The Retreat Spa, Repulse Bay

Last week Maura and I escaped....

...On a beautiful sunny day (even in Central), we climbed into a taxi and ran off to Repulse Bay. Such a wonderful place to run off to after you have been surrounded by tall buildings and densely packed people for so long. One often forgets that in Hong Kong the most important thing, even if one loves Hong Kong, is to get out of it. You have to let your eyes see the horizon and rest upon green spaces. It is good for the soul.

We headed to The Retreat, a wonderful new day spa on Beach Road, where they know that pedicures, delicious smoothies and organic sandwiches are also good for the soul. Enter its cool, white reception, and instantly feel more at peace. The staff are welcoming, the decor is calming, and the Eden Cafe (a mini version of Eden Restaurant on Arbuthnot Road), will make you feel as though treating yourself is positively virtuous. We were warmly welcomed by Antonia, the Spa Manager, who showed us around and told us about the great treatments The Retreat offers, from hair styling (they have a Toni & Guy salon inside), to facials, Yummy Mummy massages, and fung shui therapy for your home from $3 per square foot - net or gross we're not sure!

Fully stacked with berry smoothies and armloads of glossy magazines we headed into the nail salon. Very different from anywhere else in Hong Kong, the chairs are separate from each other, and in a white leather, super-modern style. There is a great choice of colours, and the therapists were very thorough, giving lovely foot massages and a great final result. The chairs even allow for the nail drying machine (do those have a proper name?) to balance on the end, so there's no need to maneuver oneself into one's flip flops and then stagger across the room. Let's face it, this "maneuvering" and "staggering" is not exactly a hardship normally, but still nice to do without.

We emerged blinking into the bright sun light, full of plans to return and bring our husbands to enjoy the signature "Life's a Beach" treatment. It would really make the perfect end, or beginning to a day at the beach. Very highly recommended!

The Retreat

1/F, 33 Beach Road, Repulse Bay

www.the-retreat.com.hk

2803 1862