Feast for the senses Never one to hide its light under a bushel, the Six Senses luxury resort company has teamed up with Thai property developer the Erawan Group to create what it calls 'the premier destination spa of the 21st century', opening in December. The resort spa, named Six Senses Erawan, is located on the island of Naka Yai, 10 minutes by boat from Phuket. Its 'multi-day programmes' promise to 'transform guests' lifestyles through complete immersion in healthy and mindful living'. Chinese-, Indian-, Indonesian- and Thai-inspired treatments are at the core of what the spa has to offer. Chinese treatments include the physio-philosophy of jin shin jyutsu and traditional medicine. The Indian pavilion is the place to go for colonic therapy, energy healing and Ayurvedic treatments. A Thai massage school gives guests the opportunity to learn this traditional art while the Indonesian section features outdoor water therapies administered amid waterfalls. It also offers a watsu pool in a jungle setting for individuals and couples. Supporting the spa, Six Senses Erawan contains 68 pool villas (above) and suites. Every villa has ocean views that can be enjoyed from bed and private sala. Villas also have a personal sauna and an oversized bathroom that extends into a garden. And as you might expect, guests will enjoy the freshest and healthiest cuisine, combining seafood with organically grown produce. See www.sixsenses.com/sixsenses-erawan/index.php for more details. Opening up Saudi Arabia is opening its doors a little to tourism. Although the Saudi government apparently remains apprehensive about mass tourism - considering its position as guardian of Islam's two holiest sites - more measures are being introduced to allow tourists to visit the kingdom. The government is issuing 60-day group visas for foreign tourists through licensed tour operators; each group must contain a minimum number of five visitors. Women should note that unless they are travelling with what Saudi authorities call 'close relatives' they must be at least 30 years old. Currently, 18 licensed operators are taking foreigners on tourist visas into the secretive country. See www.traveldocs.com/sa/index.htm . 'Tis the season The Mandarin Oriental group's worldwide offer Seasonal Choices aims to provide travellers with luxury accommodation and breakfast at competitive rates throughout the week. Until September 30, Seasonal Choices will be available at all Mandarin Oriental hotels and resorts. Properties include the group's newest hotel, housed in a converted 14th-century monastery in Prague; the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand, spread across 24 peaceful hectares of the ancient Lanna kingdom; and the Tokyo establishment (below), which dominates Nihonbashi and presents guests with sensational city views. Included in the offer are single and double occupancy at the same rate, late checkout and a complimentary extra bed for a child under 12. Blackout periods apply at some hotels; the entire range of Seasonal Choices rates can be viewed at www.mandarinoriental.com . Deal of the week Vietnam's latest purveyor of five-star swankiness, the Nam Hai, is offering a summer package until the end of next month. For every five nights booked, guests will be eligible for a poolvilla upgrade, subject to availability, and one night free for every six nights booked. With both incentives come round-trip airport transfers by limousine, a personal butler, breakfast, laundry service and limousine rides to local areas of interest. The nightly package price begins at US$550 a villa, based on two people sharing. The Nam Hai sits on the celebrated China Beach (above), near the ancient central Vietnamese trading port of Hoi An. An all-villa resort, it features 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas ranging from one to five bedrooms, each with unobstructed ocean views. Each villa has its own infinity swimming pool. A beachside restaurant, a tropical spa beside a lagoon, three beachfront pools and an 18-hole golf course set to open this year are among the amenities. See www.thenamhai.com .