Weekendin Singapore Feb '14 | Issue 11 | Page 128

acrosstheSTRAITS acrosstheSTRAITS For sheer pampering, guests can retreat into the tranquil sanctuary of Essa Spa and indulge in one of the signature body treatments or traditional massages. Essa Spa does away with complicated designs and sticks to plain décor with clean-cut lines, which does wonders at putting one’s mind at ease. The medium brown colour palette that is consistently used through wood throughout the spa, brings a sense of warmness that can be felt instantly upon entering. S F oporifically uperb illed with the light and green energy of Malaysian rainforests, Essa Spa allows guests to experience the true essence of wellness in Kuala Lumpur. Retreating to deepest relaxation in the luxurious solitude of the spa sanctuary in Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, you’ll bask in the powerful benefits of traditional Malay healing at Essa. Mixing unique, natural elements from rainforests in the distinctly Malaysian tradition of ramuan, Essa optimises your health by developing personal treatment programs to reconnect you to the natural world. Restoring your senses to optimal balance, they develop your inner radiance, nurture essential calm and activate energetic awakening. It was not long before my cordially hospitable therapist was escorting me to one of the 11 treatment suites at Essa Spa. Every suite has its very own adjoining bathroom and dressing area where spa guests can relish in the privacy of dressing up and down right after or before the treatment commences. It also saves the trouble of having to share a space and change with others in a communal locker room. As I emerged from the dressing room donning my plush bathrobe and room slippers, the therapist who was waiting outside patiently beckoned me to a seat in a corner where I was going to get a footbath. After the usual ritual of exfoliating and cleansing your feet, it was time for the serious business to begin. Once I lay down flat and found the most comfortable angle to lie in, I took a deep breath to calm the mind and draw the focus to the body. Instead of beginning with the legs, the therapist smeared the massage oil on my back and started smoothing and kneading tough spots. The Essa Dream State body massage treatment that I was enjoying in- Weekendin 128 A harmony of single spa treatment room volved using a blend of jasmine, ylang ylang and bergamot to initiate and maintain a deep sense of calm for the duration of the massage. The therapist focuses on six to seven energy points and adds pressure point stimulation for ears, face and palms to create a deeply hypnotic dreamlike state, as its name suggests. Although skeptical about the results at the beginning of the treatment, I was very soon convinced as I felt my mind quiet down, soothe the body, mind and spirit, easing me into a state of total relaxation. Distracting thoughts were floating by like clouds. This treatment is definitely an antidote to stress and overtiredness, as its soporific effect induces sleep effectively. I let myself go to the reigns of slumber and was only awoken to the gentle tap of the therapist as she informed me that the treatment was over. It took me a minute to regain composure as I returned to reality and gained orientation as to where I was. Even as I roused, it was comforting to note that the soothing effect from the massage was not lost and even stuck through the night. I was helped off the bed and sunk snugly into the seat once again, but this time to enjoy a tepid cup of lemongrass ginger tea that left a warm fuzzy feeling inside. At Essa Spa, they strive to provide guests with the most relaxing and soothing spa experience from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. Restoring flow, serenity and energy, experience the true ess