The Raffles Hotel might have been closed for two years due to restoration works, but the Grand Dame of City Hall hasn’t lost its touch after re-opening officially in October. Yet it’s not just the redesigned rooms and majestic lobby which has garnered attention.
The Raffles Spa too has been given a major face-lift, both in terms of aesthetics and services. Now located within the Raffles Arcade, the Raffles Spa is more accessible than ever to those who wish to indulge in a little quality me-time, having extended its services beyond hotel guests to include members of the public too.
We took the liberty of checking it out to see if it’s worth the buzz (and price tag); here’s why you’ll want to make an appointment too, pronto.
The facility
The Raffles Spa is inconspicuous from the outside, having share the same colonial-era aesthetics as the rest of the arcade, but inside is a vastly different world. Contemporary and sophisticated, the space envelops you with quiet luxury from the moment you step in, and it’s easy to immediately feel at ease.
Shelves of products from its spa partners, Mikimoto and Isun fill the entrance as a testament to the establishment’s pursuit for quality. The elegant space is matched by grey and golden-brown shades for a serene ambience, while countless doors and rooms hint at the decadence you’re about to experience.
Besides treatment rooms for individual or couple massages , the spa also has The Gem, a standalone suite and private area that’s destined to be a hit for hen parties, or even for a short romantic escape. The spacious room see its own vitality pool, massage beds, and bathroom, which means you’ll never have to leave the company of your special celebration.
Other spa facilities worth checking out in between or after treatments include the Aromatic Steam Room, Ice Fountain, and the onsen-like Vitality Pool, all of which are located within the main bath and shower area. This hydrothermal experience is known to offer a myriad of benefits, including blood circulation, detoxing, and improving the immune system, and complements the restorative treatments the Raffles Spa offers.
The ‘regular’ treatment rooms are also exceptionally well-appointed, with its own bathrooms and shower for total privacy. Raffles know that you won’t want to leave this pocket of calm, and so has lounges with refreshments for you to seek the inner tranquility and rejuvenation you so crave.
Treatments
The spa offers an extensive menu of services here, which range from anti-aging facials and a Chakra deep sleep ritual, to a herbal detox wrap and jet lag massage. Following an in-depth consultation from the therapist, we went with the Revitalising Body Polish and Raffles Signature Gemstone Massage, both of which are signature treatments here. Every treatment here is deeply personalised based on your needs and issues, so don’t expect the cookie-cutter therapies that are offered elsewhere.
The Revitalising Body Polish is an exfoliating treatment that promises to revive your skin’s softness and glow with a detoxifying body scrub. Body scrubs can often be too harsh for those with sensitive skin, but the fragrant blend of coconut oil, Camellia seed oil, and aloe vera moisturised the skin gently without artificial fragrances or chemicals. After the revitalising scrub, a quick shower ensued before the massage.
Yielding from the natural healing properties of gemstone crystals, the Raffles Signature Gemstone Massage incorporates the use of gemstones and organic botanical oils to energetically relief stress and body tension. The full-body massage is 90 minutes of sheer bliss, especially since it’s designed to release stress, ease muscle tension, and boost circulation throughout the body.
Each of the four oils used is infused with the corresponding gemstone used to massage and warm the body with. The Carnelian stone, for example is one that’s been used for centuries to treat lower back and gastrointestinal issues; in this case, the Carnelian oil was specifically used when massaging those areas. The Garnet stone, Rose Quartz, and Amethyst are also used according to their healing properties to ensure guests get the most out of these stones’ energy.
With soft music playing in the background, it wasn’t difficult to be lulled to sleep, especially under the therapist’s deft hands. With years of experience under her belt, she knew exactly how to ease the tension and discomfort in my neck and shoulders from hours of being hunched at the desk. The full-body affair extends to the head to promote top-to-toe circulation and deeper relaxation.
Verdict
Singapore isn’t short of spas but few nail luxury without over-the-top gimmicks like the Raffles Spa. No stoned is left unturned here; the journey is an immensely calming and comprehensive one, and will do the job of soothing your frazzled mind with its decor, facilities and most importantly, treatments. It’s easy to see why the oasis of calm in the midst of the city is such a sought-after experience for many a weary traveller and office-goer.
Shatricia Nair
Managing Editor
Shatricia Nair has a passion for motoring, beauty, and wellness, and is perpetually knee-deep in the world of V8s, retinols, and latest fitness trends. She has nine years of experience writing for digital media, and her bylines have appeared in Prestige, and Augustman. She'll do (almost) anything for good chocolate chip cookies.
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