SPA RETREATS IN MALAYSIA

For those who want to get away from the stress and the hustle of everyday life, Malaysia offers an extensive choice of Spa Treatments and Experiences. Ranging from top-of-the-line, internationally acclaimed luxury resorts, to quaint urban havens of relaxation, from locations in sun kissed beaches to tropical rainforests, Malaysia provides a perfect backdrop for the Ultimate Spa Experience. Combining the best of ancient Asian traditions with modern beauty treatments, Malaysia offers a blend of holistic therapies in pristine natural environments, as well as in the heart of the city.

Kuala Lumpur

Puri Santi
Puri Santi is located 20 minutes from the town centre, in a private house in Damansara. Enjoy the skills of experienced hands as they knead your tensions away or indulge in the vast choice of individual or packaged treatments.
Address:
11, Jalan Gelanggang,
Damansara Heights,
50490, Kuala Lumpur
Facilities: Sauna, Massage, Body, Hair and Facial Treatment, Manicure, Pedicure


Samsara Spa, Swiss-Garden Resort
Located in the Swiss-Garden Hotel, the Samsara Spa offers a Balinese Spa with traditional and tropical treatments in the heart of Kuala Lumpur using traditional and natural ingredients.
Address:
117, Jalan Pudu,
55100 , Kuala Lumpur
Facilities: Hair Treatment, Pedicure, Reflexology
http://www.swissgarden.com
The Imperial Spa, Sheraton Imperial Hotel

The spa includes four single Ladies Spa Suites, four single Men's Spa Suites as well as separate male and female steam and sauna rooms. Its pride however, is the extensive Mandara Spa signature treatments with a choice of over twenty Facial, Body and Massage Treatments and Packages.
Address:
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250, Kuala Lumpur
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Massage, Body and Facial treatment, Manicure, Pedicure, Reflexology
http://www.mandaraspa.com/location/ malaysia/sher.htm

Perak

Pangkor Laut Resort Spa Village
Situated on a 0.46 square mile privately owned island, the Pangkor Laut Resort is truly a “unique island, unique resort” experience. The various treatments and programs are based on one of the four concepts of Rejuvenation and Longevity, Relaxation and Stress Reduction, Detoxification and Romance, to combine physical and spiritual well-being.
The Spa Village boasts of indoor and outdoor concepts spread over 174,240 square feet of land in a quiet bay facing the sea on one side and the rainforest on the other. Pangkor Laut Resort was voted the second best island destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveller (October 1999 issue) and consistently ranks high on international holiday resorts awards and accolades.
Address:
Pangkor Laut Island,
32200, Lumut, Perak
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Spa Pool, Massage, Body Treatment, T reatment P avilions, Chinese herbal, Aryuvedic and Malay "Healing Huts”, “Nap Gazebos”, Olympic-sized pool, Restaurant, Bar, Library , Spa Boutique , 22 Spa Villas
http://www.pangkorlaut.com

Samsara Spa, Swiss-Garden Resort & Spa Damai Laut
Facilities include a separate male and female sauna, indoor Jacuzzi, fitness centre, water sports and children's playground.
Address:
P.O. Box 21,
32200, Lumut, Perak
Facilities: Body & Hair Treatment, Foot Massage, Reflexology
http://www.swissgarden.com

Johor

Mandara Spa, Sofitel Palm Resort Hotel
The Mandara Spa Johor, is situated in one of Malaysia's premier resort hotels on the grounds of the Sofitel Palm Resort Hotel. The Spa offers a variety of Body, Traditional Asian Facial Treatments, as well as ‘Mandara Packages' in one of the four beautiful double spa villas, each with it's own private garden for ultimate relaxation. In addition, it has its own boutique and a full service salon.
Address:
Jalan Persiaran Golf,
81250 , Johor Bharu, Johor
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage, Body and Hair Treatment
http://www.mandaraspa.com/location/ malaysia/johor.htm

The Roman Spa, Eden Garden Hotel Johor
Reputed to be the biggest spa in southern Malaysia , this 26,000 square feet spa is inspired by the Roman culture. Its facilities include 20 massage rooms, 3 whirlpools, Steam, Sauna, Relaxation rooms as well as a cafeteria. They offer a choice of Shiatsu, Thai, Swedish and Aromatherapy massages.
Address:
88, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan
Stulang Laut,
80720 , Johor Bharu, Johor
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage
http://www.sriwani.com.my/dfz

Pahang

The Club Med Spa, Club Med Cherating
Ideally situated overlooking the South China Sea and surrounded by stretches of beautiful sandy beaches. Choose from the five single treatment rooms and choices of individual spa treatments or deluxe spa packages.
Address:
P.O. Box 140 , Kuantan,
2571 Cherating, Pahang
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage, Body Treatment, Manicure, Pedicure
http://www.mandaraspa.com/location/malaysia/cherating.htm

Terengganu

The Aryani Resort
Set amidst a charming fishing village and coconut groove, it was inspired by the ancient Malay Sultanate Palace Architecture and offers 20 elegant “villas” in a structure resembling a Malay courtyard. It offers indoor and outdoor traditional body treatments .
Address:
Jalan Rhu-Tapai-Merang,
21010 , Setiu, Terengganu
Facilities: Massage, Body Treatment , Swimming Pool, Personal Beach
http://www.thearyani.com

Sabah

The Mandara Spa, Sutera Harbour Resort
It consists of 6 double deluxe spa suites (each with their private steam room, 4 with an enclosed private courtyard garden and outdoor Jacuzzi, 2 with an indoor oversized bathtub overlooking the ocean), and 6 single spa suites. It offers the signature Mandara Spa facilities and body and facial treatments.
Address:
Sutera Harbour,
88100, Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage, Body and Facial treatment , Fitness Center , Boutique
http://www.mandaraspa.com/location/malaysia/kinibalu.htm

Kedah


Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort
Surrounded by ocean and beautiful sandy beaches, the Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort is an ideal getaway from city life. It offers total relaxation in an idyllic surrounding with a choice of Body Baths, Massages, Sauna and Body Treatments.
Address:
Karung Berkunci 200,
Burau Bay,
Langkawi, Kedah
Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage, Body Treatment
http://www. berjayaresorts.com

Casa Del Mar Langkawi
Enveloped in nature's tranquil surroundings – sun, sea and beaches, Casa Del Mar offers an opportunity to relax and unwind with a choice of Asian spa treatments, body massages and Body and Facial Treatments.
Address:
Jalan Pantai Cenang
Mukim Kedawang,
Langkawi, Kedah
Facilities: Gymnasium, Jacuzzi, Spa Gazebo, Sauna, Massage, Body Treatment
http://www. casadelmar-langkawi.com

Mandara Spa, The Datai Resort Hotel Langkawi
Surrounded by nature at its best - with virgin rainforest, sun, sea and unspoiled beaches, the Mandara Spa at The Datai offers you a fantastic spa experience. Choose from an impressive list of spa treatments and packages and be pampered in one of the 4 private double villas built along a stream – each with its own garden shower, huge bathtub, steam shower and a private balcony. Mandara Spa at The Datai has twice been awarded the #2 Overseas Hotel Spa worldwide ranking by the Conde Nast Traveller ( U.K. edition).
Address:
Datai Langkawi,
Jalan Teluk Datai,
Langkawi, Kedah

Facilities: Gymnasium, Sauna, Massage, Body Treatment
http://www.mandaraspa.com/location/ malaysia/datai.htm

Energy day spa Ampang & Mont Kiara

We are Energy Day Spa, and our main centre is located at Level 4 of Great Eastern Mall. Energy opened its doors to Kuala Lumpur's new-age and Zen-health conscious society on the 1st of January 2003. That year, Energy brought a fresh and different approach to wellbeing, by offering a fully equipped Pilates & movement studio, an Alternative and Life enhancement clinic, Spa & Beauty treatments and a multi-activity studio featuring lifestyle activities such like Yoga, Tai Ji Quan, Qi Gong, Meditation; and also as a venue conducting holistic workshops. Having been open in Ampang for over two years, we recently won the coveted Asia Pacific’s Spa Asia Crystal Award 2004 for Best Day Spa, now Energy opens another door in

MontKiara this January 2005.

Energy at MontKiara offers a wide range of spa body & beauty treatments, a Spa shop retailing Elixir Skin care and Biossential’s spa range among other holistic products.

Energy at MontKiara also offers a resort feel to the environment with décor elements of natural wood, stone and water. The tranquility, serene ambience with aromatic scent & soothing music will first stimulate customers' sense of sight, smell and sound. They will definitely indulge in the sense of touch when our therapist work those attuned fingers on them, quite like Energy at Ampang.

Energy not only offers body, beauty treatments and spa services to our customers, we strive to maintain total wellness living and restore balance in the elements of a person, of which is the body, mind and spirit. We believe that beauty is not limiting to only physical appearance but most importantly, beauty achieved through harmony of the three elements of the human being. Hence, it is important to nourish our inner soul by cultivating a healthy lifestyle. At Energy, not only are we looking forward to you taking the steps to achieving health and inner beauty balance, we also assist you to feeling good spiritually.

In today's hectic and stressful lifestyle, many have set on the journey in search of the holistic approach. Withvarious beauty treatments and alternative activities, we are amongst many that would give us the competitive edge against others who promote beauty & spas. However, we at Energy combine various activities to offer a greater level of reaching total wellness and inner harmony.

The Malaysian Spa Culture

By William Ng

If you have always wanted to try out a spa, but are confused with the myriad of centres calling themselves ‘spas’, fret not, for here’s a run-down on the Malaysian spa culture and scene.

So you have been to a few spas. Perhaps tried out most of the treatments available. Then good for you. For the majority of the people out there, however, it’s not always a clear cut case of walking into a spa and getting your money worth. Often, you don’t get what you expect. Why’s that?

Spas in Malaysia have some nasty connotations to it. Ask your parents. They will tell you it’s a place you shouldn’t go. “Don’t be naughty, eh”.

Which is completely unfair to our burgeoning spa industry, of course. Many spas and wellness centres that have mushroomed over the past few years have invested huge amount of money, expertise and passion into building some of the most talked-about spas in the region. In fact, we are fast becoming the next spa destination in Asia, and our industry growth is the envy of many.

But when is a spa, a spa?

Jumping on the bandwagon of the current frenzy for everything spa-ish, are the mom-and-pop beauty salons and massage centres. Whilst there’s absolutely nothing wrong with such decent businesses, they are not technically a spa.

The general consensus in the industry is that a spa should contain several treatment rooms, offer a variety of treatments, have professionally trained therapists and have an ambience that soothes and relaxes.

In most spas, you should be able to obtain a massage therapy, and have the option for facials, exfoliation (body scrubs), body wraps, floral bath and so on. You will often be led through a series of consultations before you choose a treatment that’s suitable for you and that fits your budget and time. Some spas will go to the extent of offering ‘spa cuisine’ or healthy meals that’s low in calorie, fat-free and high in vitamins.

As a good spa focuses on relaxation and rejuvenation, you shouldn’t be made to go through lengthy sales pitches disguised as consultations and told to swipe your credit card for treatments you haven’t even decided on. If I’m you, I walk out from such establishments. Fast.

And a real spa don’t have skimpily dressed ladies at its entrances, nor allow you to choose your ‘masseur’. In fact, spas no longer use the term masseurs, in favour of the term ‘therapist’ as it’s not uncommon to have therapists spending up to a year in classes to learn academic and practical aspects of spa therapies.

Day spa vs. destination spa

As spas are each unique, the industry segments itself into various categories. It’s very much like hotels: you have 5 star, 4 star, etc, and you have seaside resort, city hotel, inns, and so on.

The most common type of spas is the day spa. This is very similar to beauty salons, in that you only visit the spa for the duration of your treatment, and when you are done – off you go. The difference is this: a day spa would have more variety of treatments than a typical salon, and focuses on pampering and rejuvenation instead of beauty and slimming. Which doesn’t mean a day spa does not offer facials and slimming, as most does.

A destination spa on the other hand, is built into a resort and is often the key attraction of the resort they are in. Some destination spas in fact, are entire resorts, and you cannot opt to just book a room – you need to take up the whole package. Which is why the new term hotel / resort spa has emerged, to describe spas that are based in a hotel or resort but is not the raison d’etre of their hosts. Similar to day spas, but often larger and more elaborate, destination spas also offer longer treatment sessions. A half day (3 to 4 hours) or full day (6 to 8 hours) is common, and you’re likely to see multiple day spa packages as well.

Day spa and destination spa asides, there’s now a multitude of new types of spas. Medical spa are gaining popularity in Europe and Japan, and don’t be surprised to see one in Malaysia very soon. A medical spa is essentially a day or destination spa that also provides medical treatments, usually skin-related, although treatments of allergy, high-blood pressure and other lifestyle diseases are common. A medical spa is run by a healthcare professional, and offers a combination of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) and spa therapies. A cruise ship spa and club spa are self explanatory.

A new trend is to have ‘specialist spas’ such as ‘nail spa’ or ‘hair spa’. These are of course not spas proper, but there’s no way to stop enterprising people from using the term. At least in these cases, you know what to expect.

Too expensive or too cheap?

For some, parting with RM 800 for a full day spa package seems like a small sum for a whole day of luxury and pampering. But to some, RM 100 for a one-hour reflexology seems like a rip-off when street-side peddlers are offering them at RM30. So, how much do you pay for a spa treatment?

The going price for a one-hour spa session in Kuala Lumpur is RM 80 to RM 250. The price you pay of course depends on the ambience, location, treatment, experience of therapists and facilities available. Like hotels, there’s various kind of categories – the more stars they have on that little board behind the reception, the more you should expect to fork out.

As spa visits are often very personal, even intimate in nature, you should not settle for anything less than a clean, professional environment. If you are offered a treatment for a lot less, be wary. Your therapist may be self-learned or worse, completely untrained – and you walk away with a back-sore and more problems in the future. If you can’t afford to go regularly to a good spa, then it’s better to save for an irregular session, than to visit a street-side establishment with dubious training and certification, that uses cooking oil (yes, it happens!) to massage you.

Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006

For a good choice of spas and wellness centres, including yoga studios and fitness centres – visit Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1 to 3 December 2006. Visit www.aswf2006.com for more info.

The writer is the Publisher and Editor of 5 Senses, Asia’s leading spa and wellness magazine. He can be reached at william@5senses.com.my

credits: thestar.com.my