The most indulgent spa treatments this Christmas
You can’t buy clothes for her because she’s extremely discerning, you can’t buy home accessories because (let’s be real) she calls the shots, and you can’t even book a holiday for her since you can hardly keep tabs on her social calendar.
If you’re looking to score some serious brownie points, heed our advice. We did some field work and hit up the city’s best retreats to uncover the ultimate luxury gift – super pampering spa experiences.
PS. You’re welcome!
We tried: the Beaufort Christmas Spa Essentials, a three-hour treatment available for the month of December 2012. Includes a welcome foot bath, aroma lavendar massage, premium gold facial with Vitamin C mask, and your choice of a foot or scalp massage. Priced at $380++. Call 6371 1288 /1318 for appointments at Spa Botanica.
We love: The spa itself (the garden /additional facilities) was most impressive.
We opted for a firmer massage to straighten out our sore muscles and enjoyed the amazing effects the following few days. Judging by how many times we had to fight off the urge to sleep, we’d rate the massage a solid A.
We were also impressed by the visual results of the facial. Goodbye dull skin, hello radiance! The products used were applied liberally, and we particularly appreciated the subtle use of lavender oil and the absence of over-powering fragrances.
We tried: The “Beauty Inside and Out” half day spa journey. It begins with your choice of body exfoliation or body wrap, followed by an anti-ageing body firming massage, a collagen boost anti-ageing facial, an express mani and pedi, and ends with a spa menu at Cassia. Priced at $499+. Call 6591 5023 for appointments at Auriga Spa.
We love: This is the stuff of spa dreams. Getting there early is the key to enjoying the hydrobath, followed by the unbelievable ‘experience showers’ – the first with peppermint aromatherapy, the second filled with the scent of tropical flowers.
The Auriga Spa leaves no stone unturned. From the super comfy disposable undies to the private double-roomed doors for silence and the electronically adjustable massage table that puts you in all the right positions without you having to awkwardly lift anything, Auriga’s got you covered. The service, needless to say, is unparalleled.
The entire treatment also happens in your own private room with courtyard so you never have to leave… until it’s time to feast on a nourishing and super tasty four course spa meal at Cassia.
We tried: The Indulgence Hammam Ritual and the Indulgent Radiance ESPA Facial. The Hammam Ritual (60 mins) starts by deeply cleansing the skin with a revitalising body scrub, followed by a full body foam massage, a mud body mask, and a refreshing hair cleanse and hydrating conditioning hair treatment. The Radiance Facial is a 60 minute powerful and highly effective natural facial peel that dramatically smoothes, softens, and evens skin tone. Priced at $225 for the Hammam Ritual and $275 for the facial. Call 6577 8888 for appointments at ESPA.
We love: Leave your disappointment at the door, you won’t be needing it here. Singapore’s largest spa, and one of the newest, is truly stunning. With over 10,000 square metres of manicured gardens, pools, and ponds, the setting is surprisingly magical – and incredibly tranquil.
We found the Hammam Ritual thoroughly relaxing. Think total sensory overload of textures and treatments on your body while you rest on a hot stone table. After being massaged, scrubbed, and spending time in the star-ceiling sauna, we floated upstairs in a drug-like state to start our one hour massage. Ah-mazing.
Hot Tip: Bring your swimmers and make time for the pools, cafe, nail studio (that can take 17 guests), and relaxation areas. We’ll be back.
We tried: the Christmas Magic Scrub with a Personalised Massage Spa Package (12 different exotic scrubs to choose from). Priced at $260 for 110 minutes. Call 6338 3318 for appointments at Estheva.
We love: First up, how great is this location? The Estheva at the Raffles Hotel is pure indulgence. It’s right in the city centre, but ticks all of a spa retreat’s essentials: it’s quiet, cool, and private.
The scrub smelled divine and is particularly suited for those with rough or dry skin, trust us – softness is guaranteed.
But we were most floored by the personalised massage, which left us 110% relaxed. We dozed off a couple of times (it’s that good) and we’re happy to say we walked out tension- and knot-free. Definitely one of the best massages we’ve ever had.