Spa Awards 2021: The Best Body and Wellness Experiences That Soothe Both Mind and Body

We curate the best sculpting, firming and relaxing treats that take care of more than just your body in this year's Spa Awards.

BEST ANTI-CELLULITE TREATMENT

SMOOTH & TIGHT RADIOFREQUENCY AND VACUUM TREATMENT, $280 for 30 minutes, EstheClinic

No one likes skin that looks like an orange peel. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the appearance of cellulite, but for a tech boost to help things along, there is this non-invasive treatment that utilises radiofrequency energy and vacuum suction technology. The radio waves heat up and break down the fat cells beneath the skin while stimulating collagen production and tightening existing collagen and elastin fibres. The vacuum suction, meanwhile, works to accelerate fat burning, so what you get is a smoother look and feel, plus a confidence- boosting shapelier silhouette over time. 

BEST AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

REBALANCING MASSAGE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS, $185 for 60 minutes, Clarins Skin Spa

A massage by itself is a beautiful thing, but throw in essential oils, and what you get is a real pampering treat that indulges body, mind and soul. With this aromatherapy massage, you decide which direction to take: The stimulating “Tonic” Oil delivers an energising boost both physically and mentally, while the “Relax” Oil lulls you into a tranquil state for an utterly peaceful hour. No matter which one you pick, the strokes—which vary in intensity based on your needs and preferences—are guaranteed to melt all tension, so you walk out rejuvenated in all senses of the word.

BEST BODY POLISHER

CHARME D’ORIENT BODY SCRUB, $120 for 45 minutes, Remède Spa at The St. Regis Singapore

There’s just something about exfoliating treatments that leave you physically and mentally revitalised. This one for the body polishes away dullness with a gentle, indulgent scrub before cocooning it in a vitamin-rich emulsion, leaving skin soft, smooth and tinged with a natural-looking glow. 

BEST BODY-SCULPTING TREATMENT

PROIONIC SLIMMING TREATMENT, $400 for 30 minutes, Spa Infinity

Enhance your contours with this treatment driven by INDIBA’s patented Proionic system, which employs the use of radiofrequency energy at 448 kHz to break down fat cells and promote a balanced state of ions in the body, in turn promoting blood and lymphatic circulation as well as stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. 

BEST BODY-SHAPING TREATMENT

COOLSCULPTING FAT FREEZING, $500 for 30 minutes, Dr Kevin Chua Medical & Aesthetics

Putting in the hours at the gym and eating clean, but still having trouble with stubborn pockets of fat? This non-invasive treatment will help tip the scales in your favour. It uses controlled cooling to freeze fat cells, after which they will be gradually metabolised by the body and naturally flushed out by the lymphatic system. There are different applicators designed for the various areas where stubborn fat usually resides, such as the love handles, abdomen and inner thighs, so the cooling plates can be precisely applied to the targeted areas. 

BEST DEEP-TISSUE MASSAGE

SIGNATURE ASIAN BLEND MASSAGE, $165 for 30 minutes; $325 for 90 minutes, Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La Singapore

With international travel still up in the air, those battling a serious case of wanderlust can take a figurative trip through Asia with this deep-tissue massage that utilises techniques from Bali, Malaysia, Thailand, China and India to restore and rebalance the energies in the body. The goal here is to unblock the flow of qi—what the Chinese refer to as the circulating life force—to promote better blood and lymphatic circulation. While it is recommended for those who have trouble sleeping, we say it works just as well for individuals looking to re-energise. 

BEST DETOXIFYING BODY CLEANSE

HERBAL DETOX WRAP, From $325 for 90 minutes, Raffles Spa at Raffles Hotel Singapore

To maintain a smooth, supple appearance, the skin on the body needs a good detox too. For that, there’s this invigorating treatment, which begins with dry brushing to promote circulation while exfoliating and stimulating lymphatic drainage. To further draw out toxins, a blend of herbs, spices and citrus body oil is applied all over before your body is wrapped in a thermal blanket. While the wrap works its magic, your head and shoulders are treated to a soothing massage. Wash it all off after 20 minutes and voila: Softer, smoother skin and even a temporarily slimmer silhouette that may well be the motivation you need to start exercising and eating healthy. 

BEST DRAINAGE MASSAGE

TCM MERIDIAN FLUSH THERAPY,$140 for 30 minutes, Elements Wellness

WFH has benefits but also drawbacks, one of which is the tendency to work longer hours, inevitably resulting in a nagging soreness in the back, shoulders and neck. Here to help is this treatment centred around the idea of unblocking meridians—the pathways in the body along which vital energy is said to flow. Specially shaped wooden bars work towards that goal, promoting good circulation of blood and qi as well as a healthy lymphatic flow, simultaneously relieving stiffness and soreness in the muscles. Who knows, the intense feeling of wellness post-massage may even spill into your work life, mitigating feelings of burnout. 

BEST FAT-BUSTING TREATMENT

REDUSTIM, $150 for 30 minutes, Dr Kevin Chua Medical & Aesthetics

Not all fats are equal. Compared to subcutaneous fats, which lie just beneath the skin and are apparent on the body, the visceral kind, often referred to as the unseen fat that wraps around the abdominal organs, is more of a health concern—with studies linking it to an increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and stroke. This treatment tackles both types of fat with a “bodysuit” that uses a low-frequency biomagnetic field to stimulate muscle contraction and relaxation. This action induces energy consumption, which breaks down both subcutaneous and visceral fat naturally, lowering the body’s overall fat percentage. 

BEST FIRMING MASSAGE

ASIAN HERITAGE SIGNATURE, From $260 for 90 minutes, The Fullerton Spa at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Most folks go for massages to relax tense and sore muscles while giving the mind a break from the daily hustle. But did you know that all that kneading, pinching, stretching and pulling can also help you tone up? This is especially true of massages like this one that utilises oriental massage techniques. Apart from stretching out tight and sore muscles to relieve tension, the various handwork employed helps to unblock meridians, promoting better blood and oxygen flow throughout the body to help improve muscle strength and tone. The massage also helps break up fatty deposits, stimulates the lymph system to flush toxins from the body (which also helps repair damage) and spurs collagen production.

BEST RELAXING SPA

BACK TO BALANCE, $250 for 90 minutes, Spa Esprit

If you’re looking for a sesh to recharge and reset, this one delivers splendidly with its blend of essential oils as well as artful thumb slides and palm walks that release tensions held by the body to bring it back to balance. 

BEST ALTERNATIVE WELLNESS EXPERIENCE

SUPER VIBRATOR, $250 for 120 minutes, Spa Esprit

No, it’s not what you think it is. The vibrations alluded to in the name refer to those caused by sound waves created in this new-age treatment that combines energy reading, sound therapy and aromatherapy. Kicking things off is an energy reading that helps determine the essential oil to be used during the massage, which is bookended by the sounding of Tibetan singing bowls and tingsha (small cymbals) that sets the stage for a restorative two hours. The massage itself utilises long, fluid strokes to coax the mind and body into a relaxed state, so you emerge from the session feeling rested and centred. 

BEST RELAXING TOP‑TO‑TOE EXPERIENCE

ESPA INDULGENCE, $520 for 90 minutes, The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

Why choose between pampering the face or the body when you can show love to both? True indulgence comes in the form of this treatment, where two therapists work in tandem first on the face (ESPA Signature Facial) and then the body, easing all signs of stress and tension with a thoroughly relaxing massage right down to your tippy toes.

MOST LUXURIOUS DAY SPA EXPERIENCE

CHERISHED BLISS, $460 for 180 minutes, Remède Spa at The St. Regis Singapore

The closest thing to an overseas spa retreat right now, Cherished Bliss takes you on a sensorial journey that lets you luxuriate in complete repose. The experience starts off with a lavish body scrub to slough away dead skin. This preps the body for a relaxing massage that goes on for 60 minutes and features long, artful strokes to ease tension and lull the body into restfulness. A 30-minute express facial and the signature Bastien’s Pedicure follow, extending the pampering to your face and feet. Rounding things off is a meal prepared by the chefs at The St. Regis Singapore, designed to nourish the mind, body and spirit. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Anna Daki CREATIVE DIRECTION: Andrei Iovu MODEL: Feli Rastar/ Miha Model Management MAKEUP AND HAIR: Helena Narra