Pearls of the South Pacific
November 1, 2009 By: Heather Mikesell American SpaIsland-hopping spa-goers will leave the outside world behind with a visit to two South Pacific spas that give new meaning to the idea of Polynesian pampering.
Inspiring artists and writers throughout the years, French Polynesia is a virtual paradise found with its enchanting islands, enticing turquoise waters, and balmy breezes fragranced with the sweet scent of bougainvillea, gardenias, and a bouquet of other tropical blossoms. From Paul Gauguin to Robert Louis Stevenson to James Michener, these South Pacific islands have long beckoned creative souls with a taste for adventure and stirred the emotions of all those who visit. Today, that sense of romance is alive and well and continues to captivate couples flocking to French Polynesia's idyllic islands. In addition to the stunning setting, intoxicating tales, and inviting overwater bungalows, visitors will also find a wealth of healing traditions that date back to ancient days. Two Pearl Resort spas are giving guests an experience to remember by combining those traditions with a bit of island indulgence.
 Bora Bora's stunning lagoon proves to be the biggest competition when it comes to keeping guests from the spa. |
The Blue Lagoon
There is certainly something to be said for a place that requires a boat to get to and from the airport. When that place is Bora Bora, there is no shortage of adjectives to describe the island's many attributes. Its reputation alone was enough to convince the husband-and-wife team of Anthony and Kamala Nayeli to forego an opportunity to manage a spa in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a chance to develop a new one in this island paradise.
 Manea Spa in Bora Bora features an open-air design that embraces its lush surroundings. |
It was while the couple was working at Canyon Ranch SpaClub on the Queen Mary 2 that their paths first crossed with Laurent Bessou, president of South Pacific Management, which owns and operates Pearl Resorts & Spa. Tired of the standard massage and body treatments found at most spas, Bessou approached Anthony, who was working the front desk at the time, and explained that he was interested in experiencing something different. After confirming that he really was up for anything, Anthony booked him for a Watsu treatment with Kamala for the following day.
 An outdoor Vichy shower helps spa-goers take advantage of the tropical locale. |
It was that treatment that put Anthony and Kamala on the short list of contenders to develop a new spa brand for Pearl Resorts. "We believe Mr. Bessou was looking to bring something extraordinary to his hotels and spas in French Polynesia," says Anthony. "With our combined background and experience in health and wellness, he recognized the opportunity to develop the Manea Spa brand as the first of its kind to offer such unique services." According to Anthony, Bessou's first Watsu experience left him considering the idea of an aquatic massage performed in a lagoon setting. "Since that time, we've noticed some similarities to the lifestyle of living on the ship and living in Bora Bora—to a certain degree they're both living in the middle of the ocean," says Kamala. "That's not a lifestyle that everyone can sustain, so maybe our shipboard experience suggested a certain adaptability that we shared."
 Plants are also grown in the spa to help bring the outdoors in. |
Although the brand had been established for a couple of years, it wasn't until nearly a year after that auspicious meeting that Bessou contacted the couple with the proposition of opening the Bora Bora spa. They were two weeks away from moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands when they got the invitation to visit, and it wasn't long after that that they heard the island's siren call. While the destination itself was certainly a draw, so too, was the opportunity to bring the spa to life.
 A double massage treatment room encourages couples to spa together. |
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