Things can get a bit spicy at the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Indigenous herbs and spices are used to make the oils characteristic of urut melayu (Malaysian massage), with its buka urat (strokes that push blood in the direction of the heart to invigorate) and tutup urat (reverse strokes to calm).

In the Bulan Madu treatment, a cinnamon body brushing gently exfoliates before a wrap of boreh spice – a traditional Balinese healing mixture of ginger, clove and nutmeg said to relieve sore joints and muscles. A herbal bath is followed by either a deep tissue massage or urut melayu, with a tranquil cup of elixir to finish.

For spa aficionados wanting to sample the Spa’s entire menu, the Resort’s Beach Villas are the premier choice: each has its own private treatment room with twin massage tables overlooking gardens, beach and the sea.