Chuan Spa... once again, you complete me!

I just spent an afternoon indulging in what I think is the ideal way to ease yourself into these colder months with a smile on your face. Called Winter Spice, it is a one-hour treatment currently on offer (until August 31) at the Langham hotel’s Chuan Spa. One of the best places to be when it’s hosing down outside, I arrived early to indulge in the spa’s truly gorgeous Tri-bathing facilities, which are made up of a herbal steam room, snail shower and exhilarating ice experience to really get your blood flowing. I love doing this sort of thing prior to a massage as it helps the stress and tensions of the outside world just melt away (or perhaps, evaporate) and helps you get more than ready for your treatment when the time comes. After completing a form which Chuan use to ascertain your “element” for the day (following the protocol of Traditional Chinese Medicine), I’m told that I’m “fire”, and the essential oil blend and post-massage juice and tea are customised according to my needs. Then, let the pampering begin! First step in my Winter Spice was a warm towel foot rub followed by the application of a heated stamp of clove and mulberry leaf which is placed on specific tension areas of the back. A veritable feast for the senses, it was followed by a sublime hot stone back massage and then the aforementioned stones are placed on meridian lines (energy lines) on the front of body to realign and re-energise the body while a foot and scalp massage is performed. I left feeling slightly delirious with gratitude, and enveloped in a warm cocoon of bliss. 10 minutes in the Contemplation Room later, I was definitely not wanting to leave and return to fighting my way through a blustery Auckland day. I’ll be back… there’s still a lot of Winter left!
*All those enjoying Chuan Spa treatments will receive complimentary valet parking (subject to availability).
*The one hour Winter Spice treatment is available Monday – Friday until 31 August 2010.