Word of mouth
Boys allowed
HoNg koNg gentlemen’s Tonic
This men-only spa is found in the basement of The Landmark hotel, in the Central district. Pick from hair removal, barbershop cuts and personalgrooming sessions, which are performed in private rooms. An array of masculine therapies are on offer; our favourite is the Hemingway—which includes a tensioneasing massage, an aromatherapy facial and a tall Bloody Mary. (www. gentlemenstonic.com)
Spas are ditching the fluffy robes and going all-out to appeal to a male clientele. From body-buffing treatments to Bloody Marys, here’s our pick of the best offerings for men. By Anjana Gosai
loNdoN spa InterContinental MoNTe-Carlo Metropole esPa at Hotel Metropole MuMBaI Trident Nariman Point New york Hommage atelier
Featuring a chic fireplace, plush leather sofas and a single-malt Scotch offered as a welcome drink, every detail of this slick, Madison Avenue members’ spa is carefully thought through. Services include face-sculpting facials, stress-relieving massages, straightrazor shaves and hand grooming (which includes a heavenly session of reflexology to target BlackBerryfatigued fingers). (www. hommage.com)
For those wanting to spruce themselves up before a date or perk up prior to entering the boardroom, the new men’s ‘Pit-Stop’ menu at this chic London spa has a tailor-made treatment to suit. Devised with the needs of men’s skin in mind, the menu offers six treatments, including the Instant Energiser, the Post-Business Pit-Stop and the PreDate Perfection— all of which use the renowned Elemis spa product line. (www. ichotelsgroup.com)
This three-storey sanctuary is a short stroll away from Casino Square, and has recently enjoyed a Greek mythologyinspired makeover by Karl Lagerfeld. Gents after some ‘metime’ should check out the Hercules menu, which offers a range of massages— from Swedish to fitness, as well as bodybuffing salt scrubs and skin-perfecting peels— all given by ESPA-trained staff. (www.metropole. com)
Situated in Nariman Point, the city’s business district, this hotel spa offers an impressive treatment menu for men, including facials, massages and therapies. While the men’s facial pays particular attention to razor burns with the application of neem-based creams, the After Workout involves deep-tissue massage techniques to relieve aching muscles. One of the most popular treatments is The Deep Cleansing Back Therapy—it starts off with an exfoliating scrub, followed by a hot compress, and concludes with a warm clay mask. (www. tridenthotels.com)
Spas are now going out of their way to appeal to male clients
76 Condé Nast Traveller Apr-May 2013
photogrAphS: mATThew wAkem; mArCo BAAss/fsTop/CorBis