4 Best Garden Spas in Singapore

Singapore is a country of scarse land and almost every other steps you take will be on the concretes or buildings. Unlike big countries which have natural forest or waterfall, it is not easy to find a tranquil and greenery surroundings to enjoy your day. Moreover, the work stress level in Singapore is so high that it could hardly let one relax fully. Luckily, I have found some garden spas which one can enjoy the greenery, enjoy birds chirping and at the same time rejuvenate yourself in a soothing massage.

Aramsa ~ The Garden Spa at Bishan Park Located within the lush greenery of 62 hectares Bishan - Ang Mo Kio national park, one of the largest and most popular parks in Singapore. The spa offers 17 uniquely designed treatment rooms, which each is presented an eclectic mix of contemporary design and space with the garden ambience from outside. Enjoy Aramsa's signature massage, Aramsa Touch, which is a fusion of eastern meridian and western classical massage techniques.

Bishan Park 2,
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: 6456 6556
Email: enquiries@aramsaspas.com
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to 10pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 12mn

Spa Botanica at The Sentosa Built on a 6,000 square metre heritage site, Spa Botanica is a sprawling spa haven located in Sentosa. Eqiupped with Asia'a first mud pools, float pools with cascading waterfalls, meditation labyrinths, indulged yourself into the nature sounds and a definite getaway from the bustling city. Enjoy their six different kinds of signature treatments and rejuvenate your soul, body and mind.

2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa
Singapore 099891
Tel: 6371 1288 / 1318
Email: spabotanica@thesentosa.com
Opens daily from 10am to 10pm

Spa Rael at Goodwood Park Hotel Located within the 5-star hotel, Spa Rael set among a 6,000 square feet botanical beauty which promise a serene ambience and capturing the beauty of surrounding lush greenery. To even pamper the customer further, Spa Rael uses the award winning Spanish beauty product, Natura Bisse for facial treatments. There are many also different kinds of body massage available in Spa Rael's menu which you can choose from to enjoy your ultimate wellness.

22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: 6732 9633
Email: marketing@sparael.com.sg
www.sparael.com.sg
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5.30pm

Spa Auriga at Capella Singapore Find the ultimate spa experience as Spa Auriga is hosted in one of Singapore 6-star hotel and provides an exclusive range of Singapore-inspired treatments, carry out by the highly trained therapists. Using natural and organic products, they focused on the customer's health and wellness and provide a holistic approach to make sure that your body and mind is nourished. The 12,000 sqft spa features 9 private indoor/outdoor treatment rooms each equipped with a private gardens, which you can enjoy the tranquility of the nature.

1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island
Singapore 098297
Tel: 6591 5023
Email: spa.singapore@capellahotels.com

Massage Invitation from Passage New York

I received an invitation from Passage New York which they are willing to give me one session of free massage in return for an review for their spa. However, as the entitlement was only for females customers only, I had to rope in my girl friend for the review which I took two weeks to confirm due to my busy work schedule.

Calming Experience

Front door of Passage New York

Despite located in the bustling business district, one feels calm when you have entered the spa, where there is serenity and soft background calming music. Greeted by the friendly staff, it just let you forget hectic work routine and give you a reason to smile on.

While my girl friend was being ushered to her massage room, the friendly staff show me around the spa and explained in details the services which they are providing. To my surprise, the spa has been around in the area for more than a decade and despite the competitive market nowadays, Passage New York has already proven their strength and services in long years of servicing.

Reception of Passage New York - Greeted by friendly staff

Most of the staff has been working since the opening of spa and they have great products and services knowledge which they are promoting to the clients which I believe why they have many returning customers. Furthermore, their skilled certified therapists are trained properly to ensure customers leave the spa with a pleasant spa experience. I believe this factor is lacking in the spa industry whereby most of the recent players are looking profits through hard selling of spa packages rather than their services.

Waiting at the lounge area and politely greeted by the staff

Starting out as a single storey facial and massage spa, they managed to expand their premises during the last few years to a two storey facial and massage spa, together with a door front fashion boutique. This unique combination definitely produce an extraordinary experience to the customers.  Their current premises holds 14 facial treatment rooms, 7 individual massage rooms and 2 couple massage rooms.

Massage Treatments

Clients can relax or enjoy their drink while waiting or after their treatment.

Despite being a female only spa, Passage New York allows females that sign up packages to bring along their spouse / boyfriend for their massage and facial services, which they can deduct from the same spa package. Talking about this, the friendly staff was not convinced that I would be able to write a good review without experiencing the massage myself, thus they have exceptionally willing to schedule another round of massage session for me before I write a review of it. My girl friend, on other hand, seldom go for body massage has praised the therapists of her skills and was very satisfied with the experience.

Facial Products

Passage New York's range of skincare products

One of the reason which Passage New York has been placed first place by their customer is their organic plant-based facial products which they have selected carefully for customers who have sensitive skin problems. Their products has also been proven to work in line with some of the treatments from doctors that helps to reduce skin sensitivity. Passage New York also respect the privacy of customer and they have several individual consultation rooms for query on Spa and facial treatments.

Consultation Rooms

Fashion Boutique

Fashion boutique located at spa front. Lined with exquisite dresses and handbags

Putting in effort as a complement to their facial and spa services, their boutique are also a no nonsense effort put in as well. Passage New York has engaged marketing designers to source for exquisite dresses and handbags from overseas. It creates an ultimate fashion sense which you would not find in general stores in Singapore. Though the fashion boutique is incorporate as a sideline business to their spa, they also provides tailor services to customer who bought the dresses and alteration can be done in the spa itself and be collected during their next visit. What a thoughtful act !

It is definitely a place which executive could shoved away their mobile phone for a while and enjoy the tranquil of the spa. Furthermore, it is walking distance from Raffles MRT and Tanjong Pagar MRT, it would not cause much hassle to travel long way for a good retreat for yourself.

LATEST PROMOTION 

Quote "Berishiok blog" during reservations to enjoy a luxurious treatment spa package only at $98 at Passage New York. The treatment spa package includes

• Collagen, Lifting and Whitening Facial Treatment with Diamond Peel (U.P $380)
• Complimentary Revitalizing and Therapeutic Body Massage (U.P $150)
• Compliementary Leather Bag worth $450
• Compliementary $50 Passage New York Voucher.

Terms & Conditions

• Valid till 31st July 2013
• Reservation is required. Please call 6226 0888 and quote "Berishiok Blog" during the reservations
• Valid for female and first time customer only. Singaporeans, PRs, and EP holders aged 25 years old and above are welcome.
• Complimentary Leather Bag are for while stock last basis. Designs and colors may vary depending on stock.
• Passage New York reserves all rights to alter and amend any terms and condition without prior notice.

Passage New York
133 Cecil Street
#01-01 Keck Seng Tower
Singapore 069535
Reservations: +65 6226 0888
Email: contactus@passagenewyork.com
Monday to Friday: 11am to 9.30pm
Saturday: 11am to 6pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Late night massage at Imperial Apple Spa

Think they have recently changed the timing.

Finally I managed to slip out from my busy working schedule to go for an massage. it has been quite some time last since I went for a massage. As usual, my work ended late into the midnight at 2am and the sudden urge to release the stress was so strong that I decided to go for an massage. This time round, I decided for a new change and went to Imperial Apple Spa.

Housed in the Union Building, and was designed into two floors. There is a total of 6 VIP foot reflexology rooms which friends and family can enjoy their foot massage whilst watching movies and chatting in privacy. The 2nd floor housed 9 individual rooms, including couple rooms for personal space and privacy.

The entrance of Imperial Apple

I was greeted promptly by the male receptionist and he checked his schedule which he managed to find a masseur for an one hour body oil massage. The masseur was call upon and came out from the resting area, which was right behind the counter. I was ushered to the second floor to my room.

The room I assigned to a raised bed covered with towels and also a shower room in case I can use to wash off the oil after the massage. The room was dimly lit and makes me sleepy almost immediately. While the background was playing music softly, which I supposed they have broadcast it in the entire spa.

I was handed over a disposable underwear to change and have to take off all of my clothing. I rested onto the bed and the China masseur knocked softly at the door to check if I was ready for the massage. She came in with towel which are used to cover my body and check if the air-con temperature was good for me.

The massage started ... She wasn't using much strength as I was expecting and there was some parts of the body which I think she neglected totally. As I have been used to oil massage, I reckon that the amount of oil on my body was too much and it actually felt watery instead. However, as I relax my body, the tiredness set in and I felt asleep not long after. Woke up in a daze, she prompted if I needed a massage which I didn't, pay the bill and went home immediately.

Though after the massage, I could still feel areas of my body not relaxed and stickiness caused by the use of excessive body oil. Not really a good massage experience after all.

Berishiok Ratings
Ambiance: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Hygience: 3.5/5
Skill: 3/5
Price: $55 for 60 mins body massage

Union Building
171 Tras Street (Behind Amara Hotel), Singapore 079025
Reservation: +65 6225 1555
www.imperialapplespa.com.sg
Monday to Sunday: 10.00am to 6.00am daily
Parking: If you are not afraid being summon by the police, you can just park along the road side outside of the spa considering if you are visiting in late hours.

Directory - Thai Massage

Sabaai Sabaai Traditional Thai Massage
Address: 49A Boat Quay, S049838
Tel: +65 6536 3306
Mobile: +65 9337 3715 (Call Ivy Pang to make advance booking)
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat - 12pm to 10pm, Sun - 12pm to 6pm
More info

Healing Thai Massage
Address: 39 Jalan Besar, S208802
Tel: +65 6294 0139
Opening Hours: 11am to 3am daily
More info

Ayuthaya The Royal Thai Spa
Gallery Hotel Branch
Address: 1 Nanson Road #02-11, S238909
Tel: +65 6736 0998
Pan Pacific Orchard Branch
Address: 10 Claymore Road, level 4, S229540
Tel: +65 6238 8227
More info

Healthland Thai Massage
Address: 252A South Bridge Road, S058801
Tel: +65 6221 3376 / +65 9339 8629
More info

Benjaphan Thai Herbal Spa
Address: 559 Bukit Timah Road, #03-02 King's Arcade, S269695
Tel: +65 6469 7622
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
More info

A Alisara Thai Traditional Massage
Address: 100 Orchard Road, #02-67 Concorde Hotel & Shopping Mall, S238840
Tel: +65 6732 8171
Mobile: +65 9128 1018 (Call Frankie Ng to make appointment)
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 11.30pm daily
More info

Article: The Relaxing Impact of Aromatherapy on Spa Clients

It was a busy week and you are dead beat after all the work. Thoughts are coming and go into your head, just like resuming the memories from last week. You needed some form of relaxation and headed over to a spa … People head over to a spa is to get away from the pressures of daily life. The place provides escape from whatever stress is building up at work or at home. During your time at spa, you have the chance to rest and rejuvenate your mind and body. From the moment you are in the spa, you are in a different world. No worries, no thoughts, just relax.

What is this euphoric feeling…? Aromatherapy 
Aromatherapy is a form of healing that uses scented candles, incense and even various types of essential oils to trigger certain responses in the brain. This reduces the effects of stress on the nervous system by promoting the release of endorphins and other feel good neurotransmitters. The right combination of scents can help ease the pain of a headache, stop the mind from racing from one thought to the next and help to restore a sense of mental and emotional balance.

How Does Aromatherapy work together with body massage? 
A professional therapist knows that the ultimate goal of the session is to help the client relax and enjoy the treatment. In order to accomplish this goal, it is often helpful to combine methods so that both the mind and body receive attention.

When preparing the space for the session, the therapist will use different methods to create an area that inspires relaxation and calm. Part of the process will involve attention to the lighting, the comfort of the massage table and even the scents that drift through the space.

Typically, the choice of scents will include something that is likely to appeal to the client and also trigger the pleasure areas of the brain. For example, the use of lavender is very common in this type of setting.

When coupled with the manipulation of the muscles on the shoulders, back and other areas of the body, it releases the individual from their worries at least for the duration of the session. As a result, the mind and the body can relax and drift for a time, enjoying the simple pleasures of pleasant sensations and freedom from the usual round of stress and tension.

The human body needs care and gentle touches. It needs to charge whenever it is exhausted. Don’t be lazy. Make an appointment at your nearest spa. Don’t be like most people who will come from work and fight alone with the stress and tiredness. Your body deserves it.

Author's Bio: Ion Doaga is the owner of Massage Dreams. He writes about alternative and treatments and encourage people to take care of their body.

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