A Massage after Shopping (“Aiko Health Spa” @ Tanglin Road) April 14, 2009

This spa is located in the midst of a shopping centre. It has the claim of relaxing your mind and body in a cosy ambience. You will be able to treat yourself with a wide range of their services. Their body massages are provided in individual rooms with shower attached.

Some other facilities include steambath, sauna, jacuzzi and a coffee lounge. If you like to, you may also opt to relax yourself at the Theatre Room and have a go at the mini buffett with some light refreshments. The operation hours are between 10am till 11pm.

Skillful Massage? (“Skill Massage Centre” @ Orchard Towers) April 13, 2009

The shop’s outlet name is “Skill Massage Centre” and that makes one ponder how skillful are their masseuse? It claims to be newly opened and has a promotion that is $42 an hour. This is located at Orchard Towers and they offer Aromatherapy, Swedish Massage, Shiatsu Massage and Thai Massage.

Watching Balls! (“Sasha Spa” @ Selegie Rd) March 17, 2009

There was this special promotion going on that says with every group of 4 friends, there will be 1 free massage. So who will be the one getting this free massage? Obviously there are two ways, splitting the costs evenly or…the one who knows about this free massage.

Well, in this case, all four of us know about it! The 4 of us went on a Saturday evening together for this massage session and I chose the Swedish massage. We were rushing for time, reason being we understand there was a theatre room for us to catch our EPL soccer games on their cable channel.

I was showed my into my room and was followed up by my masseuse soon. She was gentle looking and I on first appearance, I wanted to ask her to give me a hard massage…a solid one to relief my uptight muscles. Yes, I did ask her to put in strength but yes, I did get it in return too. She really did have some powerful strength given her body size and gentle appearance.

The grinding motion of the back of her palms were especially soothing when she goes back and forth my shoulders. The smooth transition from the massaging of my upper body to the lower body was simply a pleasure when she kneaded my calf with the precise strength needed for me to enjoy the massage.

The session was well over within the specific time limit and my friends met up together at the theatre room. During half-time, we still got the luxury of having a quick soak at the jacuzzi. The evening spent there was really just a relaxing one.

Hotel Massage (“Shing Health Spa” @ Kitchener Rd) March 3, 2009

Just like the previous post, this outlet is also located in a hotel…but a much smaller budgeted one. I don’t remember in the past seeing many spa nor massage outlets are in Singapore hotels. But now, it seems that the trend has caught on for this. I used to engage in massage services at the hotel in China during my business trips. It is always nice to have one when you are overseas and feel tired from all those hectic runs.

I did not call to make any appointment with Shing Health Spa as it was an impromptu decision to just pop by. Fortunately, there was a masseuse available for me at the moment I stepped in. In fact, if I were to be late by a minute, I will have to wait as there was another guy who just walked in too.

In an individual room, I went for my shower before engaging in the relaxing process of a Swedish massage. It is by far one of the more common type of massage Singaporeans will opt for. The constant kneading of my shoulder blade area was especially nice. My masseuse seem to form a rhythm as she patted my back. The glide of her hands from the top all the way to the bottom at my calf area…kinda depict the smooth transition from my previous work stress state to the current total relaxed state.

Cool Masseuse (“Zen Health Centre” @ Bugis) March 2, 2009

I guess it might possibly be because it is located inside a hotel that gives me the feeling I am out of Singapore for a massage. Although it is not a very posh hotel, but I do like the idea very much that it is situated right by the pool. The whole cosy ambience under the dim moonlight reflection on the water just set the relaxation mood in place.

No…it is not massage by the pool…it is just located near. I wish so too, of course. Besides the nice environment, the charming masseuse that greeted me as I entered was pretty much a welcoming sight. As I had made a previous booking, I was ushered into my room without any wait.

I requested for a slow and sturdy massage…wanting a firm rub down my body after a day work of stress. My stiff shoulders were soon eased with tender comfort under the skillful squeeze of my masseuse. She was especially quiet without saying a single word since she greeted me at the reception. I enjoyed the nimble action of her fingers on my shoulders. Although there were no fragrant massage oil applied nor was the place filled with aromatherapy scent, I inhaled a light scent of perfume from my masseuse. “Nice perfume”, I commented. She just smiled, “It’s just the handsoap”. No more words were further exchange after that and the session came to an end soon on the dot. Well, she seemed to be a pretty cool person on appearance.

Late Night Massage (“Youth Health Centre” @ Middle Road) February 24, 2009

It is called Youth Health Centre. How this name is derive could possibly be related to the masseuse and service crew present in this massage outlet. For a very affordable fee of $30++, I was able to get a good massage by a youthful lady. Also at the outlet, there is the sauna and steambath. Each room comes with individual privacy.

My massage experience at this outlet was a rejuvenating one, it has been since a quite while that I got a chatty masseuse. I found out that she had been working in this industry for slightly more than a year.  I understand that there are many who wouldn’t like to talk or chat during a massage, but I guess I was in a mood for a chat at that point of time. The massage given was relaxing and especially good when she came applying pressure on my calf. Going in circular motion applying some massage oil, the scent coming out from the oil had actually made the overall experience a better one.

Her delicate hands kneaded gently on top of my neck. Good one.

A Zen Experience (“Urban Zen Spa” @ The Adelphi) February 16, 2009

There was a period of time in Singapore when the word “Zen” became somewhat a trendy word to use. Looking up the dictionary, I saw that it meant: “To figure out something by meditation or by a sudden flash of enlightenment.”

This word alone has a very calm and yet deep sense of meaning to it. Finding my way down to Urban Zen Spa was a breeze as it was directly just opposite Funan IT Mall at City Hall area. Located at the basement level, it was pretty quiet during that afternoon period. In within the buzzing city, but yet away from the buzz of the city is how I will describe this outlet.

The masseuse allocated to me was a very young girl charming girl. The smile was carried on her face from the moment she introduced herself till the end of the session seeing me off. That is what I will deem as a good service pointer for crews to maintain that smile.

As she began rubbing my body and scrubbing some dead skin cells, it was in her courtesy to ask where are some of my preferred aching parts to be massaged. Along the process she will gradually apply pressure and ask if she needs to increase her strength. The thumping action of her hands on my back and waist was very much pleasurable.

With a quiet ambience and good customer service provided, this is pretty much well worth it.

Feel like a King (“Royal Palace” @ Newton Rd) February 3, 2009

How do you define feeling like a King in Singapore? In this era and society, cash is King. However it might not necessary that the more you spend, the more you will be treated like a King.

It is the feeling of respect and importance that makes one wants to go back to Royal Palace again for a massage. The service is indeed excellent. For example, they address you by your name from the reception front at the beginning till the end when you leave the door. It is this type of service that makes you feel like a VIP.

This was the first time that I was at Royal Palace, however I brought a friend along. He is a regular and mentioned that there were constant new faces and that meant different massage experiences he gets. Having changed into our bathing suit, we were soon treated to a luxurious feeling of massage.

In a private ambience, my masseuse greeted me and asked for my preferences and if I had any specified points I wish to heal and be massaged. I had a game of squash the day before and was feeling an ache over some muscle parts. Her gentle and petite looks were naturally deceiving as I soon found out her strength in performing her skills. It was a good rub from neck to toe that lasted for an hour.

The session ended pretty much on the dot and my friend came out the same time as I did. We left feeling a sense of lightness on our body, but that’s before being served with warm tea and our respective masseuse taking the effort in seeking reviews on their massage skills.

Relax after Shopping (“Pissa Health Centre” @ Cuppage Plaza) January 27, 2009

We do understand that Orchard is one of the most expensive area in Singapore. Having a massage there can cost you quite a lot naturally. That’s what most will think of. But there’s this outlet at Cuppage Plaza where it only costs $35 for 45mins. On average, massage therapy in Singapore will cost approximately $1.00 per minute of time spent or even less, whether it can be an actual full body massage at a clinic, centre or spa. And that is equivalent to about $50 for 50 minutes of relaxation. While many are willing to spend $50 to dine out buy coffee at famous outlets weekly… why not spend it on something more worthwhile for relaxation?

At the Pissa Health Centre, the cosy ambience combines well with the array of facilities in provides. A theatre room and coffee lounge in the setting. The steam and sauna at a corner. The masseuse does her charming job of work on your body as you rest well on the comfortable bed. She presses on the body with adequate pressure and held on for a moment before releasing with a soft rub.

The experience at this outlet was indeed a de-stressing one. A recommended outlet.