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Leave me alone
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Time to sparty
The Weird World of Spas

There is nothing like going MIA for an hour (or five) and skipping off for some R&R at your favourite spa, where you’ll receive full attention from your well-paid therapist to rub you, scrub you, kneed you, wash you, and (maybe) towel you.

There are many spas that cater to those who want an escape from city-reality, and while all spas offer one-on-one treatments, some do it with the individual more in mind. Private changing rooms, quiet no-cell phone areas, meditation CDs, personal relaxation pods, a tub for one, all make for a wonderful retreat for the one you love the most (here’s a hint, you see them in the mirror).

Whether you’re looking for a grooming session with your waxer, facialist, or nail therapist; or just simply looking to treat yourself to a full body rub down, reiki, reflexology or hydro healing – you owe numero uno a little time out. So leave your obligations at the door, this is your time. Oh, and do yourself a favour – turn that phone off. By Angie Wong

Body Zen
5/F, Hong Kong House, 17-19 Wellington Street, Central, 2770 6728; www.bodyzen.com.hk.
Like its name suggests, this intimate spa gets straight to the karmic point. Hidden away in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it building, just a heartbeat away from Lan Kwai Fong, the minimalist interior is warm and welcoming, accentuated by contemporary wooden furnishings supplied by eco-boutique Tree. Incorporated within the reception is the Organic Hub, a one-stop shop for all your home spa needs, featuring exclusive items such as Tsi-La organic perfumes from the US ($288 per bottle) and Himalayan Salt crystal lamps from Pakistan ($498). But before browsing the shelves, select a treatment from the menu – if you’re in the mood for cosmic alignment, sign up for the Meridians Circulation Therapy ($780/60min). It may not be relaxing – the masseuse digs deep into your tissue – but it’s guaranteed to leave you feeling at the centre of the universe. 

Four Seasons, Macau
Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macau, (853) 2881 8888; www.fourseasons.com/macau.
Spread over 1,858 sqm, this luxurious yet understated spa boasts 14 rooms, each with their own ensuite shower and bathroom. Before lying down, avail yourself of the generous facilities – including sauna, ‘experience’ shower, ‘ice fountain’ and ‘vitality’ pool – then, refreshed, settle down for one of their signature treatments. If you’re in the mood for something a little sparkling, we recommend the chi-clearing two hour Diamond Magnetic Jewel ($1,700/120min), which involves gems being applied to your seven chakra points, crushed diamonds dusted over your body, then their removal with magnets. The purpose is to create an electromagnetic aura – you’ll positively be glowing afterwards. 

Spa L'Occitane
G/F & 1/F, Shop 3, Tower 2, Star Crest, 9 Star St, Wan Chai, 2143 6288; www.loccitane.com.hk.
Located in the former 1/5 nuevo lounge space in a secluded part of Star Street, this French body care retailer turned spa operator uses its nine Provence-style treatment rooms to show off its famous products. The rooms are spacious and filled with the soothing smell of lavender, with some even boasting a Jacuzzi tub and rain shower. The treatments range from lymphatic drainage massages ($850/60min) to Vichy rain hydrotherapies ($1,300/120min). But if you’re looking for value for money, choose one of the package treatments, such as the 90-minute Mediterranean ($950). Despite its name, you can actually select from a list of nine different scrubs and massages, meaning you can tailor it to your exact requirements. 

Aveda Lifestyle Day Spa
3/F The Loop, 33 Wellington St, Central, 2868 9859; www.aveda.com.
This quaint spa might not look like much when you first walk in, but clientele don’t come here for the bells and whistles of Roman Baths or crystal healing saunas. Instead, they come for excellent treatment utilising Aveda’s line of natural products. The massages are textbook, with Swedish, Deep Pressure and Lymphatic Drainage ($850-$1,200/60min-90min) on the menu, though they also have a special All about Eye menu with eyebrow shaping ($200) and eyelash perming ($380). As you may have guessed; this is not really a spa for pampering, but rather grooming.

I-Spa at the Intercontinental
3/F, 18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313 2351; www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.
Since they’ve introduced cabanas by the pool following the recent renovation, we’ve warmly re-embraced this grand dame. While it might be a little frigid out now, as soon as the weather warms up we’re predicting there will be queues down to the lobby for an outdoors oil rubdown in these pseudo-tropical surrounds. Book yourself an Urban Day Spa Retreat ($2,200/150min), which includes a facial, body scrub, foot soak, oil massage, and specially prepared lunch on the terrace. To spoil all the family, get the kids started early with the Chun, Pure Bliss for Children massage ($400/45min), which the staff say will help your child sleep and strengthen their immune system.

Let’spa
B/F, The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, 2866 9221, www.letspa.hk.
Just because you’ve got to go down some steps, don’t confuse this Wan Chai newcomer with any of those seedy rub ‘n’ tugs on Lockhart Road. This is a classy marble and mirror operation, with modern treatment rooms to service both face and body. The whimsically named Roll Me, Flip Me, Rub Me Down body massage menu offers Chinese, Swedish, aromatherapy and hot stone massages ($380-$850/60min-90min), and they also offer Squeeze Me, Please Me foot massages ($220-$520/50min-75min). Sure, Let’spa may lack the extravagant facilities you’ll find in many a hotel spa, but you’re only paying a quarter of the cost of its more upscale brethren. Let’s enjoy it.

Read our other features:
Leave me alone
Couples therapy
Time to sparty
The Weird World of Spas