Advertisement
Advertisement

Seasonal soothing

After a long year, it can be hard to unwind during the busy holiday season as parties and family reunions take their toll on your skin and waistline. But a couple of hours of pampering can be just the tonic as many spas reveal new treatments designed to leave with you with a festive glow.

CHUAN SPA
Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, 35523510
Five Element Christmas (HK$1,600)

Renowned for its Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired treatments, Chuan Spa has designed a Christmas indulgence specially created to de-stress and detoxify tired bodies. The two-hour Five Element Christmas treatment incorporates wood, fire, earth, metal and water and could be all you need after the festive grind. Arrive in the peaceful respite of the Contemplation Corner and sip on a soul-soothing Five Element tea. Follow with a rejuvenating Chuan Tri-bathing Ritual together with a long soak in the Oriental hot tub. Then enjoy a traditional Chinese medicinal body massage performed with TCM Herbal Bolus therapy, a scalp massage, revitalising express facial, and warm hand and foot wrap. Finish with a tempting homemade Christmas treat and to take home, a Chinese herbal tea gift. Available during the month of December.

I-SPA
InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, 27211211
Five Elements (HK$2,800)

Also harnessing the traditional restorative powers of China's important fung shui elements is I-Spa's new Five Elements journey. It begins with the purifying and cleansing properties of water. Next, the body is warmed and cocooned to awaken the sense of fire, while healing the body with earth's rich mineral content. Next, gold oil is massaged onto the body, using specialised therapeutic movements with the wood properties of a birch venik, which is specially crafted to release tension and stimulate circulation. This ritual is said to be beneficial in nourishing the skin and alleviating pain from rheumatoid arthritis, and to ease stiffness of joints and release muscle tension.

MIRASPA
The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, 23155500
MDT5 Vita-Fusion Facial (HK$1,300)
Sugar and Spice (HK$1,200)
VIP Spa Ritual (HK$2,500 for two)

MiraSpa has teamed up with the Somme Institute from New York to launch a revolutionary new facial. The 90-minute MDT5 Vita-Fusion Facial employs molecular dispersion technology with five highly engineered vitamins and a cooling jade stone massage.

For a luminous holiday glow, the 90-minute Sugar and Spice ritual uses a smoothing organic brown sugar and cocoa body scrub to remove dry skin, before a warming massage with cinnamon-infused botanical oils melts tension from aching muscles.

If you're looking to unwind with a partner, the VIP spa ritual is designed for couples with decadent two-hour treatments and an egg nog nightcap. All treatments are available only for the month of December.

THE MANDARIN SPA
Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, 28254888
Detox with Eric Standop (HK$8,800)

Start the new year off right with the help of wellness consultant and renowned face reader Eric Standop. This weeklong programme, starting on January 9, will focus on detoxifying the body to purify and cleanse after the excesses of the holidays. Standop will help participants discover the best way to understand their body and its own detoxification process with the assistance of face reading. Participants will be asked to keep a diary monitoring body reactions and changes, including facial tone and texture. Standop will evaluate progress, review diaries, track reactions and assist with the programme. Besides a body composition reading and assistance with diet and detox problems, it also includes a two-hour spa detox treatment or massage tailor-made to individual needs based on Standop's suggestions.

MELO SPA
Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung St, Sha Tin, 37237684
Winter Warming Journey (from HK$850)

The Melo Spa's Winter Warming Journey features three spa packages created to keep skin hydrated and soft all season long. The Winter Fusion Massage is a combination of Swedish and deep tissue massages using an herbal compress to relieve tension. HK$850 for 60 minutes, or HK$1,150 for 90 minutes.

For an invigorating experience, try the Cocoon Retreat. It begins with a Warm Oil Cedar Spice Body Buff - sea salt, spices and essential oils of cedarwood, bergamot and rosemary work to improve circulation while sloughing away dull skin. This is followed by the Enzyme Silky Body Wrap and Scalp Massage, which uses nutrient-rich pumpkin and cocoa butter to rehydrate the skin while the scalp massage calms the mind. The journey ends with an Anti-Chill back massage and the application of cedarwood and eucalyptus oils to nourish and rejuvenate. HK$1,200 for 90 minutes.

If you're suffering from dry skin this winter, Delicacy Harmony could be just the ticket. A Rose Petal Milky Bath soothes dry skin while the Tranquility Massage encourages circulation. It's rounded off with a Rehydration Facial to restore suppleness and glow. All three treatments are available until January 31.

THE ORIENTAL SPA
Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 15 Queen's Road, Central, 21320011
VitaMan Muscle Reviver Massage (from HK$1,000)

This newly launched treatment for men aims to alleviate aches and pains resulting from over-exercise, stress and a hectic lifestyle. The tension-releasing massage works to ease and eliminate the pain and stiffness accompanying joint and muscle strain through a specific muscle stretching technique using bamboo to offer deep-tissue release. Using VitaMan unique sports massage oil and wax, localised areas of tension and discomfort can be thoroughly soothed while a muscle-relaxing massage dissipates tension throughout the rest of the body. Lastly, VitaMan Desert Muscle Rub is used on isolated areas to revive tired muscles.

OM SPA
Regal Airport Hotel, OM Spa and Fitness Centre 3/F, 9 Cheong Tat Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 22866266
Regal Riverside Hotel, OM Spa and Fitness Centre, 3/F, 34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Road, Sha Tin, 21321100
Wellness Package (from HK$5,670)

OM Spa's new Wellness Packages allow you to escape into a peaceful and tranquil setting. Using Lemongrass House handmade products from Phuket, each package can be tailor-made to fit busy holiday schedules by offering various combinations. Choose from treatments such as a Traditional Thai Massage, Body Scrub, Hot Stone Healing Massage, Thai Herbal Stress Release Luxury Compress and Facial Treatment. It also includes a complimentary Fitness Centre membership that provides full access to the fitness facilities and swimming pool.

THE PENINSULA SPA by ESPA
The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, 23153322
Sweet Dreams Spa Rejuvenation (HK$1,600 plus 10 per cent service charge)

The luxurious spa experience uses Simply Peninsula products and begins with a 30-minute salt and oil body exfoliation to warm the skin, followed by a one-hour Swedish massage with aromatic oils to soothe tightened muscles and alleviate strain. This is followed by a half-hour oriental head massage to relax the mind and soothe puffy eyes. A hearty cup of sugar-free hot chocolate will also be served, as well as a poolside breakfast or lunch. Available weekdays until December 31 (excluding public holidays).

PLATEAU SPA
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, 25847688
Deluxe Winter Pampering (HK$1,900)

Plateau Residential Spa therapists will recommend treatments as part of their Deluxe Winter Pampering package featuring a Nourishing Almond Scrub, Restorative Facial and a choice of June Jacobs Cranberry, Papaya or Pore Purifying Mask. The 105-minute package is available until January 31. In addition, Plateau's Returning guests who bring a friend for their first experience at this spa will receive a 50 per cent discount voucher for the next visit. This offer is available until December 31, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS
Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, 31968900
A Festive Spell (HK$3,300)

Prepare yourself for the party season with a Christmas special that promises to soften, tone and brighten the skin and make you feel refreshed and aglow. Designed as an anti-ageing pampering treatment, and popular with busy Hong Kong people of all ages, this three-hour journey into festive renewal incorporates delicious flavours of the holidays including ginger, cinnamon, sugar, chocolate and chilli in a body scrub, mask, massage and bath to make you feel warm and snug all over. A Festive Spell is available until December 31.

Post