Serenity in Singapore
CLAIRE SPREADBURY heads to the Far East to find out how a brand famous for its spas and wellness does bustling city life
ANYONE who’s ever been to a Six Senses hotel will know all about luxury.
The fine dining, gorgeous architecture and experiential extras are dreamy, but it’s their heavenly spas that take the properties to another level.
So, when they launched their very first city concept, eyebrows were raised.
Could they really pull off the wellness factor in the hustle and bustle of a city?
Singapore is their first port of call, with two properties just a fiveminute walk from one another. Six Senses Duxton opened in April 2018, followed by Six Senses Maxwell eight months later, both in charming Chinatown and collectively known as Six Senses Singapore, as you can frequent both, no matter which one you’re staying at.
Six Senses Duxton oozes coolness. From the buzzy yellow and black reception area to the must-book all-white Pearl Suite, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream.
The beautiful building was lovingly restored by British designer Anouska Hempel, and the 49 bedrooms and suites are all completely individual.
Treat yourself to a Chinese banquet at Yellow Pot where the bumblebee chic continues, with black chairs, tables and walls popping against the yellow in the wallpaper, lampshades and borders.
Six Senses Maxwell is much bigger, with 138 rooms, a small ‘lap’ pool, and spa pods on the way.
Inside, French architect and designer Jacques Garcia has opted for authentic décor and furnishings, but with a contemporary twist.
The biggest talking point, however, has to be the über-cool Cook & Tras Social Library. The perfect spot for a cocktail
– and maybe some Thai and Malay small plates if that one drink turns into a few more – it’s curated by the Ultimate Library, and there are 3,000 books available to read and borrow.
Space is at a premium in Singapore, so rooms can be on the small side, and because of the location, there aren’t any beautiful views. But there are hand-made mattresses and organic bed linens.
Sustainability is high on the agenda so, when you walk into your little bathroom, you won’t find plastic bottles of indulgent lotions and potions. You’ll find a bar of Etro soap, and four wooden containers dispensing hand lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Even the essential extras, like cotton wool pads and biodegradable toothbrushes, are found ‘naked’ in a recyclable cardboard box.
But what about the wellness? If you’re after the serenity and spas featured in other Six Senses properties, go there, because you won’t find them here. This is wellness within city-centre living, and it’s very different.
There is a pool and a gym, but both are what you might call ‘cosy,’ and the still-to-open spa pods are likely to follow that theme if their name is anything to go by. It’s still very cool and luxe, though.
The outdoor lap pool is long, slender and lined with neutral, low beds, all surrounded by passion fruit and lime trees, and basil and rosemary used in drinks at the bar.
Inside my mini-bar, as well as all the usual suspects, there’s a Sunset and Sunrise shot made from snow chrysanthemum, globe amaranth and lavender (it tastes a bit like a cold herbal tea), which can apparently lower blood pressure, reduce fatigue and aid a good night’s sleep.
By the side of my bed sits a copy of All Men Are Lonely Now, by Francis Clifford, two Chinese foot meditation balls, an energy chime to reduce stress and a book on Qigong self-massage to maximise energy and reduce ill health.
There are optional yoga classes, but the singing bowl vibration therapy is a welcome ritual everyone is encouraged to have.
Taking off your shoes and socks, guests stand in a giant brass bowl, which is hit three times.
A smaller bowl is then gently struck to the side of you, before the bowl is moved to the other side of your head and struck again. It takes less than 60 seconds, but the vibrations and ringing move right through your body, leaving a feeling of calm.
You can book an appointment to see a traditional Chinese physician at Duxton, where readings, health recommendations and a medicinal herbal dispensary is available. I pop along to the consultation room, where Ming welcomes me by taking my pulse, before looking at my ears and also my tongue.
Worryingly, he asks if I’ve had an ECG, or experienced any pain in my chest, but then concludes I’m fine, showing me three pressure points to massage for general wellness.
It’s short and sweet, but after speaking to other people who were told completely different things, I take it more seriously and start massaging around my thumb.
There’s also a cute tricycle, offering complimentary ice cream from 1pm to 5pm outside the Maxwell. Now, that’s essential self-care in my book...