I picked Chuan Spa at the Langham Place Hotel in Mong Kok - thought I'd splash out a bit. I was worried that it wouldn't be nice despite it being a bit expensive, but those concerns were soon to be eliminated, together with any stress and tension gathered over the past month or so.
Firstly, the spa was on the 41st floor of the hotel. Upon check-in I am led to the Contemplation Room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The view was magnificent. A hot towel and tea awaited while I filled out the check-in questionnaire. The point of the questionnaire, other than to get your details, is to determine your state of being for today, which would help your spa therapist to tailor your treatment accordingly. This concept is based on the five Chinese elements of earth, wind, water, fire and (I think) metal. Mine was very clearly earth - looks like I needed some grounding elements to calm my frazzled (and overheated) holiday nerves.
The Contemplation Room:
I was then led to the change rooms and shown the showers, steam room, sauna and Oriental hot tub. Damn I forgot my bathers. And this place didn't condone nude bathing :( My slight disappointment at forgetting my bathers, however, was short-lived as I slipped into a fluffy bathrobe and slippers and made my way downstairs to the treatment room.
I had signed up for the 2.5-hour Chuan Escape treatment, and was greeted my therapist, Yee, before being led around the zen water garden to the 'Water' room. Opulently decorated, with dim lighting and soft colours, it made one feel calmer already just by being in there.
The treatment started off with a refreshing body scrub containing hints of peppermint. It felt tingly and cool against my skin. Yee's hands worked magic even with something as simple as a scrub application, and I begin to drift away...
Now the beauty of Chuan Spa is in the details. After applying the scrub, I could hear the sound of the shower being turned on. Yee washes my feet, dries them with a hot towel, then slips the spa slippers on before gently helping me up (me being all warm and fuzzy in the head) to the shower. This is what makes a spa treatment so special - when you feel like you're really being pampered and treated like royalty.
After showering, I am led to this cocoon-like machine that is kinda like a tanning bed, only it does good things to your skin (think it's a vichy shower?). A warming mud mask is applied all over my body, the top lid of the bed is shut down over me (only my body from the shoulders down was cocooned) and the steam turned on for half-an-hour or thereabouts.
I fell asleep. I even caught myself snoring a few times.
After the steam treatment, the vichy showers were turned on inside the cocoon. Invigorating jets of water in various rhythmic massage modes washed the mud away, while the bed - as I discovered with mild surprise - doubled as a vibrating massage table.
Another shower later and I was led to the 'Heaven' room for my aromatherapy massage. Yee used a mix of techniques to melt away the tension. She also massaged my tummy - I think this was because I had listed indigestion as one of the discomforts I had experienced in the last week or so, no doubt due to my excessive eating in KL!
The hour was over too soon, and I soon found myself being led to the Relaxation Room, which contained a row of plush day beds overlooking the city. By then night had already fallen and the view was breath-taking. I reclined on the big, fluffy pillows and savoured the view over some hot tea and fresh fruit, soaking it all in. This was really the perfect ending to an already exceptional spa experience.
Here is the view from the 41st floor by night:
I wish I could do this every month. There is a Chuan Spa at the Melbourne Langham on Southbank, but it is slightly more expensive than the HK one, and I don't know if it's held to the same high standards. Will have to give that one a go.
Chuan Spa HK is definitely at the top of my list now - sorry, Aurora Spa Retreat!
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