Looking for serenity in the city? This is what you need.
We know what you might think – is it really necessary to splurge on a massage right now? Well, it depends. Are you tired from working from home while caring for your kids? Is the daily work commute stressing you out? Do you have to work twice as hard in this pandemic? Can you afford it? If the pros outweigh the cons like it did for me, you definitely should consider taking some time out for yourself, and we’ve got just the recommendation for you.
Recently, I went to the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur to try out a treatment at its award-winning Essa Spa. For those who are unfamiliar with the hotel, it’s located right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, adjacent to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre with views overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Located on the second floor, the spa consists of 11 treatment rooms – nine single and two couple suites – and presents a calm and tranquil environment with dim lights, pleasing scents and quiet surroundings.
Rest assured that the Essa Spa follows strict SOP measures during these uncertain times. Upon entering, you’ve to scan two barcodes – one is the compulsory COVID-19 My Sejahtera tracker and the other is a form you need to fill out for your treatment preferences. In the massage session itself, the masseuse uses thin plastic gloves to carry out the treatment for increased protection. However, this does not get in the way of the quality of the massage.
I was treated to the signature Essa Dream State massage. After the roller-coaster ride that the past several months have been, I definitely needed to calm down my mind and body. And this is what the treatment promises. According to the masseuse, the Essa Dream State focuses on energy Chakra points six and seven, with added stimulation on the ears, face and palms to create a hypnotic-like state.
After showering and changing into the provided, fluffy luxe bathrobe, the session started with a relaxing foot wash and massage. Next, I moved to the heated massage bed, laid face down and was prompted to do a breathing exercise, inhaling calming scents of aromatherapy oils.
Focusing on my upper back, the masseuse used long and medium-pressure massage strokes (according to my preference) to relieve knots and increase circulation throughout my body. With the use of jasmine, ylang ylang and bergamot oils, I found myself ‘floating’ off in a matter of minutes. The massage then moved to my legs, shoulders, stomach and was completed with a satisfying head rub.
All in all, did I think it was worth it? A hundred times yes. The Essa Dream State checks all the boxes of an exceptional massage – it was professional, comforting, invigorating and healing even. I left the hotel feeling refreshed, content and with a much clearer mind.
The Essa Dream State Massage is priced at RM390 for 60 minutes. The current operating hours for Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Essa Spa are as follows:
Available on Fridays to Sundays 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Closed on Mondays to Thursdays
Header image: Woman photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com
