A few months ago, I bit the bullet and went to the Spa Village on the privately owned Pangkor Laut Resort island off Pangkor Island. It was the most luxurious spa I’d ever experienced in one of the most luxurious and beautiful settings ever. It also cost me a pretty penny – very pretty penny indeed! My wallet still hurts thinking about it.
My spa package at Spa Village was an 80 minute Lomi Lomi massage and body scrub but I was told to come 1 hour earlier to enjoy the Bathhouse. What on earth was that? So I turned up 1 hour early to find out.
With every spa package comes the Bathhouse experience which is something no one should ever miss! The Bathhouses are separated into male and female territory so even if there are embarrassing slips of the sarong, its alright – you’re among your own kind :P
When you enter the Bathhouse, you are assigned a locker where you store all your belongings and all your clothes. Yes, every single scrap so you are left stark naked. A sarong is then wrapped around you expertly by the attendant, your locker key is pinned to your sarong and you start your experience.
The Spa Village Bathhouse experience
You exit the bathhouse into a large open air area with overhanging tropical trees and chirping of birds. You are given a coin to toss into the wishing well. Be sure to make a wish! :)
Then you are taken to a large pool with a water curtain and large urns pouring water into the pool. This is the Malay bath experience premised on traditional methods of bathing in the rivers and by the waterfalls. You are told to walk through the water curtain and through the pool to the other side where your attendant will wait for you. Be warned. The water is crazy cold! I was chilled to the bone and the sarong was wet and clingy.
You exit the pool and savour 4 herbal aromas to purify, relax and I can’t remember the other 2. There are 4 pots of herbs stewing and it helps relax you as you breathe in the aroma.
You are then led to a Japanese section where you are told to scrub yourself down typical Japanese style, while sitting on low stools. Once you are done, you exit to a hot pool where you sit to warm yourself back up amidst green trees and the chirping of birds. Its not a mineral hot pool though but its relaxing. After about 10 minutes, you are served hot ginger tea and led to the Shanghai scrub which was apparently only done for men in the days of yore in Shanghai.
You undo your sarong and lie on a bed and the attendant scrubs your back. When they are done, and you are clean, they wrap you back up in a batik sarong that you get to keep as a souvenir of your experience. :)
You then relax with tea for a spell and are then led to the “Library” which is a large pavilion facing the sea. There you recline like an island princess while you are served tea and bask in the warmth of the sun while you enjoy the sea breeze and the calming sound of the waves crashing to shore.
The Bathhouse experience is one to savour and something unique that I must recommend you try if you ever have the chance. The whole experience is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The Lomi Lomi Massage and Body Scrub
From the choice of massages available, I opted to try the Lomi Lomi massage. Its one I’ve never tried before. The Lomi Lomi massage is a traditional Hawaiian style of massage of medium to strong pressure and where they use the forearms to stretch and knead your muscles.
The massage is done in a closed room or can be performed in a gazebo facing the sea at your choice. I opted for the room so it wasn’t so hot. Was the massage good?
It had to be because I fell asleep. Its been a very long time since I’ve managed to fall asleep during a body massage. The pressure was firm yet strong – the way I like it and the masseuse was very good. After 80 minutes, I felt totally relaxed and rejuvenated. I will be sure to opt for lomi lomi massages again if I see it offered anywhere else.
I followed up with a body scrub which was also done in the room. A mixture of herbs was applied on the body and once dried, they are rubbed off along with the dead skin cells. You then shower (in an open air rain shower – bliss!) and apply body lotion while sipping hot ginger tea.
After your treatment, you can opt to continue to enjoy the calm relaxing atmosphere in the Library bedecked in your souvenir sarong, or check out. I of course chose to relax. I wanted to get the maximum relaxation out of my experience! (and to make sure I got my money’s worth :P )
All too soon, it was time to go. I spent about 4.5 hours in the Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort and I left with a clear head, a lighter step and a much more relaxed body. Ready to face the mad mad world again.
My Massage and Body Scrub package set me back RM419++ Nope. Luxury does not come cheap. But for me, it was worth every single cent. And I will be back some day.
Now, does anyone know of any spa in Kuala Lumpur or surrounding areas that can give me a similar experience so I don’t have to make the 4.5 hour journey to Pangkor Island Resort (and drop a wad of cash) just to experience this again? :)
Paris B
Spa Village is at Pangkor Laut Resort – a luxury getaway on a beautiful little island off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its only open to visitors staying at the resort and the food is amazingly good there!
I spent my honeymoon in PLR too and I still remember how wonderful it all was! It’s been close to 3 years now and I’d love to return. We took the sea villas and fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the stilts. Soaked in the bath facing out into the open sea watching the sun rise. Yes, pretty penny it was. Came to about 5k for the 2 of us! :P
Sounds like a wonderful honeymoon! The best sort – nothing to do in a beautiful location and just each other :D Pricey but worth it la…
OUCH legeeque! but sounds good.
really does sound good Paris, but i am super ticklish and old fashioned, i just cannot do the whole stark naked thing, unless the masseuse and attendants are blind. or unless it’s a guy who looks like Jon Foo from Tekken. haha!
Haha I used to be that way too but I’m less inhibited now :P Going for spas or massages is a must have for me or I’d go mad :P
Hi Paris
Someday someday i too will go to Pangkor Laut Resort. Until then, i think they have a branch of the Spa Village at Starhill if i’m not mistaken? Of course the ambience would be way off but they might have the Lomi Lomi massage on the spa menu?
I’m sure you will get there some day :) There is a Spa Village in Starhill Gallery but I haven’t been there yet. Will update once I do!
Sure sounds like heaven, babe! I hope to experience it some day!
Meanwhile I am forwarding this post to hubbs! *wink*
Oh dear hubby will NOT like me ;) When you go, leave the kids with your parents and just spend some time with DH – you’ll both love it! (they do full board packages and its not THAT expensive. Not arm and leg. Maybe just an arm ;) )
Oooh I love Pangkor Laut Resort! It’s a really beautiful place. You’re tempting me to go back Paris!
Never a better time than the present! :D
RM419++ for the package, but how much to stay at PLR? :s that said, it still sounds amazing and if the massage is really that good…*bliss* now…when to go?
Honestly, its less than you think for a full board package ;) Roadtrip? ;)
So less = to how much exactly? :P I really could do with a relaxing getaway right about now. :(
Malaysian = about RM800 for all inclusive package (I think)
oh, i so wanted to cry when i read how beautiful your experience was… i need that total relaxation too!! hehe… drama queen.
Aww… time for a getaway perhaps? ;)
We went to Pangkor Laut Resort for our honeymoon 2 years ago but I gave the spa a miss as the honeymoon itself was so pricey. The sea villas are amazing and I especially love how there is an adults only section (pool) which is near the spa area. We did stock up on their range of products as gifts for people back home and ourselves. I love the handmade soaps and room fragrances.
The spa looks great and is well worth the price, really regret not trying it out. Now have to pester the husband to head back there for our 3rd anniversary. When we were there he kept saying we’re coming back here every year for our anniversary. Have to remind him about that now!
Isn’t there a Spa Village in KL too now? How does it differ if any?
Just a tip for anyone wanting to head to Pangkor Laut Resort now thanks to Paris’ post! Contact YTL travel centre directly via phone call or email. They reply to emails very fast within the hour. Ask for the local rate – they have a rate for Malaysians, Singaporeans, expats with work visa. Also be sure to go for the package that includes all the meals as everything is overpriced there (cos it’s an island i guess?).
psst! you think I should hit up PLR for a free stay if my post brings them business? ;)
There is a Spa Village in KL but I haven’t gone there… yet :P Will update when I do. Now you gotta go back just for the spa shuaddict!! :D Its a beautiful place just to relax away from the madding crowd and you’re absolutely right about the YTL packages. Much more worth it having all meals included. Oh drat. Am drooling just thinking about the food :P
Yep think they should give you some perks! Their traffic will surely spike. If you go to the KL one do a review please. I have read in a mag or paper review that it doesn’t have the same feel because obviously they do not have those little gazebos by the ocean for one. Also that it is a little cramped as it is in a hotel (Ritz Carlton?).
The food was glorious. We enjoyed the Feast Village the most because of the variety, and they had themes different nights so it wasn’t just the same old stuff. Prepare to gain 5lbs if you go there!
Haha One can dream eh? ;) I will be sure to try the Spa Village in KL (always a bit of a sucker for these things) and I hope to update once I do. I’m sure it doesn’t have that spacious feel of the seaside but it’ll be interesting to know if they have a similar bathhouse ;)
Ah I miss PLR too, I did 3 blog posts for the experience(the link I shared). I definately will go back to PLR again, perhaps with my grown up princess that time and we could enjoy the spa together. ;)
Hope you go back soon! :)
Paris, its only RM800? Serious!? I guess you got the special rate..izzit for 3d2n?
Please share with us more info how to get the rate ..I am definitely going if its full board 3d2n for RM800..and of course gonna take the spa package as well :)
I think that’s the rate per pax. Email the YTL travel center (get the contact from the Pangkor Laut Resort website) and ask for the package rate for Malaysians. :) might have changed or maybe not :)
I can confirm on the RM800/pax part :) I just went.. hehe.. it’s a promotion for Malaysian/Singaporean. The package is inclusive of 3 meals per day, but you will only be staying in Garden Villa. You will need to top up for Beach/Sea Villa. Hope it helps :)
Hi ParisB,
Thanks for directing me over here from your PLR review. RM419++? Ouch, indeed. Now I’m thinking twice if I should indulge … hmmm
Special packages differ in prices. RM419++ was the early bird package I believe. Check with the spa when you get there and decide – have fun!
YTL spa in KL is located in Ritz Calton Hotel. We went for the spa after came back from PLR last decemeber.