GBA Lifestyle News
Hong Kong’s hectic and stressful busy pace can be a little overwhelming sometimes. Feeling depleted and in need of a pampering for the body and mind? Why not carve out some time to spoil yourself at Hong Kong’s top-notch spas! Here are some of our faves, and some of the best in town.
Hands down one of the most luxurious spas in Hong Kong, The Oriental Spa at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel has maintained its high standard of spa treatments since opening in 2005, offering guests a relaxing oasis in the heart of the city. The Oriental Spa has 15 guest rooms, including a Sanctuary Suite for couples, separate relaxation lounges for men and women, and more therapeutic facilities as compared to the spa at its sister hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The spa treatment menu is renewed on a regular basis, with a wide range of retreats infused with ancient Asian traditions for both men and women. It’s best to arrive at least an hour beforehand to enjoy some traditional Hammam, Moroccan Rasul and Roman Laconium rituals prior to your treatment.
The Jet Leg Cure is a rather unique and deeply relaxing treatment that is designed to alleviate the body’s sluggishness from travels or sitting for long periods. As you lie down on the treatment bed, you’ll be asked by the therapist to inhale tranquilizing essential oils from her palm to calm your senses. The treatment begins with upward strokes of skin-brushing to stimulate the lymphatic system and to boost circulation, followed by a full body massage with an energizing or relaxing massage oil of your choice as well as some yoga stretches to relief muscle tensions. Complete your experience with a rest on the comfortable beds in the quiet and dimly lighted relaxation lounge accompanied by a cup of warming herbal tea.
5/F, Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 2132-0188.
The Langham’s spa recently underwent a revamp, and now we have Chuan Body + Soul, complete with heated rooftop swimming pool, saunas as well as a fitness center to go with your spa experience. The spa focuses on the Chinese theme of fengshui, and you’ll see decor reminiscent of the five elements (that’s water, earth, metal, wood and fire) throughout the space.
Enjoy a full body treatment like the Chuan Tao of Detox or Chuan Ritual, which offers two and a half hours of bliss in the form of a full body massage, body scrub, and revitalizing facial. For the more adventurous, there are also personal trainers on hand to give private tai chi, yoga and meditation lessons. For the complete experience, you can even turn it into a staycation with the Chuan Retreat package that comes with a one night stay in a one-bedroom suite.
The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2378-9988.
The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel has always been a highly reputable retreat in Central. It’s a haven of calm and tranquility and frequent spa-goers keep returning for high quality treatments performed by its well-trained therapists. Guests are welcome to experience the Vitality Pool, Crystal Steam Room and Rhassoul Chamber facilities prior to or after treatment.
The menu has a wide selection of facial and body treatments for both men and women. The Abhyanga massage is a one-of-a-kind treatment based on the Indian Ayervedic healing practice. An ample amount of warm massage oil made from cow’s milk, cinnamon and various spices is poured over the body, and the therapist works through your body chakras (energy points) with gentle strokes that could easily put you to sleep due to its deep calming effect. If you feel like indulging in a half-day retreat, you can select one of the signature packages that include a body scrub, massage, bath and wraps.
This year, the Four Seasons Spa has new wellbeing programs that aim to provide a city escape for people living in Hong Kong, including monthly meditation classes and a Wellbeing Check-In: a whole day workshop to nurture the mind and body through meditation, yoga and customized massage. The workshop also includes delicious and nutritious meals by the executive chef throughout the day. The next Wellbeing Check-In workshop will be held in October.
6/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196-8888.
In an elegant setting in Central, the Hermitage Spa offers city-center serenity and prides itself on its full range of facial and body treatments and professional grade skincare products. The light and bright venue feels cozy and is fully equipped with lockers and showers.
Choose from a selection of massages that are reasonably priced, including the Lymphatic massage, Thai massage or a more soothing Swedish massage to unlock those tangled muscles. If you’re in need of a break from a hectic day, book a quick 50-minute massage to recharge yourself. Don’t miss the Hydrating Facial, using dermatology-grade products with alleged anti-inflammatory and restorative properties. You’ll notice a glow on your face after the treatments. Warm your stomach with a cup of soothing rose tea and homemade pastries after your treatment.
18/F, South China Building, 1 Wyndham Street, Central, 2801-7208.
Retreat by Bodywize first opened in 2004 in Happy Valley, before moving to its three-story flagship location in Causeway Bay in 2013. Over the years, this urban sanctuary has successfully introduced a number of healing therapies and wellness practices to Hong Kong. From the moment you enter the Southeast Asia-inspired sanctuary, you’ll be instantly immersed in the serene environment. The spa specializes in holistic healing, with an impressive treatment menu – its sensory half-day or full-day “Journeys” and “Ceremonies” are especially tailored for the city’s busybees.
Life is a Beautiful Journey is one such treatment, where guests are first given a glass of “gemstone” water that tastes like fresh spring water. The treatment begins with a peaceful 20- to 30-minute soak in a Colored Light Therapy bath, followed by a body exfoliation and some yoga stretches. But the best part is the facial meditation – the meridians on your face are gently pressed on by the therapist, using deliciously fragrant organic rose oils.
Bodywize also has a full list of treatments designed for men. The Time for Retreat is a head-to-toe pampering treatment that is most popular among male guests. It starts with an invigorating foot ritual, then a relaxing back massage with your choice of aroma oil, followed by a bespoke facial and a foot and scalp massage.
Bonus: a glass of bubbles is served at the end of your treatment!
1/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2111-1656.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers tranquility in one of the tallest buildings in Hong Kong. Located on the 116th floor of the ICC tower in West Kowloon, the spa comes with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour.
The spa has recently launched a new 90-minute facial treatment Renew, Refresh, Recharge that is most suitable for the spring season to soothe irritated skin. Using 111SKIN products, the treatment begins with a cleansing, and is followed by a gentle face massage using a special ball applicator that helps to infuse the firming ingredients into the skin, paying special attention to areas that are prone to wrinkles such as eyes and forehead. The therapist then skilfully performs an uplifting face massage by hand with firm, deep strokes, and a soothing neck and chest massage that could easily put you to sleep. The treatment finishes with an oxygen-infusing face mask with soothing and restorative ingredients from 111SKIN Cryo products to brighten dull complexions. While waiting for the face mask to be absorbed, the therapist gives a light massage for the legs to wrap up the facial treatment nicely. This seasonal treatment is available until April 30th 2018.
116/F, The Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, 2263-2263.
Sense of Touch began its Hong Kong journey in 2002, and to this day it continues to provide stellar treatments to its guests in one of its six tranquil locations. The Repulse Bay branch has a beach as its backdrop, away from the hustle and bustle. The spa is located in a charming colonial building and you’ll walk past a waterfall and lush garden before reaching the spa entrance.
One of the signature and award-winning treatments is the (unfortunately named, tbh) Opium, which starts with a poppy seed scrub followed by a full body massage using calming lavender and chamomile oils. The spa also has a treatment for couples called Love is A Many Splendoured Thing, named after the 1955 American romantic drama that was filmed right in this historical building.
Shop G211, 1/F, The Repulse Bay Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Road, 2592-9668.
Located in NoHo, the Caudalíe boutique spa on Gough Street provides facial and body treatments using Caudalíe’s very own products from France. The spa is a hidden gem – a two-story hidden gem, to be exact. The treatments make use of products made from grape extracts straigh from the vineyard of Bordeaux.Enjoy a blissful Caudalíe Candle massage as the therapist melts a fragrant candle and massages the oil soothingly onto your skin.
G/F, 3 Gough Street, Central, 2319-1006.
[Updated April 2018]
