Planning to wind down with a spa treatment or two? Our reviewer shares her experience at Fairmont Singapore’s Willow Stream Spa.
To visit a spa, you have to be in the right frame of mind. That means you have to leave all your work stresses behind and unclutter your mind. In order to enjoy the experience when I checked into Fairmont Singapore’s Willow Stream Spa, I had to do just that and remind myself not to feel guilty about having to relax for a couple of hours.
Welcome ritual
It was late Friday afternoon and the place wasn’t too crowded. The spa is open to both hotels guests as well as the public, so it’s probably best to go on a weekday afternoon when it’s less busy. The facilities here include a total of 23 treatment rooms alongside steam and sauna rooms, whirlpools and a cool plunge pool.
At the reception, I was served a cup of herbal tea and given a general form to fill. This is when you can also consult one of the Spa Experience Coordinators to select a treatment that suits you best. I was then escorted to a circular locker room to place my belongings and change into a plush robe and slippers.
Pre-massage pampering
Bring your swimsuit along if you want to take a dip in the pools, but come by at least 30 to 45 minutes before your treatment starts. There are three therapy pools: jacuzzi, hot bath pool and cold plunge pool, and these are said to help with blood circulation or relaxation. “The temperature for the hot bath ranges from 38 to 40 degree Celsius while the cold plunge ranges from 16 to 18 degree Celsius. Guests may dip into either of the pools in no particular order, as it is dependent on individual preference. However, they are encouraged to alternate between the hot and cold pools, to boost blood circulation within the body,” says director of Willow Stream Spa, Thea Huang. I decided to skip the pools and was led by my therapist to the treatment room instead.
The massage
I chose the 90-minute ‘Pure Ener.G’ signature treatment, which is meant to refresh and energise the body. It started with a footbath where my feet were lightly scrubbed with mineral salts, rinsed and dried before the exfoliation and massage began.
The room’s temperature was comfortable and the lighting pleasantly dim. While lying down on the massage bed, I was given a whiff of lavender and peppermint essential oil to help clear the mind and ease tension.
The therapist proceeded to exfoliate my back with an exclusive product by Kerstin Florian International. It is based on a fragrant blend of bergamot, rose geranium, clary sage and Roman chamomile accented with calming floral undertones. The exfoliant with its deep cleansing mineral salts, gently scrubs the skin, leaving it soft and moisturised. It’s also meant to stimulate circulation. The process was very relaxing and thorough. My therapist applied slow methodical strokes from my shoulder and back, down to my legs and feet. After a good 30 minutes had passed, it was done. I stepped into the ensuite shower to wash off the scrub. After the warm shower, my skin felt incredibly smooth. I was back on the massage bed, cocooned under fluffy towels and ready for a full body massage with moisturising oils.
Although the therapist informed me that this was a medium pressure massage, I would have liked it firmer. It felt quite mild to me and at one point, got a little ticklish. She also didn’t target all the points precisely even though I told her my shoulder was stiff. I was however incredibly relaxed and enjoyed the pampering session – which I wished didn’t have to end.
The wind down
When my treatment was over I was ushered into the relaxation lounge where guests are invited to unwind on the day beds and enjoy complimentary water, tea and fruits. If you have time after the treatment, you could also consider heading into the sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi.
Why go?
In a nutshell, this treatment is ideal for time-strapped business travellers or those who are jet-lagged and tired. This place is essentially a city spa, sans superfluous elements (there were no flower petals or skin/colour/mood analysis) that some other luxury spas offer. In fact, the process was pretty straightforward. But there were no short cuts of course. The spa staff was highly professional, warm and friendly. And if you really must go back to work after all this, you will at least feel completely rejuvenated.
Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Singapore Level 6, 80 Bras Basah Road. Tel: 6431 5600. Spa facility: 7am-10pm. The Pure Ener.g (90-minute) treatment is priced at S$289+.
More spa tatler_tatler_stories: