The Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was a man's man - or at least, that's what most people think. He was a bullfighter, brawler and a boozer. But it's a lesser-known fact that his mother sometimes dressed him as a girl when he was a child. This makes The Hemingway package at the newly opened Gentlemen's Tonic men's spa and salon all the more fitting.
A high-end chain from London's Mayfair, the Hong Kong branch of Gentlemen's Tonic is located in the basement of the Landmark. The atmosphere and ambience are far removed from that of a traditional spa.
Like the prose of the great American author, it's a minimalist's dream: a solace of privacy and simplicity for men who get lost in the endless floral arrangements and intoxicating smells of traditional spas.
The package itself also keeps things uncomplicated. The hangover-ready deal includes an aromatherapy massage followed by a facial, along with a stiff Bloody Mary to soothe that aching skull. The two-hour treatment kicks off in your own private room - the masseuse uses a variety of aromatic oils to give patrons a relaxing all-over rub.
Next comes the facial. A double cleanse wash wipes off impurities, and is followed by a prickly exfoliator, which is vigorously rubbed across the entire face to remove dead skin. Your face becomes buffed and delicate, so a steamer is used to relieve sensitivity. Then a 10-minute mask is applied to cool and alleviate. The final step is a soothing toner and moisturiser to calm the freshly polished skin.
The Hemingway is an ideal treatment for men. It's simple and straightforward, and a welcome escape for males who haven't fully gone down the metrosexual path yet. With Gentlemen's Tonic soon to introduce their classic shaving techniques, expect this to be the new hangout for the manly man on the move.
