ASIA
AWAY SPA, W BEIJING CHANG’AN
BEIJING, CHINA
At night, an unmissable, giant “W” shines brightly across the façade of the latest Asian property in this glamorous, fashion-forward, and super-duper gay-friendly hotel brand’s portfolio. Slick design riffs on local iconography can be found throughout the monolithic 349-room property: golden dumplings line the wall of restaurant The Kitchen Table, plus loads of shiny bling in the W Lounge (e.g. an LED-illuminated catwalk), 25th-floor X25 nightclub, heated indoor WET pool, and a truly unique, immersive AWAY Spa. Located on the third floor, this 4,429-square-foot spa adopts a theme of honey. Yellow, pollen ochre, and brown rules the reception area, honeycomb shapes are evoked through design details, and whimsical plush bee figures serve as mascots (to my disappointment, these weren’t yet available to purchase or take home during my visit). The nine treatment rooms, two of which are suites, also boast futuristic colored lights that can be dialed to the customer’s preferred color therapy hue: purple is W’s default setting since it’s believed to hold spiritual and healing benefits (guest bedrooms include a touch-control colored light panel). Treatments range from Chinese staples like foot reflexology called the The Footie ($93), a men’s Look Marvelous Facial (60 min/$141), and, for those seeking an infusion of youthful firmness after a moisture-sucking flight or prolonged exposure to Beijing’s infamous air pollution, the 90-minute Lift Up Facial ($222). I settled on AWAY’s signature 90-minute Honey Sweet ($159). A sweetly scented honey scrub and rinse kicks things off, and then a soothing yet thorough massage with honey-infused oil. The scent was delicious, and by the time it was over, I was primed to gorge on honey itself. Fortunately, a post-treatment honey-lemon elixir and cake awaited (the elixir is also on tap in the FIT gym). More of a fruit than honey person? Opt for the 90-minute Forever Glam ($174), which includes a pineapple, guava, cucumber, and mandarin orange juice extract scrub and detoxifying wrap. www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels
— Lawrence Ferber
THE SPA, 137 PILLARS HOUSE
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
There are 78 employees working for the 30-suite 137 Pillars House, which should give an indication of just how well attended this gorgeous, verdant getaway is. One of Chiang Mai’s most romantic, elegant, and breathtaking properties, a highlight of the lushly landscaped grounds, the 25-meter-long swimming pool is juxtaposed against a sprawling living wall—it’s also rich with history. The namesake 1800’s house was once occupied by Louis Leonowens, son of the beloved Anna from The King And I/Anna and the King of Siam. As for pampering, the mansion-like two-level The Spa offers a wide-range of treatments, and 137 Pillars House guests can also indulge with in-room spa baths utilizing deliriously aromatic Thai herbs and ingredients. The spa building’s décor is uncomplicated, with subtle Thai carvings and detail, and a subdued, calming color palette. All visits commence with a sea salt and plant extract foot wash, an application of frankincense oil for relaxing effect, and in the case of aromatherapy-related treatments, a choice of bespoke-scented oils. For a taste of traditional Thai technique, the 90- minute Luk Pra Kob Massage ($94) is heavy on stretching and pressure- point manipulation, while the one-hour Foot Blast ($65) is reflexology on steroids…or more accurately, a ginger and coffee hot wrap to rejuvenate tired feet. Deep Recharge Men’s Facial (60 min/$85) uses lavender, ylang ylang, and tea tree oils for their antibacterial properties, while a scalp and arm massage helps melt the time away. I decided on the two-hour Sukhothai Surrender ($142), a massage and bath combination. It’s an aromatherapy oil massage using Swedish stroking techniques plus hot compresses. And the bath with Kaffir lime, galangal, and Thai herbs was absolutely succulent and relaxing. (No, I didn’t sip any. Not that I wasn’t tempted.) www.snhcol-lection.com/137pillarshouse
— Lawrence Ferber
Okeanos Spa
NORTH AMERICA
THE SPA AT SILK ROAD
VICTORIA, BC, CANADA
This one falls under the “hidden gem” category, although talk about hiding in plain sight. The Spa at Silk Road happens to be one of the most popular local brands and businesses in Victoria, B.C., known and beloved for its sumptuous, high-end organic teas. Their bright and bustling Chinatown flag- ship store is a tea lovers’ destination-worthy mecca for all things steeped, from signature and seasonal leaf blends (Candy Cane Herbal! Sour Cherry Green Tea!) to artful and quirky contemporary tea ware and accessories. Yet shoppers may notice they also stock a custom line of organic, plant, and essential oil-based aromatherapy bath and body products, which happen to be used in a range of spa treatments in their hidden, intimate basement-level spa. While only three treatment rooms make up the spa, this is a full-service delight. One does feel far removed from the outside world in the small yet comfortable space once making their way down the staircase, although some sound from the store does come through the ceiling. The one-hour or 90- minute massage, ($57 and $80) amalgamates Swedish and acupressure techniques and is customized to your preferences (neck and shoulders, please). The two-hour Floating Cloud ($89) pairs a facial and massage, although even more extensive packages with scrubs and wraps can also be selected. This being tea heaven, the one-hour Green Tea Facial ($42) seemed a natural fit, and involved applications of both antioxidant-rich green tea and also some essential oils, plus a face massage. The massage, meanwhile, really helped work out the kinks with its deep yet tender strokes, and I so loved the aromatherapy and massage oils used that I bought a few bottles as gifts (mostly for myself) as well as Silk Road’s utterly wonderful, invigorating liquid soaps like Heaven (with lavender, clary sage, marjoram, and sweet orange). Of course, spa visits include some actual tea drinking, which is reason enough to come by. www.silkroadteastore.com
— Lawrence Ferber
SPA, FOUR SEASONS RESORT WHISTLER
WHISTLER, BC, CANADA
Billed as North America’s largest ski resort, and a site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler is also a brisk summer destination thanks to hiking, mountain biking, golfing, and spa getaways. Four Seasons’ luxury lodge styled, 237-room alpine resort property is home to superb, heavenly spa facilities ideal for any season, and the outdoor heated pool is especially dynamic a sight and sensation during winter, steam wafting upward. Creamy tones dominate the Spa and its reception area, while local organic ingredients and top-tier international products are put to use in their extensive range of treatments. The menu includes an “Eastern Treatments” section featuring reflexology, shiatsu, Thai, Reiki, and a heated wildflower compress massage. A men’s selection titled “Mountain Men Bar” including manicure/pedicure, facial and the Rugged Man Scrub and Massage (50 min/$122). Other treatments include “Signatures” like the 80-minute Sea-To-Sky ($187), and Aprés-Ski (50 min $133) massages, and even four “Glacier Kids” options, a Strawberry Sundae Massage and Scrub (50 min/$100), for teens and pre-teens. I opted for the 100- minute Signature Treatment ($240) and 50-minute Men’s Custom Facial ($123). The session began with a maple syrup and brown-sugar scrub and rain shower. Next, I was covered in a warm clay and algae wrap, and while it drew out toxins and nourished me, my scalp was massaged with Argan oil. After a lengthy shower to remove the sticky dark paste from my skin, I savored a full body massage, which involved a lot of stretching and use of the therapist’s elbows and knuckles to unlock my woeful, chronically stiff neck, shoulder, and thigh muscles. The facial, meanwhile, literally put me to sleep as it was so relaxing, while the ointments, cleansers and salves smelled intensely delicious. A cucumber yogurt cream at one point, and to finish, a citrus mimosa- scent- ed organic mineral sunscreen from Australia’s Coola (a full list of products used wasprovided afterward), made me ready to face the high-altitude elements. www.fourseasons.com/whistler
— Lawrence Ferber
