DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE, ST GREGORY SPA AT PAN PACIFIC HOTEL
The treatment: This fuss-free treatment is for the busy man looking to slot in a quick lunchtime pampering. The back-to-basics deep tissue massage does what it promises and presents a to-the-point deep tissue massage for men who are pressed for time.
The experience: The massage starts with light oil drizzle, after which the therapist performs the treatment starting from the back and working towards the extremities. Do note that the oil is pretty light and quickly absorbed, providing just enough lubrication for the skin; unlike most traditional deep tissue massage that uses heavier oils. A plus, if you’re heading back to the office, and hate to have your skin feeling sticky. Though the pressure applied by the therapist is adjustable according to your feedback, it’s highly recommended for those new to deep tissue massages, since it’s less strenuous compared to others we’ve tried.
What we love: The treatment is less product-centric and more about the overall experience, perfect for guys who might be overwhelmed by the various oils, choices and options that are usually presented in a massage treatment. The spa is also divided into separate male and female sections, so for men who are newbies to spa pampering, the male-centric room will be great for some alone time away from womenfolk.
Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, tel: 6826 8140, www.stgregoryspa.com
ALPHA MALE, THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL
The treatment: Carried out in one of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental’s exclusive VIP suites, this treatment offers the utmost privacy. While the spa package covers head-to-toe treatments, it does away with the fluff and gets to the practical side of pampering (scrubs, detox steam, and Thai deep tissue massage).
The experience: The three-hour session starts with a Tibetan foot bath to soak your tired feet as the therapist massages and scrubs dead skin cells off feet and legs. The soak sets the tone for the treatment as you relax and settle into the surrounding, before moving on to the full body scrub. Choice of scrub includes coarse sea salt or fine olive seeds depending on your preferred exfoliation intensity. The 30-minute body scrub exfoliates the skin to slough off dead skin cells as it simultaneously gets the capillaries under the skin stimulated to prep for the next step of the process. Once you’re scrubbed up, you’re then directed to the private steam room where you can wash off the scrub as it opens up your pores to purge toxins. The heat from the steam also relaxes tense muscles before the massage. The massage is essentially a fusion of traditional Thai massage and aromatherapy sensorial relaxation process, calming the mind as the muscles are getting worked on to untie the knots and tense areas in the body. The massage ends with a customised facial treatment (your choice of cleanse, rejuvenate or repair), and a specially made drink of tropical juice to enjoy.
What we love: It’s the ultimate male spa experience, done in one of the hotel’s luxurious VIP suites for that personal touch. It’s a complete de-stress option for men who wants a longer pampering treatment to detox, rejuvenate and relax. The complete head-to- toe option is great for those who’d like to have more customisation in their procedures versus a pre-set list like most other massages.
Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, tel: 6885 3533, www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/luxury-spa
OFFICINA DE’ TORNABUONI’S YOGI MASSAGE, LS PHILOSOPHY
The treatment: The duo treatment of Officina de’ Tornabouni’s Nourishing Milk Bath Soak and Yogi Massage is as indulgent as it is rejuvenating. The pre- massage milk bath is inspired by famed milk bath rituals done by royalties in the past, with nourishing ingredients such as oils of sweet almond, eucalyptus, juniper and Melissa. The massage oils were made from strictly vegan sources and infused with pine, rosemary, patchouli and lemongrass to detox and boost circulation while warming the body to repair sore muscles.
The experience: Starting with a 30-minute nourishing milk bath soak (your choice of either ‘relaxing bath salt’ or ‘fatigue combating milk’ in their pressure-jet Jacuzzi, the bath changes colour periodically with the LED light fixtures as a visual aid to relax the senses while the essential oils preps the skin before the massage. The therapist then gently knocks on the door to remind you, closer to the end of the bath soak to dry up and prepare for the massage. While the Yogi massage may have its roots in Ayurveda, your body is not soaked with oils as expected, but your hair will get roughed up during the excellent scalp massage. The deep tissue massage varies on the strength that you’re comfortable with, but it’s generally done with the right amount of force to stimulate blood flow to repair muscles post-workout. It’s relaxing, save for the few spots in your body with lesser musculature, but the therapist is responsive to your feedback in softening the pressure. Once the 60-minute massage is over, no rinsing is needed, since the oils need time to be fully absorbed into the skin to work its full effect, once the blood circulation is stimulated through the deep tissue massage. The treatment ends with a ginger tea by the lobby waiting area.
What we love: Hands down, the massage is one of the best we’ve had (kudos to the therapist’s expertise), and we have a hard time keeping awake throughout the session. The quality of oils used is light enough to be quickly absorbed into the skin after the treatment, so it doesn’t leave an uncomfortable film on the skin.
15 Scotts Road, #01-03/04, tel: 6732 1318, www.lsphilosophy.com
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