As parents constantly running from soccer practice to ballet lessons to parent-teacher sessions, it can be almost impossible to steal a moment away for ourselves! When people ask, “What do you do to keep the romance alive in your relationship?” the answer doesn’t often involve a 2.5-hour luxurious facial and massage session in a secluded spa with just the hubby and I! That’s why I was so excited when the opportunity came up to experience the Double Couples Martini Ritual at Sassy Mama fav, Sense of Touch — both because I’d heard so many great things about the spa and also because it was just a much-needed break for the both of us!
We stole away on a recent Saturday night and headed over to Sense of Touch’s Central location for a super luxe head-to-toe treatment. Sense of Touch has seven locations around Hong Kong; the Central location is located in the heart of LKF and while the lobby and narrow hallways are a bit cramped for space (as would be expected of any space in LKF!), the actual treatment rooms are spacious and luxurious, fitted with cushy massage beds, private baths, showers and wardrobes for storing your personal items.
Despite what the name might suggest, the treatment doesn’t kick off with a “martini” in hand, but rather a very soothing, hot cup of lemongrass-scented tea. After laying face down on the massage tables, we inhaled the aromatherapy scent to start (the aroma was so heavenly I was prompted to ask where I could purchase it afterwards!). It was an intoxicating mix of eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender, and put me immediately into a tranquil state of mind. We slipped more and more into this relaxed stupor throughout the one-hour massage that followed. I always judge a good massage by how quickly I doze off (about 20 minutes in, I could hear not-too-gentle snoring from the hubby’s side of the room — always a good sign!) My masseuse knew just where my pressure points and knots were and worked wonders in relaxing all the kinks in my body.
Our muscles properly loosened, we turned face up to receive the guys and girls facial treatments. My “purifying facial” started with a gentle combination of jojoba, damask rose and essential oil of geranium to wipe away makeup and cleanse the skin, followed by a blend of plant oils and pure rose water to exfoliate. The technician then applied a deep hydrating mask to restore moisture and coax out that “bright, radiant” look. After a gentle exfoliation and extraction the facial wrapped up with a special serum packed with plant oils to replenish and re-energise. An eye serum was also applied consisting of black tea, cranberry and butcher’s broom (don’t ask me what this is!). Fancy names aside, I’m not usually big on facials but this one was a gentle and soothing process without all the poking and prodding and squeezing that usually scares me off. Don’t just take my word for it, though — this was hubby’s first facial and one of very few massages he’s had and his verdict? A big thumbs up!
The whole treatment ended with a relaxing soak in the side-by-side couples bath tubs (I joked that these were more hobbit-sized vs full-sized tubs, but very cosy for an intimate soak to wind up the treatment!). A shower is also provided with Aromatherapy Associates bath products so we left the room thoroughly cleansed, refreshed and rejuvenated. We will definitely be back the next time we need to unwind!
The Couple’s Double Martini Ritual is $3,350 for two for a 2.5-hour treatment. It includes a 60-minute massage, a sensitive radiance facial for her and a refinery deep cleansing facial for him, and a relaxing soak to finish up. Book ahead to reserve the treatment time.
Sense of Touch, 1-5F, 52 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, 2526 6918; check out other locations here