Working too hard and too much? Find out where to go for the most relaxing and rejuvenating spa experiences in Singapore here. It’s time to pamper yourself.
Chi, The Spa at Shangri-la Hotel Singapore is luxurious yet down to earth, perfect for those who want something of top-notch quality without unnecessary frills. It’s situated near the hotel’s pool, giving it a relaxing resort vibe.
Upon entering, I was welcomed with brown wooden walls that warmed up the entire place. The soft lighting and cosy ambience set my mood at ease almost immediately.
I arranged to have two different treatments done back to back, as suggested by the experts at the spa. They were the Lava Shell Therapy massage and Kerstin Florian Classic Facial.
The Lava Shell Therapy massage uses heat (thermotherapy) to ease muscle stiffness and promote deep relaxation. I was a little apprehensive about the idea of heated lava shells at first, but that thought went out of my mind the moment the masseuse got started on the session.
She started by spreading warmed oil across my back and went on to press the heated lava shells onto key points to relax my muscles, before using the smooth side of the shells to massage my torso and limbs. I dozed off halfway through the massage and only got up because I had to flip over! After the massage, I felt really rested and all my stress and tension have been released.
The Kerstin Florian classic facial treatment includes a skin analysis, gentle exfoliation, a facial massage to promote circulation and a nourishing masque application, finished off with an antioxidant cream. What I like about the facial are the natural skincare products based on, herbal extracts and essential oils for healthy vibrant skin.
After both treatments, I was whisked off to a cosy post-treatment lounge to rest on comfortable sofa chairs and enjoy light refreshments before heading to the luxurious shower to freshen up.
My experience at Chi, The Spa was truly stellar and befitting of Shangri-la’s five-star rating. —Cheng Jee Yan, fashion writer
Lava Shell Therapy massage (60 minutes), $180++, Kerstin Florian classic facial treatment (60 minutes), $170++, Chi, The Spa is located within Shangri-la hotel at 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350. For full spa menu and reservations, see here.
When I first stepped into the Away spa situated at the basement of the W Singapore hotel, I was captivated by its cool, rainforest design interior. It eschewed the de rigeur dark wood finishings of hotel spas and replaced it with modern furniture and cool marble pieces. It had a very refreshing atmosphere.
I would suggest that you bring your swimwear to the spa and schedule ample time before (and after if you’d like) your treatment to enjoy the Away Spa’s Vitality and Herbal pools. It helps you calm your mind and get into the mood for your massage.
I tried the Away Signature classic full body massage, and I must say, that this is my personal favourite and I would highly recommend it. This treatment uses a lot of swedish massage techniques and is best suited for anyone who is looking to recharge from a long hectic night out.
My therapist Eve, definitely has the midas touch that only very experienced therapists develop over the years. Before the treatment, I indicated that I enjoy medium to strong pressure and would like to focus on my aching legs.
She could read my muscles like a book, and knew exactly when to increase and decrease the pressure accordingly. I was lulled into a full 90 minutes of pure bliss. There’s also a very lovely private outdoor shower for you to freshen up if need be.
I concluded my invigorating treatment at the “Refuel” corner that has some beverages and healthy snacks. I’d suggest that you go for the ginger tea! I don’t normally take ginger but this tea was really comforting and was the perfect finishing note I needed for this amazing experience.
Tip: Don’t be late for your session! They are always booked back to back, especially during weekends so they will have to shorten your treatment duration if you are late. —Cheng Jee Yan, fashion writer
Away massage (90 minutes), $250++, Away Spa, W Singapore, 21 Ocean Way, Singapore. For full spa menu and reservations, see here.
Calla Spa is a glimpse of heaven in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of urban living. The entrance is located at the far most corner of Suntec City Tower 2 and looks very unassuming.
When I stepped in for a tour, I was really surprised to discover that the spa actually spans over 10,000 square feet! The operators of Calla Spa pride themselves as having a one-stop centre that offers a complete therapeutic head-to-toe respite.
I tried the signature Calla massage that lasted for about 60 minutes. Prior to the session, I was asked to fill in a form about my preference for the intensity of the massage and if I had any specific areas that I would like to focus on. I requested more attention around the shoulder areas because I always get knots due to long hours of sitting.
The massage was done in a cosy room and featured an interesting blend of traditional finger point pressure and Swedish massage techniques. The masseuse began with long sweeping strokes and then went on to my work on my pain points with muscle kneading and rolling. By the end of the session I felt that these pesky knots were all released and there was a certain spring to my step.
Apart from the great selection of treatments, Calla Spa also boasts a wide array of facilities such as mineral pools, sauna, lounge area with reclining sofa seats and a personal touch screen with the latest movies and last but not least, a bistro that serves up casual fine dining dishes.
For most of the treatments, you will enjoy an unlimited usage of all the facilities. Alternatively, if you are just feeling stressed and want somewhere therapeutic to unwind, you can opt for the ‘Spa journey’ service. You get full access to the facilities with varying durations.
The best way to enjoy Calla Spa? I would recommend you set aside one full day, free of any work or family obligations and spend some quality time to treat your mind and body. —Cheng Jee Yan, fashion writer
Calla signature massage (60 minutes), $98++. Calla Spa is located at Suntec City Mall Tower 2, North Wing, 3 Temasek Blvd #01-500 – 504, Singapore 038983. For full spa menu and reservations, see here.
The knowledge of the beauticians at The Fullerton Spa is exceptional, they really know how to tailor treatments according to your skin type, and the masseuse I had was super attentive to my body’s needs, as well as giving me lots of general advice on how to deal with skin issues.
However, the overall ambiance of the spa rooms isn’t really up to the five star service and treatment, which is a real shame, considering the full body massage and deep cleansing facial I had were exactly what they said on the tin!
For the price and calibre of the hotel, it would be nice have a more luxe-feeling treatment room. The pre and post-treatment lounges were lovely though, with fresh fruit and tea available to sip whilst you wind down.
I would highly recommend The Ultimate Indulgence for a weekend spa pick-me-up, as your body will be relaxed from top to toe. You can choose from a sensory aromatherapy full body massage or a more intense muscle release therapy followed by a deep cleanse facial (which involves light extraction and is great for unclogging) or an aromatic rose facial.
The option to customise your treatment according to your skin and body’s needs is amazing and the staff were super accommodating if you had a specific area you needed more work on. All the products smelt amazing and are provided by cult UK company Aromatherapy Associates. — Jennifer McGeever, fashion writer
The Ultimate Indulgence, 120 minutes, ++, make a booking online here where you can view their full spa treatment list. The Fullerton Spa is located at 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178.
I can’t recommend the Auriga spa at Capella enough! It was quite honestly a revolutionary spa experience that raised the bar for of what to expect from a five-star spa for me. From the moment I entered the complex (which is extensive) the staff were so welcoming, attentive and lovely, and as I’m a complete stickler for customer service standards, when I say the service was impeccable, I mean it.
Make sure to get there early (I’d suggest 45 minutes to an hour) to enjoy the facilities prior to your treatment, they include a headily scented sauna which made me feel relaxed and relieved work stresses within a few aromatic sniffs; a whirlpool with a submerged lounger you can relax on and hot and cold showers that make you feel like you’re in a tropical rainforest. I experienced the de-stressing back, face and scalp treatment and it was complete bliss.
The therapist took note of the body parts I’d highlighted on a form I’d filled in before entering the facilities, and she took the time to go through with me what I wanted from the experience and exactly what it would entail. She even explained what the different oils used were helpful for and went on to ask if the temperature of the room was okay, down to 0.5 of a degree!
The treatment was completely holistic and relaxing to the point where I almost fell asleep, always the sign of a good massage. The products used were all organic and all the treatments at the spa are based on the moon’s phases, so there are meditative elements incorporated into every treatment. When my masseuse asked me to focus on taking three deep breaths and releasing negative thoughts and energy from my body, it enabled me to focus as much on letting my mind unwind as my body.
I loved that the body massage also included light facial cleansing and an oil scalp massage, so every inch of you felt completely de-stressed. This is definitely a treatment to have if you’re planning to go straight home (or relax in your Capella room after) as the oils are supposed to be left in overnight for best effect, and you won’t be wanting to put makeup on or have an evening out when you’re riding on a cloud of relaxation.
To conclude the five-star experience, my masseuse took me to a lounge post-treatment to put my feet up in a massage lounger, snack on wholesome nuts and sip on tea. The Auriga spa is an absolute must if you’re in need of a half-day away from the world, or why not make a weekend of it and go on staycation? This spa is worth every cent. — Jennifer McGeever, fashion writer
De-stress back, face and scalp treatment (90 minutes), $250++, Auriga signature massage 90 minute treatments (vary according to the moon’s phases), $250++, 60 minutes at 180++. For reservations call + 65 6591 5023 or email spa.singapore@capellahotels.com. The Auriga spa is located at Capella, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, 098297. For a full spa menu see here.
It’s hard to feel like royalty when my mornings are spent packed in a throng of twenty-something OLs, briefcase-wielding businessmen and the odd secondary school student, but stepping into So Spa put that crown right back on my head.
One of the things I really appreciated was the amount of attention they paid to the details, from the staff’s service right down to the ambience. The entire compound is so cleverly designed to transport you away from the drudgery of work, making it too easy to forget the work emails that need replying to. On that note, however, I’d recommend keeping your phone with you if you’d like some envy-invoking Instagram images.
I tried the So Abhyanga Massage and the Instant-Glow facial that lasted an hour and 45 minutes respectively. The treatment was customised to my preference and needs (I had extremely tense shoulders, so she spent more time there), and I’ll openly admit: I was already struggling to stay awake barely halfway through the massage.
As for the facial, I was hoping for some light extraction of my blackheads, but the Instant-Glow package didn’t come with it. I did get a soothing facial massage complete with a mask that made me feel radiant, so no big complaints here.
The one regret I do have, though, was not making full use of all the amenities. If your appointment is set to end after 6.30pm, then be sure to arrive at least an hour earlier to cleanse in the mudpool or enjoy the sauna. — Emily Joosten, intern
So Abhyanga Massage (60 minutes) $180++, Instant Glow Green Tea Facial (45 minutes), $140++, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa is located at 2 Bukit Manis Road Sentosa, Singapore 099891. For full spa menu and reservations, see here.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of North Bridge Road, TaraBliss spa is indeed a hidden gem.
They offer a good range of facial treatments, and one of their star treatments is the Méthode Jeanne Piaubert lymphatic drainage face treatment. It is aimed designed to get your micro-circulation going and to drain the lymph nodes on your face, décolleté and neck that might be causing water retention.
The room was relatively spacious, dimly lit, and was warm without being too hot, making me feel comfortable very quickly. The masseuse started with basic cleansing, and went on to do some light extraction of my blackheads. After which, she massaged my face using the patented Méthode Jeanne Piaubert massage technique. It was quite a detailed pressure point massage all over the face.
She was very gentle, which made the whole process very relaxing, to the point where I actually fell asleep. The treatment wrapped up with a moisturising soothing mask. I liked how my skin looked after the treatment. It feel tight but not dry, and I could see a subtle glow from within.
I would recommend this place if you are are looking for a fuss-free perk me up facial for dehydrated and tired skin. — Cheng Jee Yan, fashion writer
Méthode Jeanne Piaubert slim face lymphatic drainage treatment (90 minutes), $288++, exclusively at TaraBliss Spa. TaraBliss Spa is located at #05/06-00 Chan Brothers Building, 452 North Bridge Road. For full spa menu and reservations, see here.