As soon as I arrived at IASO Medi Spa and made my way into the overwater sanctuary with its six treatment rooms, I felt instantly at ease. Although, let’s be honest, I’d experienced precisely zero stress over the previous few days. Is it even possible to be stressed at Heritance Aarah?

That said, after enduring the long-haul flight to get to the Maldives, my shoulders were certainly making a strong case for a great massage.


Set over the turquoise lagoon, IASO Medi Spa is the sort of place where the concept of relaxation begins before the treatment itself. There’s something about being surrounded by nothing but water, sky and the gentle rhythm of the ocean that makes switching off feel almost compulsory.

By the time my Maldivian massage was over, I’m fairly sure I might actually have floated out of the treatment room to the relaxation area. I settled down with a cup of herbal tea and stared out across the horizon, happy to be doing absolutely nothing.

I noticed two other guests emerged from their treatment rooms in the same blissful post-treatment haze. Nobody seemed particularly keen to speak. We were all far too relaxed to try to engage in small talk.



Named after the Greek goddess of recovery and recuperation, IASO Medi Spa is beautiful, serene and genuinely restorative, but what stayed with me most was the feeling. I arrived relaxed, but I left feeling completely switched off. Back in my overwater suite, with the ocean stretching endlessly in front of me, I found myself wondering if I could justify another treatment tomorrow? (Answer: Yes!)

What makes IASO Medi Spa particularly interesting, however, is the combination of established spa rituals with a more modern, personalised approach to wellbeing. A spa treatment isn’t just a nice ritual during a holiday, but each treatment has a vital part to play in every guest’s overall wellbeing. 

Rather than just simply letting you chose a ‘nice’ treatment, there is an emphasis on understanding what you might generally need. 

Guests can take part in a 30-minute wellness consultation and personalised face scan, which I found surprisingly useful. The scan provided a fascinating starting point for the conversation, while the therapist offered practical advice tailored to my results and overall wellbeing and rejuvenation. 

And, unlike some holiday wellness advice that gets forgotten somewhere between the airport lounge and baggage reclaim, the knowledge actually stayed with me and I’ve implemented some of the recommendations since returning home.

Wellbeing treatments available are extensive and diverse, cementing Heritance Aarah as one of the leading destinations for contemporary wellbeing in the Maldives. The spa menu includes revitalising body treatments, medical grade treatments, weight loss advice, Ayurvedic treatments and healing meditation and sound baths as well as salon treatments for guests needing a pedicure colour change or even hair styling and cuts for those in need for a dramatic new look.

Bespoke 3 and 5 day packages are also available for the ultimate relaxing and restorative experiences.

Sarah Bryans 01/09/26