From a spa standpoint, India is synonymous with Ayurveda, a system of medicine thousands of years old. Strictly Ayurvedic spas in India call for following a rigorous treatment regimen and a monastic lifestyle for two to three weeks. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Taj Lake Palace, a former royal residence on a 4-acre island in the middle of Lake Pichola. For some travelers, the resort might be that once-in-a-lifetime destination they aspire to visit – even just for one night – no matter the cost. Rich, colorful silks and elaborate frescoes of Rajasthani nobility adorn the opulent Jiva Spa. Ayurveda inspires the ingredients and treatments, but the execution veers toward sybaritic splendor. The Mewar Khas, a scrub and massage modeled after bygone regal wedding preparations, provides a majestic start. Like Indian cuisine, Lake Palace’s treatments involve a mind-boggling variety of ingredients – kewda, mustard oil, sandalwood, frankincense, turmeric, and so on. One wrap relies on 22 different local herbs. To truly feel aristocratic, take advantage of the new spa boat, an ornate vessel modeled after traditional ceremonial barges. Onboard find a double spa suite, a steam shower, an on-deck dining area, and a hot tub for two – strewn with rose petals, naturally. www.tajhotels.com