Because a visit to the spa is the perfect way to prepare yourself for the madness to come!
Spa treats shouldn’t just be for Christmas, but at this time of year it feels like they’re more necessary than ever. The lead up to the holiday season is always so hectic, it’s nice to be able to turn your phone off and escape from the real world for an hour or two! So if you are in need of some time out (or gentlemen, if you’re looking for ideas for your wife this Christmas) here are ten spa treats we believe are worth indulging in. Your mind and body will thank you!
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1. The Peninsula Spa
The Peninsula Spa is every bit as classy as you would expect from “The Grand Dame of the Far East,” and now it’s offering signature treatments by Margy’s Monte Carlo which aren’t to be missed. The 90-minute Stem Cell Revitalising Facial ($3,500) is the perfect Christmas present to yourself, or get your other half to buy you a voucher for some brownie points. This incredibly luxurious treatment includes not one, but three, blissful facial massages, as well as two masks. And don’t forget about the scalp, neck and shoulder massage that is sure to return your zen, no matter how frazzled you feel. Trust us, you’ll never want to leave!
The Peninsula Spa, 7/F, The Peninsula, Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2696 6682, [email protected], www.peninsula.com
2. The Mandarin Spa
We could easily cocoon ourselves in The Mandarin Spa for days. But as that’s not realistic, we’ll settle for its one-hour Eve Lom facial ($1,520 – $1,730) instead. We are huge fans of Eve Lom products anyway (especially her cult cleanser) and think this deep cleansing treatment is worth every penny. A paraffin wax mask is used to open up the pores to perform some extraction and you’ll also get a chest, back, arm and facial massage as part of the whole experience. By the end of it, your skin will be more than ready to withstand the excesses of December. If you really want to splurge, you can upgrade to the 90-minute facial ($2,150 – $2,360).
The Mandarin Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4888, [email protected], www.mandarin-oriental.com/hong-kong
3. elu. Spa
elu. may be a relatively new addition to the spa scene in Hong Kong but it’s already won itself lots of loyal devotees, not least because of its 60-minute Signature Gemstone Facial ($1,600). It consists of a thorough cleanse and exfoliation, before your skin is massaged with a hot jade stone and lathered in serum. Then a gemstone mask (chosen to suit your skin type) will be placed on your face, before the whole experience is finished with a hydrating moisturiser. The stones are used to help increase lymphatic drainage in the face so your complexion will look smoother and more radiant. Perfect for when you need a pick-me-up during the festive period.
elu. Spa, 7/F, Oriental Crystal Commercial Building, 46 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 2668 1381, [email protected], www.eluspa.com
4. Bliss Spa
If you’re short on time but want visible results, try out the Oxygen Blast facial ($895) at W Hong Kong’s Bliss Spa. It might be just 30-minutes long, but it certainly packs a punch. In that time you’ll have a fruit acid peel, antioxidant vitamin massage, hydrating enzyme pack and an oxygen spray. Your skin will look instantly brighter! Access to the harbour view vitality pool, dry sauna and aroma steam room is included in the cost of your treatment, so make sure you take advantage of this perk too.
Bliss Spa, 72/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3717 2797, [email protected], www.marriott.com
5. AMOOMA
AMOOMA has two locations in Hong Kong, one in Wan Chai and one in Causeway Bay, and it’s the 90-minute Drain & Detox ($980) on offer at its Wan Chai spa that we think is perfect this party season. That’s because it uses aromatherapy techniques to drain toxins from your lymphatic system, to help naturally detoxify your body and release any water retention. It’s ideal for when you’ve had a heavy few weeks of socialising and need to recharge and refresh before the extended family arrives for Christmas.
AMOOMA, G/F, 14 Sik On Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2111 3535, [email protected], www.amooma.hk
6. THANN Sanctuary Spa
You won’t regret booking in for THANN’s 90-minute Healing Stone Body Massage ($1,480) when you need some pre-Christmas, head-to-toe TLC. Healing crystals will be placed on the chakras from the crown of your head to the base of your spine, while hot stones are used to melt away the stresses and strains of everyday life. You can choose which essential oil blend is used during this holistic massage (including stimulating, sensual, clarifying and relaxing) to further personalise your experience.
THANN Sanctuary Spa, Room 1010-11, 10/F, World Commerce Centre, Harbour City, 11 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 3689 4391, www.thannsanctuary.com.hk
7. Sense of Touch
There are plenty of relaxing treatments on offer at Sense of Touch spas across Hong Kong, but it’s the bath, scrub and massage ($1,780) at its salon in Central that we’ll be indulging in this December. Think two hours of pure bliss, with no fear of the little ones barging in demanding your attention halfway through! The “For Heaven’s Sake” includes a soak in a hot sake bath, as well as a rice scrub and 60-minute lymphatic drainage massage. It’s ideal to increase energy levels before the festive season and is also great for boosting your immune system. After all, no-one wants a pesky cold to strike during the busiest time of the year!
Sense of Touch, Central Spa, 1/F – 5/F, 52 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, 2526 6918, www.senseoftouch.com.hk
8. The Nail Bar at the Four Seasons
Stepping into the Four Seasons is always a treat and The Nail Bar in its spa is a great way to unwind. Go for its 75-minute Perfect Pedicure ($900-$980) and prepare to step out feeling like a new person. Let the therapists get to work while you gaze at the stunning view of Victoria Harbour from your front-row seat. There’s a huge selection of polish to choose from, so you can guarantee your toes will be ready for every pair of strappy sandals you intend to wear over the party season. Even better, book in with one of your mum squad and treat yourselves to a cocktail in The Blue Bar afterwards!
The Nail Bar, Four Seasons, Hong Kong, 3/F, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3196 8900, www.fourseasons.com/hongkong
9. Lush Spa
The Spell at Lush Spa is guaranteed to leave you feeling like you’re walking on air, no matter what the day or week has flung at you. It’s a 60-minute treatment ($900) that includes a restorative reflexology foot massage and a scalp massage using hot stones (full disclosure: this may induce a blissful state of sleepiness!). The skilled therapists will use light to medium pressure, that’s sure to rid you of any pent-up tension. You could even do some Christmas shopping in the Lush store below the spa before your treatment begins. Now that’s what we call an efficient use of time!
Lush Spa, 2/F – 4/F, Soho Square, 21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 3915 0638, www.hk.lush.com
10. FLOAX
Ever want to completely switch off after a day of Christmas shopping? Well, you can do exactly that at FLOAX thanks to its relaxation pods. A 60-minute float in one of its water tubs costs just $638 and is said to have the same restful effect as four to eight hours of sleep (we’ll take that!). The water is full of Epsom salts to help you remain buoyant throughout and the magnesium in the salts helps de-stress and flush out toxins. If you are worried about feeling claustrophobic, there’s a call button inside the pod and you can keep the lid open and light on if you prefer. There are showers (with towels and body products provided) to help you freshen up before and after your floating experience.
FLOAX, 1/F, Wing Hing Mansion, 16 Granville Circuit, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2321 9624, [email protected], www.floax.com.hk
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