A holiday may be the best solution for stressed out minds and bodies, but when hectic schedules won't allow an escape to an exotic retreat, the city's spas have just the answer. From the ancient traditions of Chinese medicine and Tibetan treats to European facials, local spas offer therapies from the far corners of the world. Oriental-themed treatments can be found at numerous spas in the city. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments are mainly based around adjusting the balance between the life forces of yin and yang, and the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, boosting the immune system and reviving energy levels.
Treatments at Chuan Spa at Langham Place hotel are based around traditional Chinese medicine and include Five Elements baths (HK$1,725) designed to purify, stimulate and energise the body. Yin and yang packages (prices vary) can include massages, body wraps and hydrotherapies.
Elemis Day Spa offers the Chinese Tui Na massage (HK$900) a finger pressure treatment whose penetrating squeezing, pushing and kneading techniques are said to manipulate the body's qi, or energy, and realign balance and harmony.
Much more than a drinking pleasure, Japanese sake is said to help combat fatigue and stress when used in therapies. And its natural acids and saccharides exert chemicals in a hot bath that cleanse skin by gently exfoliating old skin cells. The For Heaven's Sake bath treatment at Sense of Touch, includes a rice scrub and lymphatic drainage massage (HK$1,590/2 hours/HK$990/90 minutes).
Ayurvedic treatments can be found at the Beautiful Skin Centre and include an Indian Head Massage (HK$440) which combines massage with chakra movements and is designed to relieve tension and stress-related problems. And at the Mandarin Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, therapies based on the Indian practice include the Choorna Swedam (HK$1,300), a massage using a mixture of powdered herbs with stress and pain relieving properties. Alternatively the Shirodara (HK$1,400) is ideal for those suffering from insomnia and mental exhaustion. A flow of warm oil is poured continuously onto the forehead to promote calmness between body and mind.
Caribbean treats await the individual seeking a revitalising massage that smooths skin. The Lomi Lomi massage hails from Hawaii and is based on long, flowing movements of the forearms, palms and elbows applying warm oils. The Spa at the Four Seasons offers this treatment for HK$1,450, and Elemis Day Spa has the Lomi Lomi - Hawaiian Wave Four Hands massage (HK1,400) with two therapists working simultaneously on the body.