Elemis Travel Spa, JFK This spa at the British Airways Terraces lounge at JFK's Terminal 7 gets consistently good feedback. Therapists are caring and service-orientated, and a calming ambiance prevails. There are four treatment rooms, a 'spa bar' and a relaxation area. Both business and first class passengers can choose from a range of 15-minute complimentary treatments that target the back, feet, hands and arms or face. The Stress-Away Shoulder to Scalp is a particularly fantastic way to start a flight. Every treatment features an 'ice cool thermal massage' technique combining hot stone therapy with the use of a cooling gel to revive and reinvigorate, and you'll be offered a choice of lime, lavender or rosewood oils. For a peaceful break, enjoy a session in the Intelligent Massage Chair (www.britishairways.com/travel/lounges).
Six Senses, Abu Dhabi Airport Etihad Airways' Premier Lounges at Abu Dhabi Airport's terminals 1 and 3 have teamed up with the exceptional Six Senses to offer an effective range of complimentary 15-minute treatments to revive and restore travellers between or before flights. There's no need to book - you just put your name down on arrival and they'll find you a slot. All treatments are done fully clothed, though there are showers if you need one. The Signature treatment is the Face Relief, a massage using gemstones to relieve tension and smooth out lines. Other treatments concentrate on the head, feet, hands and back, for which the firm-handed therapists are consistently good. Or go for The Realignment, which features deep yogic stretches and energizing massage for the whole body to release energy blocks and ease out knots (www.sixsenses.com)
Sofitel Heathrow The spa at the elegant Sofitel is a five minute walk under a covered walkway from Heathrow Terminal 5. Its stylish spa features a Hydro Suite with a vitality pool to ease knotted muscles, and in a soothingly-lit separate area, a large hot sauna and a steam room with fibre optic ceiling lights. Impressive ESPA treatments tailored to travellers include masses of nourishing and re-hydrating facials, a regenerating eye treatment using products with seaweed and green tea, and an excellent jet lag massage for which strokes and aromatherapy oils are tailored to your condition (from £42 for a 25 min head massage). The hotel also offers a gym open 24 hours, healthy meals at restaurant Vivre, an indoor Zen garden to help soothe busy heads and stress-free parking facilities (www.sofitel.com; 0044 208 757 7742).
Payot Paris Day Spa, Sydney The exceptional white marble-and-leather Qantas First lounge on level 4 of Sydney airport successfully puts the romance back into travel. Its low-lit spa is suitably chic, with a cool, calming atmosphere fragrant with essential oils and sympathetic therapists in smart white dresses. There are three treatment rooms and two relaxation rooms, each with live vertical gardens covering their walls selected by tropical botanist Patrick Blanc - the room with plants covering three walls is the best. Choose energizing and hydrating facials, wraps and massages using Dr Nadia Payot's beauty products from Paris - the Express Energising Facial comes especially recommended for its rejuvenating face, head and neck massage and rehydrating mask. All is complimentary for First Class passengers (www.qantas.com).
Om Spa Hong Kong The comfortable, Thai-inspired Om Spa is at the Regal Airport Hotel on the 3rd floor of the Regal Airport Hotel, a two-minute walk through a covered and air-conditioned linkbridge from the airport terminal building. Enjoy an outdoor Jacuzzi and a mosaic-clad steam room, or check into one of the two wonderfully spacious spa suites which have private Jacuzzis and rain showers. There are lots of other spa rooms on offer, so that after your massage all you have to do is ease yourself into bed. Treatments include body scrubs, herbal wraps, facials and a range of fresh water baths as well as body massage, all using organic and hand-blended oils and products from Lemongrass House in Phuket. From $38 (Dh138) for a massage, with a 30 per cent discount for hotel guests (www.regalhotel.com; 00852 2890 6060).
Premium Terminal - Qatar Airways, Doha International Airport, Qatar Available for First Class passengers, the spa at Qatar Airways' impressive Premium Terminal is suitably pampering. Stylish and contemporary male and female facilities include a mosaic-tiled jacuzzi, which is softly lit with candles and mood lighting, as well as a traditional sauna. Relax in a white toweling robe after a sweat and a soak and choose from a range of stress-busting treatments, which include anti-aging facials, head and scalp therapy and deep tissue massage. Afterwards, you can go to sleep on a comfortable bed dressed with Italian Frette linen. The lounge offers a medical centre should you need it, and other services to ensure you stay stress-free, including a supervised nursery, a dining area with calming water features and a concierge (www.qatarairways.com).
