You have an hour before your next appointment, so how about a trip to the spa? Reggie Ho and Alex Andersson explore major business cities for short but worthwhile wellness treatments
Bangkok
Near Lumphini metro station and neighbouring many other luxury hotels, the Banyan Tree hotel is a popular place to stay. But even if you are booked in somewhere else, the spa here is worth a quick drop-by as the hotel brand is famous for its wellness offerings. Their relaxing foot massage (THB1,800/US$57) employs a pressure-point technique and lasts 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of calm time with refreshments. Email [email protected]
On the other side of Lumphini station, Four Seasons’ spa offers an “after-work de-stresser” (THB2,800/US$89) that starts with a floral foot bath and continues with a tension relief back massage, followed by a head and scalp massage – all in 45 minutes. Visit www.fourseasons.com/bangkok
Right in the middle of the Thai capital’s heaving Siam District, Novotel Bangkok Siam Square offers a piece of tranquillity with its Tammachart Day Spa, where a quick massage is only THB300 (US$10) for either the feet; hands, back, neck and shoulders; or a head reflexology massage, done in 30 minutes. What’s more, the facility is open from 10am to midnight. Check out www.novotelbkk.com
Hong Kong
Located on the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central District, The Mandarin Salon offers manicures, pedicures, beauty treatments, make-up and waxing services, all with a view of Victoria Harbour. It has recently launched a “Power Facial” (HK$850/US$109) using a bio-engineered skincare product line by Gaylia Kristensen from Australia that promises “results like Botox, without the Botox”. The treatment starts with a deep cleanse and exfoliation and progresses to a relaxing and firming lymphatic facial massage and a collagen eye mask. The 40-minute facial finishes with serums or creams to supposedly lock in hydration, lift and firm. Email [email protected]
There is no need to travel to Turkey for a hamam experience, as The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, also in Central, offers a 50-minute session for HK$600 (US$77). First relax in 42-45?C heat and 100 per cent humidity, then enjoy a loofah massage followed by a scrub while lying on a heated marble table. For men only. Check out www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark/spa
In the bustling neighbourhood of Mongkok, the Langham Place hotel feels like an oasis. Its Chuan Spa offers several 30-minute treatments that can fit comfortably into an hour, allowing some spare time for chilling out. The Velvet eye treatment (HK$575/US$74) consists of a calming pressure-point massage of the eye contour area and the application of a velvet-smooth collagen mask to rejuvenate tired eyes.
Or go for Chuan Yin and Yang (HK$500/US$64), a scrub blending fresh black and white sesame seeds, honey and lactic acid from milk to gently heal and renew skin. For 45 minutes you can go for moxibustion (HK$650/US$84), an ancient Chinese technique believed to help strengthen the blood and stimulate the flow of qi to maintain general health. A Chinese herb known as moxa is burned on an incense stick, which is used to heat up certain regions and acupuncture points to achieve the desired effect. This treatment is also offered at Langham Hotel in London for £120 (US$190). Visit www.chuanspa.com
Jakarta
If you happen to be doing business at the Central Park complex in West Jakarta, pop into Pullman Jakarta Central Park for their half-hour Vichy shower (Rp275,000/US$30), in which multiple water jets of varying temperature and pressure cleanse and massage you while you lie on a waterproof cushioned mat. Or go for the herbal ball compress (Rp250,000/US$27), also 30 minutes, that promises to address chronic problems such as back pain and tendinitis with heated pressing on your body. Ask the staff on the lobby level to escort you to the Fit and Spa Lounge floor, accessible only by key card. Visit www.pullmanhotels.com
Kuala Lumpur
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, right near the city’s most famous landmark Petronas Twin Towers, offers a 50-minute jet lag treatment (RM60/US$115) that involves a massage with aromatherapy oil, a free consultation and signature spa tea. Email [email protected]
London
In the charming Victorian structure of The Langham hotel in Westminster, is another Chuan Spa – creating an interesting juxtaposition. Many of the treatments are also decidedly Oriental: a 30-minute session of acupuncture (£120/US$190) can be had for overall wellbeing, instead of for specific symptoms. Ho guan, or cupping, is also doable in 30 minutes (at the same price), where a heated cup is applied to the skin – the suction is believed to have therapeutic effects and achieve pain relief. See www.chuanspa.com
San Francisco
Located across the street from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, at Mission Street and 3rd Street, the St Regis hotel Remède Spa offers a customised 30-minute bath for US$80. Your technician draws a bath incorporating minerals, essential oils, herbs and natural humectants such as neroli, juniper, oak milk and honey to create an aromatherapy experience. Or enjoy a four-hand massage for US$180, where two therapists simultaneously massage your muscles in a well-choreographed rhythmic motion. If you have 45 minutes, there is a range of manicure and pedicure treatments, including an anti-ageing manicure for US$45 that promises to reduce the appearance of sunspots on the hands. Visit www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis
Seoul
Located in JangChung-dong at the foot of Mount Namsan, Banyan Tree Spa is slightly off the beaten track but even if you factor in the taxi ride (about 10 minutes from downtown), it might still be worth it. It offers two treatments (100,000 won/US$85) that involve a 30-minute massage and another 30 minutes of refreshments and relaxation afterwards. One includes a back massage and the other an Oriental head massage. The latter involves application of pressure to special points on the head and neck, believed to unblock energy flow and provide overall relaxation and tension relief. Email [email protected]
Tokyo
From Monday to Thursday, The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in the Nihonbashi business district east of the Imperial Palace grounds, offers the “Taste of Spa” series with six different treatments that last from 35 to 50 minutes and range from massages to facials, some using “Quintessence” body oil blended with ginger, mandarin and frankincense. Facial treatments use Aromatherapy Associates products for quality assurance. The most suitable for a quick break from meetings is the 50-minute “Power Nap” (¥21,000/US$265), an oil-free massage using pressure-point techniques. A homemade orange juice is ready for you when you wake up. Email [email protected]
Tried and Tested: Inhalo Hong Kong
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Located in a modest office building on Wyndham Street in Central, with the entrance tucked away in an alleyway behind a restaurant, this facility has an unassuming reception area. The secret lies inside, however: three rooms designed like salt caves, one for children, with toys; one for groups, with six white-leather lounge chairs with food rests; and another with two seats, for couples. The texture of the walls resembles salt while the floor is carpeted with the real thing. But what you don’t see is in the air: a machine hidden behind one of the walls grinds a special salt from Epsom, a town in Surrey, England, and blows the fine particles into the atmosphere of the room. Customers are told to maintain natural breathing, letting the salt into the body for therapeutic effect.
HOUSE SPECIALITIES The salt, consisting of magnesium sulphate, is a natural disinfectant and breathing it in is believed to be good for the respiratory system. The story has it that the treatment was invented after people noticed that workers in the salt mines of Eastern Europe had no respiratory ailments. Each session is 50 minutes and as the room has to be completely blocked whenever a cycle is in progress, you must call in advance to ensure the facility’s available. You may top the experience off with a massage, but the masseur or masseuse has to be booked in advance.
THE EXPERIENCE The facility is kept in a pristine condition with air purifiers all around, and 10 minutes into the session, I could slowly feel the difference. I did feel relaxed, and the gentle humming of the machine was like a lullaby. I was told that some people might actually cough during the session, but that’s perhaps a detoxifying process. For me it was simply peaceful and nice, and I did feel that I could breathe more easily. The salt is also supposedly good for the skin – though it was impossible for me to tell in one session.
Reggie Ho
Fact File
PRICES First-timers can enjoy a trial session for HK$300 (US$39, group room) or HK$350 (US$45, couples room). The prices afterwards are HK$600/HK$675 (US$77/$87) per session. Discounts are offered when you purchase packages.
CONTACT W Place, 7/F, 52 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; tel +852 3489 3144; www.inhalospa.com
Verdict
Whether you are convinced or not, this is at least a good place for a quick nap away from the polluted air of Hong Kong.
Tried and Tested: Mu-lan Spa Hong Kong
WHAT’S IT LIKE? After pushing through the sweaty, suit-clad crowds in Central at peak commuting hours, stepping into Mu-lan Spa is like entering the eye of a typhoon. Located right on Duddell Street – just a stone’s throw from Lan Kwai Fong and the HSBC building – this small haven of relaxation is tailored to serve the busy business worker bees of the city centre.
Dimly lit and simply yet elegantly designed, the spa dissipates office-induced stress and tension upon first scent of the perfectly portioned incense in the air. Housed on the second floor of a nondescript building, the spa retains a certain level of anonymity. It has just 12 treatment rooms, 20 staff and a small, comfortable changing room with all the expected services and amenities, including a steam room.
HOUSE SPECIALITIES The majority of its treatments take under one hour, with many lasting only 45-55 minutes, complementing the “pop in” nature to which the spa’s location lends itself. You can rejuvenate yourself with a 45-minute express facial or relax and refresh yourself with a 30-minute lymphatic massage. Even the 55-minute aromatherapy massage seems to bear the businessman in mind, since your skin is left just lightly fragranced, rather than reeking of jasmine. The spa also offers beauty treatments as well as services specially designed to combat insomnia, headaches, fatigue and poor circulation.
THE EXPERIENCE Drinks, fluffy towels and consideration of privacy were consistently on offer by the friendly and attentive staff. The treatment rooms were comfortable, carefully lit and secluded enough to make me feel that I might be the only person in the facility. They were, however, not entirely soundproof from the urban jungle outside: the faint drill of heavy construction could be heard over the soft birdsong emerging from the speakers.
Alex Andersson
Fact File
PRICES A 45-minute express facial costs HK$480 (US$62), the 30-minute lymphatic massage is HK$500 (US$64) and the 55-minute aromatherapy massage is HK$760 (US$98).
CONTACT Mu-lan Spa, 2/F, Club Lustiano, Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong; tel +852 3102 0208; www.ilcolpo.com.hk/spa.php
Verdict
A tranquil and ambient shelter from the hectic, humid city streets, this spa is perfect for melting away the unwanted side effects of a metropolitan lifestyle.
