What is it?
The Exceptional Orchidee Imperiale Treatment is a 90-minute facial at the new Guerlain Institute in Central.
What was it like?
One of the most impressive to date, it stands out for the 25-minute facial massage. You also get a foot massage and hand treatment. The creams smell wonderful and are ultra-hydrating. Being over an hour means it's a real escape, while also giving an intensive cleanse and scrub. There are two masks, which target different areas of your complexion. Both are said to strengthen and rebuild skin texture and tone. Two weeks later - and this is a first - the benefits still show. It calmed down sensitive skin and refined the texture straight away, so it delivers what it promises. The therapist uses a finely tuned Guerlain massage technique that feels as if she's draining impurities while lifting your skin. This is an anti-ageing facial designed by Guerlain to use its range of orchid-extract products.
What about the new spa?
It's more like an exclusive Parisian cosmetics store, with Guerlain products displayed in modular cabinets and a centrepiece in the entrance room with fragrances dotted about. There are seven treatment rooms and a makeup area, where you can have your makeup reapplied afterwards. The rooms are larger than the usual Central-based spas and it doesn't pretend to be a holistic retreat, focusing instead on being modern, pristine (it's only been open since the end of last month) and a haven of low lights and wide massage tables. There's also a couple's room that can be used for up to three people if it's a bridal treatment. They say you can 'stay as long as you like' preening in the makeup and hair area afterwards. This would be a good place to get the right look before a special night.
What's not so good?