By Navitas Spa & SportsPublished: 25 August 20261 min read
At a glance
After a long-haul flight, the massages that help most are those with heat and length: the Hot Stone Massage for a stiff back and cold feet, the Balinese Massage for heavy legs and hips, and the Aromatherapy Massage — or the Jet Lag Recovery package — when the main problem is sleep. Have it the afternoon you land, drink water, and keep the nap afterwards short.
Why heat
Muscles that have been held still for twelve hours are not so much tight as cold and unmoving. Warmth — hot stones, the hammam marble, a warm room — restores circulation before any pressure is applied, which is why hot stone and Balinese (performed in a warm room with warm oil) feel better after a flight than deep tissue does.
Choose by complaint
| Complaint | Massage |
|---|---|
| Stiff back, cold feet | Hot Stone, 50 or 90 min |
| Heavy legs, tight hips | Balinese, 50 or 90 min |
| Cannot sleep, foggy head | Aromatherapy, or Jet Lag Recovery (80 min) |
| Dull, dry skin as well | Scrub & Foam Ritual first, then a massage — the Diamond Package |
When
Late afternoon after an eastbound flight, so that you sleep at local bedtime; morning after a westbound flight, with a reviving oil blend. Give yourself an hour of daylight afterwards and no more than a twenty-minute nap.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait a day?
No — the sooner the better. The afternoon you land is the best time.
Is the sauna a good idea after a long flight?
A short round with a cool shower and water, yes; a long one when dehydrated, no.
Recommended treatments
Hot Stone Massage
Heated volcanic stones that melt deep stiffness
Aromatherapy Massage
Essential oils you choose, restful strokes, mind and body together
Jet Lag Recovery
Aromatherapy massage, scalp massage and an eye mask — 80 minutes