Hong Kong’s Chuan Spa – Flowing Water

by Rachael Glazier
Posted in: Asia Day Spas Spa Reviews by Location on August 30, 2005 at 4:06 pm |

Possibly the most breathtaking room is the touch room, where clients can have a foot spa while sitting in the aptly named tranquility chairs, drinking in the view of Kowloon and the new territories through the ceiling to floor windows.

huan Spa s official opening in June makes it the latest to join a glamorous lineup of spas in Hong Kong. It is situated on the 40th floor of the five-star Langham Place Hotel in the bustling district of Kowloon. Upon entering the tranquil spa, all thoughts of the crowded and humid market streets below are forgotten as the welcoming staff usher you into the spa cafe where a bank of windows offers a stunning panoramic view of Hong Kong island.

Chuan means flowing water in Cantonese, and the spa, designed in collaboration with a Feng Shui master, reflects this with the lulling sound of water heard throughout. A sheet of water cascades down a wall on the walk to the treatment rooms and a second water feature is nestled in the corridor. There are three wet rooms, four dry rooms, one hydrotherapy room, a touch room which is used for pedicures and manicures and a VIP room. The rooms are decorated in a modern Chinese style. Dark wood contrasts with pale walls, and splashes of bright color are provided by flowers and silk cushions. All rooms are available for two people, ideal for persuading a reluctant partner along, and for the truly decadent there is the VIP room, Spirit, complete with private hot-tub which even before its upcoming refurbishment is fabulously opulent. The hydrotherapy room is an unusual and expensive use of space in a region where real estate is at a premium, and so offers Hong Kong residents a rare opportunity to try water therapy.

Possibly the most breathtaking room is the touch room, where clients can have a foot spa while sitting in the aptly named tranquility chairs, drinking in the view of Kowloon and the new territories through the ceiling to floor windows. I visited in the daytime but one look at the view made me wish that it was night-time, as I imagine that having my nails polished while looking at the lights of Hong Kong before a night out would be hard to beat. Barry White, the spa director, agrees that the view is amazing and says that the spa is transformed at night, with guests able to choose if the curtains are left open to let in the night sky in any of the rooms during their treatments.

The concept is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and we focus on the five elements earth, wood, water, fire and metal to ensure that guests receive the most benefit from their time here.

Chuan Spa stands out from others thanks to its focus on ancient Chinese remedies for the mind, body and soul. We started with a standard quest for a spa experience and then moved it up to another level with our signature treatments, explains White. The concept is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and we focus on the five elements earth, wood, water, fire and metal to ensure that guests receive the most benefit from their time here. Our signature products were created by a TCM doctor in conjunction with our label.

There are over 60 treatments available, such as the Tao of Detox (HK$1500), a two and a half hour treatment which includes full body exfoliation, a warm marine algae wrap, acupressure massage on the shoulders and neck, and a facial.

The Radiant Revival (HK$850), is an hour long facial which restores elasticity and hydration to the skin with an intensive oxygen booster.

There are many massages on offer, starting at HK$725 for an hour long Chuan Balancing massage, which uses acupressure with the aim of improving the circulation of Chi, the body s life force.

Cool Clarity (HK$750) is perfect for those who want to focus on a problem area such as upper arms, stomach or legs. After exfoliation a cold marine wrap is applied, and a scalp massage and face cleanse are an enjoyable way to wait for the mask to work its magic.

Feet Retreat (HK$600), offers an aromatic foot compress before softening the feet with a warm oil and herbal salt exfoliation. A foot mask is then applied and this, combined with reflexology techniques, gives an hour of pampering.

There are a number of dedicated treatments especially for men including A Man s World (HK$850), an hour and a quarter of back exfoliation and massage, finished off with a facial cleanse.

A quick treatment for those who have been enjoying the nightlife Hong Kong has to offer is the 30 minute Native Collagen Eye (HK$550). A pressure point massage is applied to the eye area before a collagen mask is applied, reducing fine lines and banishing dehydration.

The nine qualified therapists, while fully trained to carry out the signature treatments, are not TCM practitioners but will gladly refer you to a recommended TCM doctor if requested. White is keen to stress, We are offering an holistic approach that includes educating people about TCM so that they get as much out of the experience as possible – an all encompassing treatment .

Each guest is given a questionnaire to fill in so that the therapist can identify which element is most out of balance and so tailor the treatment accordingly. I answered questions such as what season do you most enjoy (late summer) and how have you been feeling lately (overexcited I was on holiday after all!). As weather and moods vary on a daily basis the questionnaire is issued for every visit as the balance of the elements will fluctuate. After studying the questionnaire, it was time for the sensory test. I was offered two essential oils to smell and decide which I most closely identified with. My element for the day was wood.

I was led to the changing rooms which contained a steam room, sauna, showers and a sumptuous, dark stone hot tub with flowers floating in it. Chuan has been created as a day spa, and for a minimum treatment spend of HK$725, guests can spend the entire day lolling around in the hot tub with occasional breaks in the rooftop swimming pool. I reluctantly left the changing room for my first treatment, a Harmony massage, with Anna Lau. This is described as a unique mind, body and soul experience that stimulates meridian harmony, using a combination of acupressure and relaxing massage. Anna concentrated on my back, especially my lower back, ideal for stretching out my spine after my long flight.

Using the wood massage oil Anna worked initially on my neck, having first checked that I was comfortable with both the temperature of the room and the pressure she was using. As she expertly massaged my spine I found it very soothing and, while I couldn t honestly tell you if my meridians were in harmony, it was incredibly effective as all my knots had vanished. At the end of the treatment she left me to relax for a few minutes, a dangerous thing to do with a blissfully massaged person still suffering from jetlag as I could have happily slept there for a few hours.

Anna returned and I managed to wake up enough for the next treatment, an Aromatic Bliss facial using Thalgo products, a marine-based range that ties in with the water theme of the spa. Humidity, air conditioning and a twelve-hour flight from the UK had all conspired to make my complexion dry, blotchy and grey, not the best way to start a holiday in a place where every bar seems to be exclusively populated by people who actually remember to apply moisturizer when flying, unlike, well, me.

Fortunately, Anna was more th
an capable of correcting this as she explained how my skin had been affected and what treatment she was going to use. First she cleaned my lips and eyes, followed by cleansing, toning and exfoliating the rest of my face. She then sprayed a mist before applying a rehydrating mask that my poor skin sucked up in less than ten minutes. Anna explained that mist sprays were ideal for keeping skin hydrated in Hong Kong s air conditioning, and so she applied another coating of the mist before finishing off with moisturizer and an eye contour cream. My skin felt smooth and looked healthy with no sign of my previous grey pallor a complete transformation. After a short massage on my shoulders and neck to help me adjust to finally sitting up, I was left to get dressed before joining Anna outside the room. She then led me to one of the two relaxation rooms where she explained my treatment and offered more advice on keeping my skin in its present state.

The two relaxation rooms each have three beds with individual reading lamps and earphones with a choice of soft music. Curtains can be pulled around part of the beds for those wanting semi-privacy but as my sister had just appeared from her invigorating Chuan Stone massage (said to balance yin and yang energies) with Karen Lee, I left the curtain tied back. For those without company there is a selection of magazines to read. We were both brought tea that was linked to our elements (my sister was earth) and while mine was a pleasant, strong ginger brew my sister s was an unusual flavor that wasn t quite to her taste. Dried apricots and pineapple rings were offered as delicious spa snacks.

After treatments those who wish to can indulge in the spa cafe where the menu offers food that again is linked to the five elements, including dishes such as beef carpaccio and Sichuan chili chicken.

Chuan Spa opened in Melbourne this year as well as Hong Kong, with the Langham Hotels International group planning launches in London, Boston and Auckland over the next 12 months.

Chuan Spa

Langham Place Hotel
555 Shanghai Street
Mongkok, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 3552 3510

For a full treatment listing go to:
www.chuanspa.com

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