I’d been doing a bit of travel back and forth in recent weeks and haven’t had a weekend to myself in what seems like ages! I need a break. A proper one with no telephone line and no internet 😛 But since that isn’t happening any time soon, the next best thing is to book myself in and splurge on a luxury spa experience 😀
While at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore not too long ago, I saw they had a Banyan Tree Spa at Level 55 of the hotel. Views over the city state are lovely and I have one for you below pre-haze 🙂 Some quick enquiries turned up a free slot just after lunch. Its incredibly busy so I do recommend making reservations ahead, if you want to go there. Walk in customers like me either have to be incredibly lucky or be turned away. It was pricey, lets make no mistake. but I thought heck! If I’m going to work hard, I might as well play hard! *gulp*
When I arrived for my appointment, I was seated in a little alcove just off the side of the entrance. The Banyan Tree Spa is on the 55th floor of Tower 1 of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and occupies a pretty large space. Here, you are offered a cold towel to refresh yourself and a cup of tea while you ponder over the spa menu. When I was there, there was a 2nd Anniversary promotion on going which you can see in the stand above. There was a facial and massage package for a nett price which was attractive, but what I really wanted was a massage. So I opted for a 90 minute Lomi Lomi massage at S$260++. Ouch! Had to stifle the little yelp of pain as the credit card was swiped 😛
The massage therapists escort you to your room and I was quite surprised to see that they do have many treatment rooms of various sizes for single occupants or double occupants. You are seated and offered more tea while your feet are washed and lightly massaged. Your bones just start to melt at this point.
You then go off to the changing room/shower/toilet by the side to change into disposable undies and a robe while the therapists get the room ready. When I exited the changing area, the blinds had been drawn and the room was pleasantly dark and comfortable.
The beds were comfortable and firm but what made the experience wonderful were the skilled hands of the massage therapist I had, a lady from Indonesia. Lomi Lomi massage uses long strokes and the forearm and medium pressure which is what I enjoy. Its surprisingly not easy to find a place offering lomi lomi massages here. I only tend to find them offered in the higher end spas. I wonder why.
90 minutes later, I was awakened to be told my treatment was over. 90 minutes too soon, if you ask me! After your massage, you change and are then led via another maze of corridors to the relaxation area where you find cold tea waiting for you and some chilled tropical fruit.
Not a moment too soon either. It was almost tea time and my tummy was giving a telltale rumble 🙂 You can spend as long as you like in the relaxation area which is quiet and nice.
Here is the view of Singapore from the 55th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Well, on a clear day that is. This was taken about 2 weeks ago and at present, with the very poor air quality, I’m told visibility is at best 200-300m so you won’t be seeing this, but a smokescreen effect instead. Still, I’m sure the bad air will pass and there’ll be clear skies ahead soon.
Update: Just to keep everyone’s hopes up for brighter skies ahead, here are a few more pictures I took of the views over Singapore from Marina Bay Sands 🙂
The Gardens by the Bay
The Singapore Flyer
The Marina Bay Sands Skypark/Infinity Pool – Highly do not recommend getting in there because its practically just standing room only while everyone camwhores in their bikinis.
In a nutshell
The Banyan Tree Spa at Marina Bay Sands is a luxury spa that was voted the top luxury hotel spa in the World Luxury Spa Awards. The spa did feel very luxurious. The room I had was large and airy. I peeped into a single room on the way and saw that it too looked fairly large and comfortable. The therapists were attentive and skilled. The prices are quite scary especially after conversion to the Ringgit but if you have the budget, its worth the experience.
What I liked: Nice ambiance, Attentive and skilled therapists, Lots of lovely ginger-lemongrass tea and fresh fruit after the treatment
What could be improved: Room was a little chilly. I love it when beds have a heated pad because it makes it more comfortable
Who will like this: Anyone who appreciates a good massage in a luxury spa
Have you been to any Banyan Tree Spa? Are there other good spas in Singapore I could try the next time I visit?
This was my first time. I wish I could say it won’t be my last but I’m not sure if the wallet would allow it next time 😛
Paris B
Banyan Tree Spa Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) is at Level 55 of Tower One, Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tel: +65 6688 8825
Jacqueline says
June 21, 2013 at 9:47 amParis, you were lucky to have visited Singapore before the haze. The quality here is getting bad to worse and we are all gasping for breath. I wish for fresh air. What a lovely spa treat. Spas always end too soon in my opinion.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:38 pmHi Jacqueline, isn’t it great that our air is back to its recognizable blue skies? 🙂 I think the Banyan Tree Spa is a very lovely treat but far too pricey for me to visit again 🙁
BlushandBarbells says
June 21, 2013 at 10:09 amI was in Sinapore for a few days last year and WOWSA I was kind of shocked by the price of everything there!
Although a spa day is definitely worth the splurge.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:39 pmIts not just you! I’m always shocked at the prices of things when I’m down especially with the currency conversion and all 😛
Victoria says
June 21, 2013 at 10:19 amOooh..I so love spas and will be going for one next month with hubby for his birthday. This of course is out of my league but I guess if you do have money to splurge may as well 🙂 A good friend of mine works in Banyan Tree Singapore and she told me that depending on your job level in the company and as part of their staff benefit, staff are given a generous supply of spa vouchers that could be used at any of their spas around the world every year. She is one lucky girl. Lol.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:41 pmOoh lovely! I absolutely love visiting spas but I don’t always splurge. Can’t afford it all the time! I’m jealous of your friend! I think its time to be friendly with her eh? 😉
Applegal says
June 21, 2013 at 11:58 amSounds great!! I’m very very tempted to try when I go down to Singapore next. . .
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:42 pmQuick, add up those pennies! 😉 I do recommend making a reservation before you go to avoid disappointment. I got really lucky as a walk in customer!
rinnah says
June 21, 2013 at 1:54 pmMmm… a spa session right now would be heavenly. But for that price… ouchies! 🙁
I guess I will just have to wait until I get to go Thailand again later this year… heheh.
beetrice says
June 24, 2013 at 12:27 pmRinnah, while you’re still working in SG you might want to try it – once you come back, I can guarantee you’re not going to want to plonk down that kind of moola (especially after conversion…ouchies x 2.5!) 😛
Time to start counting dollar coins (I take it back PB, pennies aren’t going to cut it! >.<)
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:43 pmYep, wallet was wailing at the top of its lungs LOL Thailand is a nice place to indulge! I’d have to find another to hit up when i go next 🙂
S. Drama&Makeup says
June 21, 2013 at 5:24 pmIt sounds like you had a great time! I’d love to go to a proper spa someday. Actually, I’d just love to finish my exams and finally take some time to relax without feeling that I should be doing something else.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 2:58 pmAh S I hope your exams are over soon too! I have left that world so long ago I can’t even begin to remember what it was like LOL! Then again, I was a really nerdy student to studies meant studies and I didn’t play around a lot. Soon, you can relax as much as you’d like! 😀
Tammy says
June 21, 2013 at 9:30 pmHm……I do believe Banyan Tree/Angsana are some of the best spas in the world! How I want to just go and travel now……
Totally understand what you mean ‘highly do not recommend’ about the pool. When I looked at the photo I thought that looked so busy! Ha!!!
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 3:02 pmMmm this was my first time and I’m now itching to try one of their resorts! I’m told they are simply amazing places to be but I don’t think my wallet likes the sound of it. I can hear it crying 😛 The pool was horrible! A teeming mess of people. Can you imagine how dirty it must be?! 😛
Lily says
June 21, 2013 at 9:56 pmThere’s a Banyan Tree Spa here in Ipoh and I have yet to try it. The treatments aren’t cheap either so I’m hesitating. My body needs a pamper so badly though!
LeGeeque says
June 22, 2013 at 1:55 pmI think the Banyan Tree Spa in Ipoh you mentioned is very different from the one PB blogged about. The one in Ipoh is actually Banyan Spa (banyanspa [dot] com [dot] my) as opposed to the (almost) international chain of Banyan Tree Spa (banyantreespa [dot] com]) .
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 3:13 pmAh Lily I got so excited about it till I saw it wasn’t the Banyan Tree 🙁 It does look like a nice place to visit though! Maybe I could check it out the next time I head up north 😉
Jennifer says
June 22, 2013 at 1:09 pmI have always been enamoured by Banyan Tree. The first time I heard of it was when I was in Bangkok. Ahh…I agree with Rinnah, Thailand spa spree sounds enticing 🙂
That’s a luxurious price tag…but in Singapore and Thailand, luxurious price tags often comes with luxurious treatment. So I guess it was well spent for a good relaxation with a fantastic view as well. Glad that you visited Singapore when the air quality was still bearable.
I like the way you balance hectic work and personal life. While shutting out the digital world seems not possible as you rightfully pointed out, spa and massage are the next best temporary shutdown and pampering 🙂 Thank you for sharing this review and also way of life to balance things. Good one to note and apply where possible. Have a lovely weekend!
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 3:21 pmI can’t remember where I first heard about the Banyan Tree, but I just love the name coz I love the tree! Funny right? LOL I think luxury always comes with a pricetag but yet, luxury isn’t an everyday thing so I sometimes feel its worth splurging for the experience. I live by the motto “Try everything once” It’ll give you something to talk about 😀 And yes, I do try to balance work-life because I’ve gone down the all work and no play route in my early days and I realised it just wasn’t healthy. If we can’t escape and hideaway for a few days, the next best thing is to switch off the phone and hide for a few hours and get pampered. Your disposition will improve tremendously, I promise! Time to book that massage eh? 😉
Jyoan says
June 22, 2013 at 11:05 pmI have not been to anything Banyan Tree. The price is exorbitant.
But I do have a package with Jean Yip Loft with a rooftop TINY swimming pool. Place is nice, but I think not as good as Banyan. It’s not so much of a spa though, imo.
There is this Renewal Day Spa that uses organic/natural stuff, that’s pretty good. Country-feel decor. But this probably more costly than Banyan Tree because of the natural products used.
The funny thing is, I did something similar to Banyan Tree at Batam View Resort. hahaha, I think it is that overseas bug, like when you’re overseas, somehow you’d just splurge. It was good! It’s truly sea view (not sea with cargo ships like Singapore). And oooo, the Balinese message… haha.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 3:24 pmI think you’re right Jyoan. I am a little more willing to indulge while I’m away especially if I justify it with “I don’t know when I’m coming back!” and “I’ll do it for the experience” 😀 That it works out well is of course great. What would piss me off is if I went, paid all that money and then got disappointed 😛
sesame says
June 24, 2013 at 7:08 pmTried Banyan Tree Bintan years ago before my child was born and when we had the luxury of time. Awesome and blissful indeed. I think staying in Banyan tree and having the spa experience tops it all. Not so keen on the Singapore one (Heh) but perhaps somewhere else when we can afford to get away without the kid.
I tried Renewal Day Spa recommended by Jyoan years ago before the reno. It’s quaint but not exactly that great. If you’re into serious beauty/spa pampering, try Spa Scene at Raffles City. You have to request for the Korean experts to do it. No great view but their skills are top rated.
Paris B says
July 2, 2013 at 6:10 pmAh Sesame, you make me want to book myself into the Banyan Tree resort 😛 I think I’ll have to try it at least once, if only for the experience. I’m not sure how the wallet will handle it 😛 Thanks for the suggestion of Spa Scene. I hope to try it the next time I have some free time in Singapore 🙂