FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Two girls visit a spa nestled in a pleasant crook of the New Territories and find a hidden holistic haven
Hereat Prestige, we’re inundated with press releases from beauty brands and spas all promising the elixir of youth, hope in jars, miracle cures, magical lotions and potions that promise to stop the passage of time, preserve the folly of youth – or at least youthful skin – and keep the perils of unnatural pollutants and natural ageing at bay. So when the latest harbinger of glamorous guarantee landed we were about to humbug the whole gambit, but the prospect of a mini getaway to Melo Spa at the Hyatt Regency in Sha Tin, to try Elemental Herbology with two of the city’s best-known beauties – fashion blogger Faye Tsui, and model and KOL Saffie Ng – had us most intrigued. The venue, located between the campus of Chinese University and the leafy residential avenues of Kau To Shan, is a “staycation” destination that we’re thrilled to discover in such stimulating company. As we walk around the calm, soothing environs of Melo Spa, we assume that the place was named with a light wordplay on “mellow”. We’re told, however, that the spa is named after the humble pomelo, an apt appellation for the Sha Tin venue given that, in Cantonese, pomelo translates to Sha Tin grapefruit. There are nine private spa suites, four of which have private outdoor terraces overlooking the Kau To Shan hills and five with views of Tolo Harbour. First to arrive is Faye Tsui, who chooses a sea view. Before her impending trip to Paris Fashion Week, she’s keen to check out the latest offering from the spa: a natural relaxing
experience with Elemental Herbology’s facial and body treatments and homecare products. Elemental Herbology’s products utilise five-element theory, a cornerstone of Chinese philosophy, in tandem with natural, synthetic-free ingredients to cater to different skin characteristics. Brand founder Kristy Cimesa relates that during her years studying Chinese medicine and practising as a spa therapist, she felt there was a huge chasm between high-performance brands that were results driven and brands that emulated a home-spa experience. She wanted to create a line that offered ultimate nutrition for skin; thus Elemental Herbology was born, combining skin nutrition with wellbeing through its blending of five element theory with innovative technology and natural botanicals. As we open jars and look into the creams, we note that the products – popular with beauties such as Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lopez – are free from synthetic fragrance and artificial colour. With paraben preservatives and mineral oils to ensure the skin is cared for from the inside out, the products are matched with special massage techniques to achieve perfect equilibrium. Therapists choose suitable five-element products for guests based on skin type, lifestyle, environmental factors and the season, providing a tailormade experience every time. After her spa treatment, Tsui says, “The massage itself is relaxing, beneficial and you can feel your body is thankful for this hour that you just gave it to revitalise. My fave spa treatment is the body massage, where they have questions asking about your daily routine and then get the best oil to fit your needs. I feel fantastic after and ready to go, go, go!” Saffie Ng arrives in advance of a catwalk show where she’ll be seated front row and look very much the glamazon. But before striking a pose all evening for the photographers, she opts for a mountain-view room and tries the Five Element Aroma Facial and the Five Element Aroma Massage. The aromatherapy massage blends customised essential oil infusions and massage techniques to deliver a massage experience that balances body and mind. After her blissed out treatment, she says, “The massage is very relaxing, I really enjoyed it. After 10 minutes I was totally into the comfort zone. It wasn’t until I was told to flip to the other side that I realised I’d fallen into deep, deep sleep! It’s pretty self-explanatory how relaxed I was, with my body and my mind in deep relaxation during the entire process. I really enjoyed the experience of peace and pampering, it was my escape from the hustle and bustle of the modelling, teaching [yoga] and personal training life.” Sipping green tea, she continues, “What I like the most about this massage experience is that the therapists consult with me on my body status and feelings of the day before we start anything. I like this whole unique personal experience. In the beginning, I had to fill in a small questionnaire to determine my element of the day. Then the massage therapist analysed and chose the elements that are suitable for my mental and physical needs, then she picked out
Spa facials, treatments and massages are not just for pampering and superficial aesthetic purposes; they can also provide a deeply healing exercise
the massage oil for the session. I like that custom-made experience – each time could be different depending on the day. For me, I was told I was clinging on a ‘metal’ element. So they fixed that!” Spa facials, treatments and massages are not just for pampering and superficial aesthetic purposes; they can also provide a deeply healing exercise. Ng explains how she relied on good massages after a bad accident. “Since my motorcycle accident a few years ago I’ve been suffering from scoliosis, although yoga helps to ease the pain of my crooked back, but it’s still an ongoing discomfort for me. I’ve been training and running a lot recently due to my line of work – my back and bottom half have been receiving a lot of pressure and I’m constantly exhausted. So when the therapist asked which body part needed the most attention, without any hesitation I said my bottom half is calling for help. She asked many questions in the beginning so that she could provide me with just the right amount of pressure and know exactly what I needed. I shared my body situation with her, and she was very attentive the whole time.” One of the greater appeals of the spa is its location, far from the concrete jungle, with both girls saying they feel they’re in a distant resort surrounded by verdant vistas. “I’m quite excited to know there is a place in Hong Kong where I can get away from the busy city and relax in the countryside within a day,” says Tsui. “From the moment I arrived, I could feel the stress of the day melting away.” Ng continues in the same vein: “The spa is spectacular and beautifully decorated. The view from my room was gorgeous, I felt serene and calm from the moment I stepped inside.” As the girls are chauffeured back to the city, we ask them if they’d come again. “Of course,” is the unanimous answer. While Ng wants to try the Ho-Leaf and Rosemary Muscle Melt (a 90-minute session that she didn’t have time for that day), Tsui wants a booking after her European trips. “Yes, I definitely want to go back, especially after my long fashion week. Six-inch heels on Parisian cobblestones are painful. Can you help me book a suite?” Sure.