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Suzanne Harrison

MANY A HARRIED  Hongkonger would love to treat themselves to an hour or two in a luxury spa - if not for the prices.

But with summer here and so many people away on holidays, top spas around town are offering attractive deals.

'Between  now and September  we're quieter  because most of our clients are expats who  go home with their children,'  says Pure Spa's Maggie M.Y. Leung.  'The general trend  for summer will be slightly quieter  because of the school holidays.'

Leung says  this time of year is also quieter for tourism.

The Oriental Spa at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental is among those that have responded with summer specials.  It's offering a mix-and-match, two-for-one offer for  those who need high-end maintenance or abs-tightening exercises before heading for the beach.

'Many regular guests  go away for holidays,' says a spokeswoman. 'But we  have mothers coming in for the spa treatments - or yoga and Pilates classes - with their daughters who are on  holidays.'

Body Conscious in Central also has a summer special for those seeking a break from the humidity - cutting its price for a 90-minute Resurgence Facial by more than a third.

The summer months aren't as busy as other times - but they're not as slow as they used to be, says owner Lawrence Brown. 'It used to be dead  because more people were on expat deals. Today, most are on local terms, so they take only a couple of weeks holiday in the summer. A lot of our clients are working mothers rather than stay-at-home - they tend to disappear - so this  helps  keep us busy.'

Spa MTM in Causeway Bay is offering 25 per cent off its new 31/2 hour Soy Contouring Ritual. 'It's slower in the summer months,' says spokeswoman Jamie Chui.

Paua Group Spas director Lee Stephens says business is still healthy - which is more than can be said for some people's skin at this time of year.

'Summer in Hong Kong can play havoc on the skin,' Stephens says. 'Sun, pollution, heat and air conditioning can change people's normal skin condition and cause  concerns. We usually see a rise in requests for skincare and facials that will protect  from the elements - and, of course, anti-ageing.' Paua has introduced a number of specials  this month aimed at those  with skin problems.

Some spa and health professionals recommend massage and any form of human touch  to help heal body and mind. Noella Gabrielle, the creator of Elemis spas and products, says all  types of touch are powerful.

'Touch is a means of communication, and once the hands come into contact with the body, it immediately begins to soften,' she says. 'The power of massage stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage and encourages micro-circulation to the epidermis layer, supporting the skin as the largest organ of the body, which encourages good detox.'

General practitioner Brian Walker says that, although he wouldn't recommend massage as a primary source of treatment for a health issue, it's not at all bad.  'If you include acupressure as a form of massage, then it's well-supported as having an effect on health - specifically in relieving symptoms.  With asthma, for instance, by relieving the pressure of strained accessory muscles used to over-breathe,  you can ease the attack.'

Tempted to cool off inside? Here are some of this   month's best deals:

Spa MTM:  The new 31/2-hour Soy Contouring Ritual (concentrating on abdomen/thighs and hips)  is normally HK$2,500. For this month, first-time visitors  pay HK$1,875.

Body Conscious: Brown has introduced Murad products into the Resurgence Facial. He says it gives an immediate glow, firmness, reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and multiple-layer hydration. It's 90 minutes, including 30 minutes of the spa's signature Touch massage (back, neck and shoulders), and costs HK$850 (normally  HK$1,385).

Oriental Spa at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental:  Its Express Services Mix'n' Match is performed by two therapists at  the same time. As a result, you get two hours' worth of treatment in one.

You can choose from the likes of: a pedicure, manicure and spa lunch; a facial plus a leg and foot massage; a facial plus a manicure or pedicure; an aromatherapy facial and hydrating aromatherapy body wrap; or  a half-leg, underarm, bikini, lip and eyebrow wax. Each  costs HK$1,080.

Pure Spa:   It's offering a facial  plus body therapy, with a 30 per cent discount for Pure cardholders, and  20 per cent discount otherwise.  Facials include AromaPure, Japanese Silk Booster, HydraLift and Pure-ifying, with either AromaBliss, Muscle Relief, Deep Tissue or Chinese Acupressure massages.  Treatments normally cost between HK$780-HK$1,000 - so for those who aren't cardholders, it would be HK$624-HK$800.

Paua Spas: Buy two Murad Acne Blemish Control Kits (HK$470 each) and get a free skin consultation. After 60 days, if you don't see clearer, smoother, healthier skin,  the spa says  it will give you a full refund (except Victoria Spa). If you buy an Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal (HK$1,480 for 15ml) you get a travel-size Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.



Time to splash out