Beauty | SPA – The Wellness Sanctuary

For those who have never stayed at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, they might think that it is just another hotel that offers a bed and a room to sleep in with no surprising elements. But as a matter of fact, its uniqueness is deeper than what the eyes can see. Macau Daily Times takes a closer look at the details of a wonderful stay at the wellness sanctuary.

One might think that upon arrival at a hotel, the check-in counter is where everyone goes, but today, I decide to shake things up a little bit. Tired and exhausted after a long day, I head straight to the Bodhi Spa at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central for a treatment before checking in.
The moment I enter, friendly spa desk hosts greet me at the door and slowly usher me to a private consultation room.
“Let me take care of your luggage, miss,” the host says with a smile.
“That will be great,” I utter, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Bodhi” means enlightenment or a state of awakening, and refers to the Buddha’s enlightenment beneath a Bodhi tree in India. Similarly, it is the aim of the spa to enable visitors to feel a sense of rejuvenation and awakening after a spa treatment, as they balance body, mind and soul.
Manifold and diverse, the spa menu is one-of-its-kind, specializing in Ayurvedic, European and Asian treatments. The signature Ayurvedic spa experience offers a choice of three levels of massage: Kapha Abhyanga, Pitta Abhyanga or Vata Abhyanga. Each massage uses a specific oil blend catered to the ultimate goal of awakening, calming or rejuvenating.

As I sip on a soothing cup of signature tea at the consultation room, the host begins to ask questions and determine my needs, offering a choice of oil blends for me to test and choose from.
“I would like a facial with a neck and shoulder massage because I could feel the muscle tensions in these areas,” I explain.
“Certainly. In that case, I would recommend the Aroma Radiance Lift Specialist Facials. It is 90 minutes of pure relaxation and customized care. This treatment will reduce fine lines and wrinkles and leave skin visibly plump, lifted, clear and radiant,” the host suggests.
Following the consultation, I am then ushered to an oasis of tranquility – the private spa room. My customized treatment starts with a signature foot ritual. The music, the temperature, and the pressure all are tuned to my liking. The oils are heated, and so my very first impression when the treatment begins is one of warm comfort. With soothing, practiced strokes, my masseuse commences the treatment, perfect time for me to embark on a journey of tranquility and ultimate repose.
Products used during the treatment are from Aromatherapy Associates UK, a brand that produces premium grade essential oils in holistic, soothing therapies with the finest quality available in nature. After cleansing with a balm, an enzyme peel is applied onto the face. Most acid peel can be too harsh on the skin, yet the enzyme peel from Aromatherapy Associates is gentle, rejuvenating, and stimulating.
Fruit acids of pineapple, passionflower and grape remove dead skin cells from the surface while antioxidants such as vitamin E from carrot oil helps to remove the signs of aging. After the peel is removed, the skin is radiant, soft and smooth. Then, regenerating rose essential oils and skin booster are put on to deliver active ingredients deep into the layers of the skin. As my skin indulges in the award-winning repair mask, a deeply relaxing shoulder and décolleté massage is performed.

After the treatment, I am left calm, comfortable and rejuvenated. Finally, I am going to the check-in counter. Checking-in is a breeze at Conrad Macao. The receptionist even asks of your preference to make sure that your choice of newspaper and amenities are properly delivered to the room, and then escorts me to the elevator.
For the night, the amenities that I have chosen are from the same brand that the spa therapist used at the spa, Aromatherapy Associates. After entering into my hotel room, I immediately go into the bathroom to take a look.  To my surprise, the shower gel has a different aroma than the shampoo and conditioner. Personally, the body lotion is my favourite. Labelled as “Balance,” the lotion contains sweet almond oil and lavender, which gives it a relaxing, natural fragrance. It is extra moisturizing. Yet minutes after application, the lotion is totally absorbed. The creamy texture leaves a faint, milky smell of lavender lingering on.
In addition to amenities, a rubber duck is seen hanging out next to the bathtub while a gold Conrad hotel signature bear is sitting on one of the pillows on my bed. All together, there is no better way to make a hotel guest feel more pampered and loved. In life, little details matter because they make us feel special, and it also means that someone has taken the extra time and gone an extra mile to fulfil your needs and expectation. A stay at the Conrad Macao will make you realize just that. It is a totally personalized experience.