaT IT cosTs: For $410, the Platinum Rare Facial is undoubtedly one of the most expensive facials. Rooms start at $500. But hey, this is Beverly Hills .... Where else To sPlurGe: Youve done the spas version of blinging out; now head to British jeweler Stephen Websters new Rodeo Drive boutique to bring home a little rare platinum of your own.

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The Place: cape Town, south africa Why Go: You wont find corner massage parlors here, but with the rand at an extremely favorable exchange rate, youre able to get high-quality hotel-spa services at a price much lower than what youre accustomed to at home. WhaT To GeT: Look for locally inspired treatments that incorporate indigenous healing ingredients, like rooibus (an herbal plant used to make a tea known for its regenerative properties) and the antioxidant-rich, and very hydrating, marula oil. Where To GeT IT: Set on the lower slope of iconic Table Mountain, Mount Nelson Hotels Librisa Spa offers both skincare and body services rooted in Africana. Our favorite: the hydrotherapy baths that incorporate pouches filled with indigenous plants and herbs, like rooibus and African potato, along with herbal oil blends. WhaT IT cosTs: Librisa Spa is in one of the citys best hotels, but services start at a paltry $50 and dont go much higher from there. Rooms, however, arent so cheap (they start at $450). Our advice: Spend a day at the spa, but base yourselves at uber-hip Grand Daddy Hotel, in the heart of the city, where you can stay in a designer-designed rooftop Airstream for just over $200 a night. hoW To sPend The savInGs: Take a day trip to the Capes wine region to sample the areas signature grape, Pinotage. The charming town of Franschhoek, home to tasting rooms, top-notch restaurants, art galleries and gourmet food shops, is a quick 45-minute drive from the city.
Budapest: marvin e. neWman/getty images; cape toWn: Frans Lemmens/ getty images; tuscany: jeremy Woodhouse/getty images; port viLa: christopher Biggs/getty images; maLacca: roLF richardson/aLamy; caLiFornia: neiL emmerson/getty images

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