Moon Author's Review
Laidback Spas
Jamaica has world-class spas based predominantly at the high-end resorts. These facilities are not for those traveling on a tight budget or those seeking an authentic Jamaican vibe. There are several inexpensive local spas that tend to be rough around the edges but can make for entertaining and relaxing visits.
Kiyara Ocean Spa
Located at the luxurious Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Kiyara prides itself on offering natural herbal remedies at the water's edge. Many of the ingredients used for facials and infusions are grown on property.
Jake's Driftwood Spa
Based at the Bedouin-inspired rustic chic Island Outpost property in Treasure Beach, Driftwood Spa features seaside cabanas facing the water where the surf lulls visitors into a trance as they receive treatments that merge holistic techniques and philosophies from around the globe into a potent blend of Caribbean treatments developed by wellness guru Sally Henzell.
Strawberry Hill
Home of the "Strawberry Hill Living" concept, which marries Aveda treatments and Ayurvedic healing philosophies, this spa features five treatment rooms that include hydrotherapy, a sauna, yoga deck, and plunge pool. It has one of the best panoramic views in Jamaica, high up in the cloud forests of the Blue Mountains where lush vegetation and cool mountain air promote health and tranquility.
The Caves
Nowhere else in Jamaica can you get a massage inside a cave filled with candles and flower petals. Soaking in the Jacuzzi located in a private chamber carved into the cliffs in Negril, with a window overlooking the sea, you'll realize this is the perfect spot for relaxation.
Natural Springs
Several natural springs in Jamaica are reputed to have healing powers and have been developed to varying degrees as treatment centers.
Bath Hot Springs
The best of Jamaica's old-school treatment centers, Bath Hot Springs in Port Antonio has Turkish-style tiled basins as well as more modern Jacuzzi tubs. The mineral-heavy water at Bath exits the hillside piping hot, with curative properties that give it its reputed healing powers.
Milk River Baths
The water at Milk River in Clarendon along the South Coast exits its source lukewarm, but what it lacks in heat it makes up for in curative properties. A minimum of three baths is recommended, but it is not advisable to stay in the water for longer than an hour because the water is highly radioactive — more so even than the springs at Vichy in France.
Bubbling Spring
Located in Middle Quarters along the South Coast, this informal spring facility is visited mostly by locals looking to ease muscle and joint pain. The spring water is cool and refreshing, and there's a bar and restaurant on the property.
