SPA SPOTLIGHT
Escape the chaos of city life with luxurious spa treatments that restore not just the body but your mind, say Nafeesa Saini and Yanni Tan.
Luxurious spa treatments to restore the body and mind
Sand elf-care remains a favoured wellness buzzword this year and, of the countless ways one can practise it, a spa day is by far the most indulgent accessible given the current circumstances. Reward yourself with some peace and pampering at the holistic hideouts within Dusit Thani Laguna, The Fullerton Hotel and Raffles Singapore.
DEVARANA WELLNESS
Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, dusitthanilagunasingapore.com
The paradisiacal hideaway of Devarana Wellness awaits within lush green fairways and the gleaming new property of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore. Despite its proximity to Changi Airport and nearby construction, the hum of the outside world is muffled. Here, you’re insulated from the low throttle of airplane engines and the onslaught of traffic. This is destination isolation.
Unlike the hotel’s futuristic facade defined by undulating curves, the spa is all austere straight lines; its ivory walls are framed by high ceilings that lend its treatment rooms an expansive feel. A Thai-style roof gable that crowns the mirror is a subtle reminder of the spa’s DNA.
Devarana, which means “garden in heaven” in Sanskrit, is a reference to 14th-century Sukothai Kingdom monarch Phraya Lithai’s ancient literary work of Tribhumphraruang, which details these divine gardens, situated at heaven’s gates, at length.
At Devarana Wellness, the focus is on de-stressing, detoxing and helping you develop restorative sleep. The treatment begins with a selection of assorted scented oils that target the goals of your treatment, such as relaxation and stress release.
The list of treatments are long and winding, but the two-hour Signature Singaporean Journey is the highlight. It starts with a body scrub using a blend inspired by chendol – made with a blend of sugar,
coconut milk, pandan leaves and jackfruit – and ends with a deep tissue massage. For a decadent afternoon, book The Heavenly Nantha Garden Experience. Spanning two and a half hours, it includes a bath, scrub and massage that incorporates locally grown tropical leaves and flowers with blends of ylang ylang.
I experienced the 90-minute Signature Massage, which combines Thai, Ayurvedic and Shiatsu deep tissue techniques. Instead of traditional kneading, the therapist applies firm and steady pressure to aching muscles using her forearms and elbows. Minutes in, I drifted away to soothing music and the scent of oranges and kaffir limes as my muscle tension melted away.
For those with children in tow, a separate menu caters to those between six and 14 years old. Treatments include the Lavender Lullaby, which features a hair mask and head massage, and the Spalicious Treat, which combines a soft lavender coconut cupcake rub and ends with a mellow oil massage. Each child must be accompanied with a parent at all times but, if that is not your idea of bliss, it’s worth knowing that inroom babysitting is offered for hotel guests.
If a spa day isn’t enough to quieten the mind, Devarana Wellness also offers day passes that includes a choice of a massage, a yoga session and complimentary use of its three swimming pools.
THE FULLERTON SPA
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, fullertonhotels.com
Step out from the belly of the CBD and find the city’s salvation at the colonial-era behemoth that is The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. Located on the mezzanine floor, the spa looks out to the skyscraper-lined sky and the outdoor swimming pool.
A swathe of neutral interiors and a friendly, discreet therapist greets you as you enter, warmly ushering you into a comprehensive consultation to customise your experience according to your preferences and pain points.
To bolster its menu of sublime treatments, the spa has recently partnered with premium spa brand ESPA, known for its nourishing and aromatic formulas. This includes facials – the Fullerton Signature Facial is a 90-minute treatment that triple cleanses, rehydrates and boosts skin’s circulation using a massage with potent formulas.
The Asian Heritage Signature is a long-time classic of the spa and has recently been renewed. The two-part treatment starts with you facing up, instead of down, as is tradition. An invigorating scalp massage with the ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud kick-starts the session.
The mud itself is mineral-rich and treats the scalp with watercress and red clay, and apricot kernel oil to nourish locks. It is kneaded thoroughly through hair and on the scalp, and is alternately applied with wide sweeping motions down the neck, and gentle pressure on the temples and ears to clear blockages. As you move to face down, you’ll notice that any stiffness in your neck and shoulders has been greatly eased. For maximum benefits, the therapist advises washing your hair the next day or a few hours post-treatment.
Next, the body’s different meridian points are targeted using acupressure before your joints are stretched to relax muscles. Then, a deep tissue massage ensues, one that teeters on a pleasurable pain. Slow, deep strokes are applied all over the body, particularly on your trouble areas, to relieve tension in the muscles’ inner layers. The Soothing Body Oil I’ve chosen is a comforting blend of sandalwood with mellow myrrh, frankincense and rose geranium that swiftly soothes the senses. As the massage ends, the calm continues with a mug of tea and silence that greets you at the lounge.
RAFFLES SPA
#01-31 Raffles Arcade, rafflessingapore.com
While Singapore’s grand old dame remains an oasis of tranquillity in the Civic District, within it lies a not-too-little slice of heaven – the Raffles Spa, which re-opened as the property’s major restoration was completed in late 2019. Now nestled in the heart of Raffles Arcade just steps from the Grand Lobby via a side gate, its location is more convenient for guests arriving from outside the hotel.
The spa’s quiet elegance, spaciousness and muted colour palette together offer a salve for the senses. The thick walls of such old colonial buildings also seem to block out any noise. The largest treatment room is the Gem Suite, a large standalone space that boasts a vitality pool, bathroom and its own private entrance. Even my individual suite, one of seven there, was generously sized, featuring an en suite bathroom and vanity area well stocked with amenities and complimentary bottled water and mixed nuts.
I chose the 90-minute Raffles Signature Gemstone Massage, since it is a tension reliever that was much needed by me, and the spa is themed around gems. I filled in a card that allowed me to pictorially indicate the areas for my therapist to focus on or avoid – a detail missing at many spas that I find absolutely necessary, being quite fussy about the massage pressure for different parts of my body.
While Raffles Spa exclusively uses products from two luxury brands, premium US label ISUN and Mikimoto (yes, the Japanese pearl jeweller also manufactures high-end skincare products), a spa ultimately proves its worth through the delivery of its treatments. My affable Thai therapist first explained the healing properties of the carnelian, rose quartz and amethyst pebbles that would be used for the corresponding chakras of my body, after which I chose my preferred essential oil-infused massage oil.
The experience passed in a haze, for it was that good. It was a combination of my therapist’s long, kneading, muscle-melting strokes that bear traditional Thai massage pedigree; the comforting warmth of the gemstones; and the serene ambience of the room. It was one of those massages that you never knew you needed, and certainly one of the best local experiences I had in recent memory.
Treatments at the spa are pricey, but worth every dollar, and totally worth taking half the day out of your busy schedule for. To obtain the best value, do spare some time for the spa’s hydrothermal facilities preor post-treatment. Using the steam bath, sauna, ice fountain as well as the heated pool is said to promote better blood circulation and relaxation. From now until end of this June, guests also enjoy 20 per cent off any 90-minute facial or body treatment for appointments from Mondays through Wednesdays.