What is it?
A two-hour treatment at the new Mandarin Spa in the renovated Mandarin Oriental (not to be confused with the Oriental Spa at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental).
What was it like?
The custom-made package includes a facial, body scrub and back massage. The therapist asked how much pressure I wanted, and she got it just right throughout the treatment. I started in the wet area for half an hour, trying the different features. The therapist then led me down the wood-lined halls for the treatment. The body scrub was scented with frangipani, jasmine, ylang ylang and patchouli combined with oils and sea salt. Then I had a shower and started the massage and facial. The therapist was adept at targeting areas that really need relief, using acupressure points and lymphatic drainage techniques.
What about the spa?
Most luxury hotels in Hong Kong now have wet areas in their spas and this one is no different. In the female-only area, it includes a steam room, tropical shower, cold shower and a reflexology, or Kneipp pool, in which you can walk on stones immersed in shallow water. The pool is L-shaped and you're encouraged to walk up and down several times to get the most benefit. The smooth stones are fixed to the floor and you can have the water swirling as you walk. The water is meant to be warm, but it was cold when I dipped my toes in. The three-level spa covers about 22,600sqft and includes an indoor swimming pool, a modern fitness centre, a salon and barber. Even so, the atmosphere is still intimate.