Spa Wars

Relaxation usually means escaping the crowds — but don't tell that to the operators of the jumbo-sized spas that have recently become popular in Asia. Tokyo's five-story, 10,000-sq-m Spa LaQua, tel: (81-3) 5800 9999, crams some 65,000 guests a month into its hot-spring baths, pools (pictured), saunas, massage rooms and restaurants. In Seoul, the popular Sports Club Seoul Leisure, tel: (82-2) 404 7000, uses an extraordinary range of facilities as its lure: its 10 floors feature themed saunas, oxygen rooms, a golf practice range, a movie theater and a karaoke room.

In Shenzhen, the gaudy Queen Spa...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!