Island Shangri-La Hong Kong's Yun Wellness Is The Perfect Urban Escape

When it comes to a wellness escape, one situated in the heart of Hong Kong may not be the most obvious destination. But the Island Shangri-La's Yun Wellness, a brand new concept within the hotel, was an unexpectedly restful retreat in the heart of the bustling city. We travelled to Hong Kong especially to experience Yun Wellness in person and were not disappointed with the spa's Zen-like surroundings, the range and quality of treatments on offer, and the signature personalised service of the hotel.

Perhaps the best part of planning a retreat here is that you can enjoy all the comfort and luxury that the iconic Island Shangri-La has to offer, including rooms with spectacular city views, cuisine ranging from traditional dim sum to Michelin-starred French fare and even shopping at the adjoining Pacific Place, all without technically leaving the building.

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Yun Wellness

Located on the eight floor of the hotel, Yun Wellness manages the seemingly impossible — creating an atmosphere that is both spa-like and inviting — thanks to the modern design by the Spanish interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The open concept lobby is situated next to the hotel's pool area, and there guests can enjoy the sunny poolside view, sip on drinks and browse the skincare and body care lines that are carried by the spa, including Tata Harper and the Swiss medi-spa line Dr Burgener.

Step inside the treatment rooms and spa areas inside and what awaits is a restful oasis of the highest standards — think luxury spa beds that you can sink into, quiet and private rooms that create a completely cocooning effect, and well-thought out massage and facial protocols with top-notch brands. I tried two treatments at the spa, the Tata Harper Sculpting Facial and the Detox Massage, both of which were carried out in one room.

The facial — using products from the renowned green beauty brand — was invigorating, leaving my skin supple, hydrated and my facial contours gently sculpted. The gentle and comforting strokes of the Detox Massage were just what the doctor ordered, relieving muscle tension and leading me to a state of bliss, such that I found myself drifting in and out of sleep. Sharing a couple room with a friend meant that we could spend quality time together without sacrificing any privacy or comfort.

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After my massage, I moved on to a sound healing session with one of the centre's in-house practitioners, and found my one-on-one session deeply relaxing. In the same space, members of Yun Wellness (the hotel offers memberships for residents of Hong Kong) as well as hotel guests can also enjoy a variety of fitness and wellness classes such as Pilates. The hotel also has a spectacular state-of-the-art gym with stunning city views.

A Bespoke Experience

Also on offer are bespoke therapies that go beyond what a usual hotel spa might offer including pre- and postnatal care, physiotherapy, osteopathy and even scalp and hair treatments done in collaboration with the renowned Zeva Trichology. Think of it as an expert curation of all the best wellness treatments Hong Kong can offer under one roof.

We spoke to Dr Tal Friedman, wellness director of Yun Wellness, to find out more about the Yun Wellness concept. "Anyone can come and join our wide array of regular classes, workshops and special events. We have hosted the global spa director from our brand partner Tata Harper and offered facial treatments performed by her. With her years of training and experience, the feedback we got was outstanding." With the view to make Yun Wellness a destination for wellness, the spa also hosts specialised workshops on a regular basis. "We have workshops on birth breathing, lactation, heart health, and mental wellness and more. From treatments to learning we cover a fair amount of wellness needs, concerns, and goals," says Friedman.

As to what makes Yun Wellness so special? Friedman says, "The most obvious answer is in the practitioners that we partner with. We work with a trichologist for scalp and hair health, physiotherapists for movement and form, nutritionist, personal trainers, osteopaths and even myself. All are experts in their specialties but guided by our guests' needs and goals as well as consultations and planning, which I do with all of our members."

And perhaps most importantly, Yun Wellness prides itself on prioritising the human touch in all senses of the word. "I am proud to say that we have some of the best therapists here at Yun Wellness that I have ever worked with. Rather than robotic, timed treatments, the therapists we have engage with our guests and really customise the treatments to both needs and concerns. From the feel and touch that they all have to the consultations, they really engage and understand what you need in the present moment," says Friedman.

Rooms and Dining

For my two-night stay, I was put up in the hotel's newly-renovated Harbour Room. As its name suggests, the rooms offer spectacular, panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline, so guests can truly enjoy the sense of scale and grandeur that the city has to offer. A comfortable twin room provided more than enough space for my guest and I, and includes a luxurious rain shower and bathtub to take your spa experience in-room.

One is truly spoilt for choice at the Island Shangri-La when it comes to dining options. For a traditional dim sum lunch (think steamed dumplings, crispy roll and baked pastries) that hits the spot, try Summer Palace. If you're hankering after steak and lobster, you can't go wrong with the Lobster Bar & Grill. While it has a relaxed bar-like atmosphere, this buzzy restaurant served up glorious melt-in-your-mouth steak, and generous and fresh servings of lobster that are among the best we've tried.

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For a brilliant dinner experience, book yourself in at the hotel's one-Michelin starred French restaurant, Restaurant Petrus. Chef Uwe Opocensky believes in working with the best natural ingredients to create exquisite, gourmand menus that will delight and entice. We sampled the seasonal menu and were blown away by the freshness of the raw ingredients, the inventiveness of the dishes and the beautiful presentation. The restaurant, perched on the 56th floor, also has stunning views of the Victoria Harbour, making it a destination spot we definitely want to visit again and again.

All photos courtesy of Island Shangri-La