Devialet and Plateau Spa's Voyage des Sens experience takes you on a sensory journey of Hong Kong.
If the sound of lapping waves lull you to sleep—it sure does for me—then Devialet’s “Voyage des Sens” treatment is one to try. Far from the ordinary massage with pre-packaged spa music, this bespoke 60-minute treatment created in collaboration with Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Plateau Spa is a creative experiment that highlights the power of sound in helping people relax and recharge. A bonus: it will also take you on a journey around Hong Kong’s hidden gems.
Unbeknownst to many, Hong Kong is a city teeming with natural beauty, with 40 per cent of protected forest reserves and a handful of rustic, outlying islands. This marked contrast against the hectic hum of the city proper is exactly what Devialet wanted to capture. Working with Karma Sound Studios, the luxury audio company recorded the natural cadences of the Fragrant Harbour and developed it into a tranquil soundtrack that enhances the massage experience. Sounds good, feels good—what’s not to like?
When I entered the streamlined, self-contained rooms of the luxurious Plateau Spa, I was greeted by quintessential Hong Kong—the sound of weaving through crowds with the energetic beat of the pedestrian crossing thrown in for good measure. The rest of the massage, however, presented a different audio landscape beginning with the sound of water—recorded from ferries crossing the Victoria Harbour, as well as raindrops in the New Territories—followed by the sound rustling leaves, which, in actuality was wind blowing over Dragon's Back, a popular hiking trail.
What transpires afterwards was lost to me—I resisted the urge to fall asleep but I did anyway, a testament to just how relaxing it is (or perhaps my lack of self-control). I woke up towards the end of the treatment to the sound of a typical teahouse: the clatter of cups, pouring of tea, and soft chatter.
