Taking a long-haul flight can lead to all sorts of ailments - leaving your body unsure whether it should be awake or asleep, your muscles aching from hours in a cramped cabin and your skin dry and dehydrated. Many hotels offer massages or treatments that can help with this, but here are a selection that provide particularly unique or unusual programmes specifically designed to deal with jet lag.
Hotel Nikko, Tokyo
Aqua Zero G Programme
What's it like? A trainer guides your body through a series of stretches whilst floating in the pool. The therapy uses the buoyancy of water to allow you to stretch more deeply. Perfect for getting rid of the aches and tensions picked up on a long-haul flight.
Price: ¥6000 (US$76) for 30 minutes, ¥9000 (US$114) for 45 minutes
Taj Wellington Mews, Mumbai
Abhilaya Yoga Sessison
What's it like? This hour-long session is specially designed to eliminate the effects of jet lag. You begin with breathing practice to synchronise and rebalance the body, and then adopt simple yoga postures that can relieve muscle pain and enhance blood circulation, before ending with a meditative sleep.
Price: A one-hour session is Rs 1,500 (US$27)
Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Travellers Retreat Package
What's it like? This combines several treatments and is designed to combat jet lag. This begins with a soothing aroma bath, followed by a choice of salt scrub or algae wrap to cleanse your skin of all the grime of travel, then an hour-long massage session to remove muscle tension. Finally, there’s a half –hour long refresher facial.
Price: The 3.5 hour package is RMB 1,770 (US$278)
Langham Place, Mongkok
Acupuncture and Gua Sha treatments
What's it like? The Chuan spa offers a range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments that can help combat fatigue. Acupuncture and cupping help to relieve muscle pains and restore the body’s natural balance. Alternatively, the ancient technique of Gua Sha involves scraping the skin with a jade comb and can help circulation and relieve muscle tension.
Price: TCM consultation and session HK$1250 (US$161), requires booking 24 hours in advance
Hotel Okura, Tokyo
Jet Lag Facilities
What's it like? As part of its Nature Program Zone, the hotel’s spa provides bright light therapy for jet lag. You sit in chairs and allow yourself to be bathed in bright light that is close to natural sunlight, helping to stabilise and boost your natural state and bring your body clock back to normal.
Price: Free for guests staying in Grand Comfort rooms or ¥4,200 (US$52) otherwise
www.okura.com
Nicholas Olczak