Celebrity Life

Singapore General Hospital’s innovative tradition inspires doctor to explore new ways to treat patients suffering from foot ailments.

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The Peak team shares their perspective.

The post FOMO vs. JOMO: How does kiasu culture stand up to the new-age desire for wellness? appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The Peak team shares their perspective.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

By Melissa Sorge Tucked away in a 18th century textile factory in lower Manhattan, a subterranean sanctuary beckons visitors seeking old world relaxation and a place to hit the pause button the city that never sleeps. Aire Ancient Baths’ Tribeca location is a refuge from out bust lives–a place to unplug from the modern world […]

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Join the club if you’re in need of an escape — from the stresses of work, the hustle and bustle of city life and sometimes even reality, if only for an hour and a half. So when one of the most luxurious hotel spas in Hong Kong launched a Wellness Escape package, we decided to book ourselves in and retreated all the way to Wan Chai.

Wellness Escape

The Treatment: Blue Diamond Brightening Facial

Spa Cuisine: Black Rice & Quinoa Wrap

Duration: 2 hours (including lunch)

[caption id="attachment_147549" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Omorovicza Facebook[/caption]

Products:

The brightening facial features Hungary’s luxury skincare brand Omorovicza, which is powered by the country’s mineral-rich thermal water to refresh, renew and refine the skin. It’s exclusive to the Plateau Spa in Hong Kong and the facial makes use of the extensive skincare range with a total of eight products in the treatment. Some examples of the products used include a Reviving eye cream, which immediately reduced puffiness and was absorbed into my skin as if I had been dehydrated for weeks on end. It also helped to minimise the dark circles underneath my eyes. A wonderful smelling neroli and rose-scented mist, named the Queen of Hungary, was spritzed on the skin with incredibly refreshing after effects. Another product used to moisturise and give my skin an instant upwards boost was the Rose lifting serum. Similar to botox, it’s designed to relax facial muscles to inhibit the development of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes.

Service:

On arrival, I felt like I had stepped out of Hong Kong and into some far-flung resort spa. An invigorating yet calming scent wafted through the air as I’m asked which treatment and which dish I would like to enjoy. I’m advised that my spa cuisine will be prepared and ready for me as soon as my treatment ends, which was music to my ears given that the time it ended would indeed be lunch. I was invited to rest in the reception area, which overlooks a water garden and tree-lined courtyard, to fill out the rest of my consultation form. Setting the scene for the treatment to come, I’ve already started to shake off the stresses of the city and before long, I’m whisked away into the treatment room. The service at Plateau is swift and I’m greeted softly and warmly by all members of staff throughout the treatment — even whilst I take my lunch outside in the courtyard after.

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Environment:

The spa feels like an elegant resort and utterly different from the business hotel it’s situated in. This is intentional of course, since it is Hong Kong’s first and only spa that offers accommodation with ten guest rooms. Effortlessly tranquil and timeless, the spa design is sleekly furnished with pale wood furnishings warmed up by the mahogany-coloured granite. They all include infinity-edge whirlpool soaking tubs, some with their own private terraces too, for that extra touch of luxury. Beside the spa is an expansive garden space which leads to the 50-metre heated outdoor pool and sauna. But for those that want to get active before they relax, the 24-hour fitness studio, 400-metre jogging path, golf driving range, tennis and squash courts should do the trick.

[caption id="attachment_147546" align="alignnone" width="945"] A head massage during the brightening facial[/caption]

Experience:

There were a number of steps in this facial treatment that intended to firm up, brighten and restore my skin’s ‘fitness’, and it all started with a good cleansing. My therapist was nimble and removed my makeup gently with a moor cream cleanser before she used a buffer to exfoliate the skin. This was amped up with a warm steam treatment to remove dead skin cells and other impurities more effectively. Thereafter it goes a little deeper. At first, it’s with a mud mask that feels cool on my skin as it clears my congested pores. All the while she’s working her massage magic at the top of my head and around my temples as if to untangle some knots in my brain. Next up, it’s the extractions. And if you’re an extraction facial regular, you’ll know that it can get a little painful — what with all that squeezing and pushing around the face to expel any blemishes. Luckily, my therapist utilised a drainage massage technique which was much less painful. Though in more sensitive areas around the nose, it can’t be helped. The final application was three-fold; hydrating, lifting and regulating the skin’s condition which helped to awaken my lacklustre skin.

As the facial comes to a close, I’m offered warm tea and fresh fruits in the room. I’m also told that I can take my time to continue relaxing or clean up, but as my stomach growled for lunch, I remembered that I put in my order for the spa cuisine and head straight to the courtyard. The food is pleasant and gently seasoned, which I assumed was because they had my health interests at heart. However, it did begin to get a little too warm in the courtyard, and although the serene surroundings seemed perfect for lunch, the humidity of summer said otherwise. Upon my departure, I was saddened that my retreat ended so quickly and as I take the lift back down to the hotel lobby, I catch a glimpse of my glowing skin and vow to make a return, and escape, very soon.

The post Spa Review: A Wellness Escape to Grand Hyatt’s Plateau Spa appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As we all know, life in Hong Kong can be a little hectic. The daily grind, cramped commutes and hours spent hunching over technology can combine to become the main cause of not only emotional stress, but also physical tension. Needless to say, massages are a must if you want to truly relax and revitalise your tired body. Enter one such massage that focuses on the soothing art of aromatherapy at The Spa at Base Camp, located inside Kerry Hotel.

The Treatment: Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage

Pressure: Light–Medium

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Products:

Organic, sustainable and hand-harvested ingredients form the base of all Zents products, including the oils used in this massage. Born from the need to heal, Zents has been mindfully formulated for those with scent sensitivities, resulting in aromas that are gentle yet stimulating. Prior to my treatment, I was invited to choose my preferred aroma, so that they could soothe my soul and shoulders with a scent that fits my exact need. Here, four scents are offered; warming Mandarin (with ginger and cardamon), energising Oolong (with lavender and lime), sensual Ore, (with orris, ylang ylang and spicy clove), and the oil of choice for my massage: calming Sun, a blend of vanilla, sandalwood and amber.

[caption id="attachment_208117" align="alignnone" width="1480"] The relaxing aromatherapy massage at The Spa features Zents, a brand that uses organic ingredients and luxurious formulations.[/caption]

Service:

My own personal frustration with massages has always been the amount of pressure used for all that rubbing and kneading of my body. Most times, it’s simply too painful; other times, it’s even reduced me to tears. I’m sure I’m just the wimp in these situations, but it sure is comforting to know that I can select the amount of pressure I prefer prior to my treatment, and that’s exactly what The Spa at Base Camp offered me. I simply ticked the two boxes that indicated a light to medium pressure and my massage therapist did the rest. What’s more, I could even cross out the areas that are too sensitive to touch, or where there are any injuries; reducing any risk of painful or even awkward massage moments.

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Environment:

The spa’s back-to-basics theme has been set to feel like an escape from the bustling city. And it certainly feels that way, but only after you get past the reception area (where I filled out my consultation form) which sits next to the gym pumping loud, motivating music. Thereafter, it is indeed relaxing with a design concept made up of natural materials. Dark wood, bamboo and stone are used across the walls and décor of the three private ensuite treatment rooms and VIP couples suite. Base Camp facilities are open to club members and hotel guests, which include the gym, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and outdoor swimming pool. The showers provide full sets of toiletries, towels and bathroom amenities that feature Zents products, too.

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Experience:

The massage began on my front, where I took deep breaths to take in the aromatherapy oil that I had chosen. Filled with warm base notes and a lingering zest of summer sun, I became calm and most importantly, relaxed. My body naturally began to sink into the bed as she worked my body using Swedish massage techniques that aim to reduce muscle tension and increase circulation. Working diligently from my back, arms, legs, feet and hands, I was blown away by how my massage therapist loosened it all up. It may not have been a deep tissue massage that I went for, but I could definitely feel that some (if not most) knots were released during the process. The almost hypnotic experience seemed to end all too soon as I came to my senses and headed off to shower in the modern and airy changing rooms.

After the treatment, I headed straight to the spacious outdoor terrace which leads to the infinity pool and lounge areas. There's an impressive view of the harbour and considering the perfect weather Hong Kong was having that day -- it would have been a crime not to lounge a little and enjoy it fully. It didn’t take long until I was feeling fully rejuvenated and ready to tackle my next challenge: The challenge of booking in my next spa appointment at Base Camp.

The post Spa Review: Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage at Kerry Hotel’s Spa at Base Camp appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.