• Day Spa – It offers spa treatments on a day-use basis. Places like 128 Faubourg, Salon by Sothys at the Pavilion KL, offer facial treatments and a signature massage that will alleviate stress from skin to make it highly receptive to treatment.

• Destination Spa – helps you lead a healthier lifestyle through a series of treatments, exercise, and educational programmes over a course of at least two nights. Some having a longer duration of three or seven nights. Even the cuisine served is exclusively selected for the purpose.

• Resort/Hotel Spa – located within a resort or hotel. It offers spa services, fitness classes and outdoor Jacuzzi or hot spring baths. It’s a good choice when one person wants spa and the other golf or scuba diving. It also works for business travellers and families.

• Airport Spa It is located in an airport and specializes in short treatments aimed at the traveller, like 15-minute chair massage and oxygen therapy. Some also offer longer treatments.

• Medical Spa – offers treatments that require a doctor’s supervision, such as laser removal of blemishes and Botox injections. It also offers other spa treatments.

• Mineral Springs Spa – has natural mineral, thermal or seawater that is used in hydrotherapy treatments.

• Club Spa – usually located in a fitness facility or health club providing overall wellness.

• Cruise Ship Spa – as its name suggest, is onboard a cruise ship that provides spa treatments, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.

• Fish Spa – a spa using Garra Ruffa fishes to nibble away on the skin and treat psoriasis sufferers to alleviate layers of dead cells. It’s usually combined with massage and other treatment such as reflexology. A popular fish spa in Pavilion is a remarkable place for you to get nibbled and kneaded by their team of trained masseuse. Offering head, shoulder and back massage to complement the fish therapy, you will leave with a great feeling after a session.

First-rate luxurious spa treatments delivered in a serene setting are the very heart of a quality spa experience. The most popular spa treatments, including massage, facials and body treatments lie in the hands of those who knead you. A massage feels good and has lots of health benefits, from improving muscle fatigue to eliminating stress, two very good reasons to make it the most popular service at a spa. Having many different styles of massage, you would need to have a basic idea what each type entails, including why it’s good for you, which type will best meet your needs, and how to get the most from your massage.

• Massage improves blood circulation, while delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cells to revitalise your organs.

• Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which transports the body’s waste products more efficiently.

• Massage prevents and relieve muscles of cramps and spasms.

• Massage therapy can also help with pain management in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and muscle spasms.

Reflexology is the skill of enervating over 7000 nerves on the feet, believed by reflexology practitioners to correspond to every muscle system or organ in the body. A non-invasive procedure that focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, it differs from massage in that it pushes on pressure points on the soles of the feet to elicit an autonomic nervous system response or reflex. The nervous system helps trigger the brain to stimulate a response to the area for the body to begin to heal.

Body treatments can range from mud wraps to exfoliation scrubs to deal with your body’s skin. The most common types of body treatments are body polishes and body wraps. These treatment can be used to treat cellulite or just to improve overall skin condition and blood circulation. It sometimes has a diuretic effect that aids in temporary weight reduction.

If you’re slathered with mud, algae, or seaweed and wrapped in a thermal blanket, it’s a “detoxifying” treatment that stimulates your metabolic system, speeding its ability to carry away waste products. If used with cream or lotion, it’s a “hydrating” treatment.

A good complement to the spa experience is to have a facial done with the full works of cleansing, exfoliation, toning, treatment mask and moisturising. Depending on what facial you choose, the product you use should be suitable for your skin type to minimise the chances of an outbreak afterwards. If in doubt, bring your own moisturiser for the final step for your skin.

In as much as spas are good for relaxation, a good therapist is crucial to adding to that experience. Remember the name of the person who has served you and make your reservations in advance to ensure the same service the next time you return. A good spa is all about getting that personalised touch from top to toe.

What You Get In A Spa – Part 2 by pummkin is a post from: PYObuddy.com

The definition of a spa is a commercial establishment offering health and beauty treatment through steam baths, exercise equipment, massage by professionally administered masseuse, facials and body treatments in a quiet, serene ambience. Spa treatments are the services that a spa provides.

You need to figure out what kind of service and experience you want, and find the place that suits you. Outlining the basic functions of a spa, you can decide whether you want the whole works or just a body massage to sooth your aches away.

Day spas range from homespun spas in converted bungalows to lavish multi-million dollar facilities in resorts or complexes.

A spa should offer a relaxing environment, robe and slippers, soothing music, and high quality spa treatments.

No one regulates the use of the word “spa.” You need to ask the right questions to ascertain for yourself whether the establishment concerned offers the standard services or not. Just drop in and ask for a quick tour before you book an appointment to avoid getting short-changed.

There are many different types of spas. Do your research to make sure the personnel has the relevant training to give you the experience that you want such as a Thai or Japanese Shiatsu massage. Untrained hands may leave you with undesirable effects of aches and pains later.

Next, what to look for in a spa….

What You Get In A Spa – Part 1 by pummkin is a post from: PYObuddy.com

For Part 1, please go to http://www.pyobuddy.com/2009/12/travel-safe-%e2%80%93-a-street-smart-guide-to-have-a-sound-trip-part-1.html

During Travel

• At the airport, have your laptop bag placed on your lap and not in between your feet. If you have to, loop the strap around your leg. Syndicates work to distract you then steal.

• Make sure the person in front of you has cleared the detector before you put anything on the conveyor belt. You must delay putting your luggage and laptop on the conveyor belt until you’re sure you’ll be the next person through the metal detector. And, as you move through the detector, keep your eyes on the conveyor belt and watch for your luggage and laptop to come through at the other end, while keeping a your eye on what those in front of you are picking up.

• Always bargain the price of a taxi before entering it, even if it has a meter. Always use taxis that are recommended and referred by the hotel you are staying. Be wary of taxis you hail on the street. If you are in the airport, always use the appointed Airport transfer counter to get one with a list of fixed rates such as the Airport Limo (M) Sdn Bhd at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to avoid being fleeced by touts. See the table in the following page.

• Establish with your hotel to give you the name of the person in charge to pick you up. Do not get into any vehicle if the name of the person is different from the intended person. You could be charged with a hefty sum by unscrupulous cheats.

• You may take the KLIA Ekspres, a high speed train instead from KLIA directly to KL city centre (or vice versa) in only 28 minutes and from there, a taxi to your desired location.

• Stay close to your valuables when passing through airport security.

• If you are a single woman on the move, never admit that you are travelling alone. Always say you are meeting your spouse on the flight or at the destination you are going to. Even as you check into hotels, it would be defensive to check in as Mr. and Mrs. to deter unwanted advances.

• If you have important documents or papers, carry them with you; NEVER check in anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.

• Look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. Find out if there’s valet parking and if it will be available when you need it. Use it, even if it costs a little bit more.

• There should be privacy for guests checking in: no one should be able to overhear a name, room number, or other personal information.

• Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, not mentioned aloud or inscribed on the key–this way, anyone finding your key won’t have access to your room.

• Never hesitate to have a hotel personnel escort you to your room.

• Couples travelling together should pack half of their belongings in each other’s bag. In case of missing luggage, both your clothes are still accessible in the remaining bag.

• Upon checking into your room, familiarise yourself with the fire escape plan usually stuck on the door. It pays to know where the nearest fire exits are.

• Leaving the ‘Please Make Up My Room’ sign at the door is an indication of an empty room. The do not disturb sign can make the room seem occupied (especially handy if you leave expensive items inside).

• Check the bills and write the total amount before you sign and return the slip. Phantom amounts has been known to be included in the ‘tips’ section above the total.

• When walking into a lift alone and someone suspicious unexpectedly comes in with you, press any floor other than the floor you are staying on. This decoy method is to prevent anyone from knowing which room you are staying in. Press the alarm if needed. If in doubt, get out before the door closes.

• If you place your carry-on bag on the floor when sitting in a restaurant or other public area, put your foot through the strap; don’t leave it loose.

• In a taxi, pay the driver while you are still inside to get your rightful change. If travelling with your partner, make sure the male is the first to get in and last to get out. Have the driver leave his driver’s seat to remove your luggage from the boot before you get out of the car.

• Use a security cable to lock your laptop to a fixed object in the hotel. If you wouldn’t leave your wallet exposed in the room, why would you leave RM5,000 unlocked?

These are only guidelines to a safer travel. There are no guarantees that you will not be a possible target when you are a tourist anywhere in the world but the more you prepare defensively, the less likely you will suffer the effects of crime. What you apply to prevent being fleeced as a tourist will be useful in your preparation for your future trips.

Travel Safe – Part 2 by pummkin is a post from: PYObuddy.com

As much as we would like to have a safe and fuss-free travel, not every situation is preventable no matter how careful you are. So prevention is always better than cure. What this guide was designed to do is to give you a precautionary measure before and during your travel. You may think that misfortune only happens to somebody else; but to others, you are somebody else!

Before Travel

• Scan all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents, front and back and inside front cover and stored online in your email for easy retrieval should you lose them and need to produce verification.

• Jewellery and luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip. If you don’t need them, it is better to NOT bring them.

• Get your cash from the ATM and change your currencies a day earlier and as you wouldn’t want to be a target on the move.

• Keep your cash in separate places, in your wallet for easy access and in a travel sling wallet on your neck or a secret compartment in your belt.

• Pack medical prescription plus first aid in a kit & some in your hand carry luggage. You’ll never know when you may need an antacid, paracetamol or anti-histamines.

• Carry a small LED torch with you. These are super bright and battery lasts for much longer on a set of batteries than those with conventional bulb. Can be handy when there is a blackout or when you get stuck in a lift or end up in somewhere dark. Anything that has 150 lumens (brightness) and above will be good. Sometimes you may want to check out if there are stalkers around the corner while you do a short surveillance with the long range torch.

• Have a GPS with you and learn how to use it prior to travel. Purchase maps of the country/place you are visiting and install them before you leave. It would give you an idea how far you are from your intended destination.

• Get a directory of breakdown service, in case your car breaks down.

…..to be continued in Part 2.

Pictures were taken in Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Travel Safe – Part 1 by pummkin is a post from: PYObuddy.com

Suspended in the sky on the 63rd floor of The Dome at State Tower, I was taken to the Skybar at Sirocco, one of the world’s highest open air bars that looks as if it would literally drop to oblivion if it wasn’t for the glass fencing. It seemed like forever to get up there in the lift but what I saw, blew my mind away. A band dressed in crisp, white suits with the leading lady in a long, flowy white dress, greeted me with a song that she crooned in the most melodious voice. I swooned even before I knew where I was.

Standing at the top of the staircase, I was gapping in awe at the panoramic view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river. With such an enthralling ambience coupled with a seductive selection of the finest vintages, beverages, cocktails and appetizers in Bangkok, the Skybar soars as one of the prized destinations in the city. We walked down the stairs like a prince walking his princess into a ball. No wonder, the rooftop bar is unanimously accepted as the coolest bar in Bangkok. The wind at that height was strong, swaying me as I stood by the bar. My date held onto me to prevent me from tipping over and the stunning, multi-hued Skybar turned my seconds into timeless moments….

Don’t know where to stay? PYO Travel has many types of accommodation to suit the occasion & with our great deal of Buy 1 Free 1 Promotion launched yesterday, many lucky couples who managed to grab the limited seats will get a chance to experience the moment for that spectacular view up at the Skybar, The Dome.

Christmas is around the corner, why wait any longer? Surprise your partner by booking him/her into a romantic getaway that he/she can’t refuse….

Have you been to the Skybar? Tell me if you have had similar experience!

If you don’t want to miss a chance to be the first to book the next time we have a fantastic deal, sign up for our updates.

My Love Affair In Bangkok….1 On 1 is a post from: PYObuddy.com

After much deliberation, we have finally chosen a winner for the 2 night’s Free stay.  We would once again, like to thank all of you for the wonderful feedback and comments

As our contest was running on all our websites, we have picked a winner from Taiwan, and here’s the link and entry:

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com

For all of you who has participated, we would once again say THANK YOU. Do keep a look out for that surprise gift that we would be emailing over your way ..

And the winner is…. is a post from: PYObuddy.com

We would be announcing the chosen winner on the 15th of October 2009. So do stay tune.

As for all of those whom has dropped a comment, we would also be giving you a special something, as a token of appreciation. We would be contacting you via e-mail very soon, so do check your emails.

Once again, Thank you for giving us your words of wisdom and also for supporting us all this time. We do hope you’ll continue to support us and continue to Book with us.

A great BIG “THANK YOU” is a post from: PYObuddy.com

We at PYOTravel value all of you, our customers and our supports. And we would like to thank you all for the support that you have given us for the past few years, to put us where we are. Because of that we  would want to reward you and also would like to let all of you know that we appreciate you.

To be in the running to win the 2 night hotel stay, all you have to do is leave a comment here on how you think PYOTravel is doing and what are the improvements that you would like to see on PYOTravel. If you have booked with us, let us know your feedbacks and also your comments.

The closing date and time for your final comments are on Friday, 9th October 2009, 7pm

We are giving away a 2 night Hotel stay, FREE! is a post from: PYObuddy.com

The gateway to Paradise

I flew into Singapore and took the cab to Singapore’s harbourfront center. Honestly, i must say that the transportation system in Singapore is excellent. At the Harbourfront Center, you can take the Tram into Sentosa Island, or take one of the designated buses into the island. As I was staying @ Shangrila Rasa Sentosa Resort, they actually provide you with a private bus service that takes you all the way to the hotel lobby.

Shang-rila's Rasa Sentosa Resort

Sentosa Island is certainly a wonderful place to be. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to unwind and relax, Sentosa provides it all. J There are so many activities that you can do there. You can visit the underwater world, the wax museum at Fort Siloso or go bar hopping at all the wonderful bars you get on the beach. You can ride on the Luge, rent a bicycle and move around the island.

What impress me the most, was how everything was. The flow of the island was so…. Relaxing….. and i guess my timing to travel to sentosa Island was right on the dot. As there was the “Jazz on the beach” event happening every Saturday on Siloso beach. You get to unwind and enjoy the sights and the sounds.

Sunsetting on a beautiful Island

Seriously, Singapore is quite a fine place to be. I’m planning another trip to Sentosa Island in December as I type this. There’s so much things to see and do. Maybe the next time I’m there I’ll try out the trapeze that they have there. What about you? Have you been to Sentosa Island?

The Virgin Trip is a post from: PYObuddy.com

We are proud to announce the winner of  PYOTravel’s blogger contest is…

MR. NIGEL SIA. and here’s his winning entry

we will be emailing you shortly to let you in on the details. For the rest of you peeps, do hang out here more often, as we are always up to something.

And the winner goes to… is a post from: PYObuddy.com