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.

Spa by the Beach (“Spa Cabana” @ East Coast Park) March 16, 2009

It always sounds nice to tell someone that you are going to have a spa or massage by the beach in Singapore. Yes it is truth in this sense, but only not exactly By The Beach….it is Near The Beach.

There’s this outlet at East Coast Park (ECP) , Spa Cabana. I know of this place through a fellow friend’s recommendation and I thought it will be nice to drop by as I go ECP pretty often to relax by the beach.

It is relatively affordable and there are several free facilities such as the refreshment, body scrub and also jacuzzi usage. And yes, the carpark at ECP is free too.

I tried their Thai massage and was greeted by a local masseuse in my room. She had a pretty smile worn on her as she greeted me with her palm closed like how a Thai will greet you. I specifically told her of my sore neck and wanted her to relief the pain I had accumulated over the past week through hours staring at the computer. She was kind enough to show me what level of strength she used from light to heavy and asked my preferences.

As her warm palms cuddle and massaged the neck muscles, it was really so relaxing to the extent that it felt absolutely nice to just simply doze off. After my request on the neck portion, she proceeded on with the standard Thai massage routine of “body twisting”. My back was thoroughly stretched and I can hear myself release a comfortable…”ah…”

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.

Pretty Masseuse (“XiYuan” @ Jalan Sultan) February 23, 2009

First impressions always count and also the ambassador of a massage or spa centre is often represented by the service crew themselves. There are some outlets that have very high emphasis of good looks in their masseuse that I noticed all their crew were of great looking standards (at least based on my observation at the point of time that I came across)…while there are those who just simply employ masseuse based on skills and not to care whether they are ‘auntie-looking’ or not.

Well, its a world of packaging nowadays. A good example will be Xiyuan, just opposite Textile Centre taxi stand. Located at the second level, I was led into a small room with dimly lit lights. Walking past about 4-5 service staffs, I must admit there were all quite some great lookers. It didn’t take long before my young pretty masseuse began the massage. She was pretty soft-spoken but through her replies in a typical mandarin, I can guess she’s likely from China.

The massage skills applied were sensational when her kneading coupled with a minty rub off my body. As she pressed on the back along my waist area, I could feel tension just oozing away. As she moved from the top to the bottom of my legs, she nimble every single nerves of my 10 toes. It felt ticklish initially as I didn’t expect that, but it was quite a refreshing feeling. She pounded my soles with her mini fists…simple yet effectively feeling good.

Nice & Cosy (“The 80′s Reflexology” @ Jalan Besar) February 10, 2009

In this service industry like spa and massage, the crew and personnel involved are of crucial importance. Because they are of direct contact with clients and they either make or break the brand. Through word-of-mouth, that’s the most effective medium that can spread like wildfire…good or bad.

The masseuse who serviced me at this outlet is also the receptionist who received me. Their masseuse on standby will always be on the receiving front whom will eventually lead the customer like myself to the room. The room though small on individual space, it emits a sense of cosy feeling in within.

In the room, light music was played in the background to enhance the mood for relaxation. My masseuse came into the room and positioned herself for the massage process. After indicating that I had a spur of headaches a few days before, she proceeded on with a good lengthy massage on my head…my temples and even some light facial massage. I think it might have lasted quite a while but I did not want her to stop, it was just feeling really comfortable.

Down to my shoulders was slapped on with some massage aromatherapy oil. And my upper body felt light, especially after a fabulous head massage.

Massage near Army Camp (“Spa on Green” @ Jalan Kayu) February 9, 2009

In Singapore, it is compulsory for all guys to be enlisted in the army. And what’s more than a good massage to soothe a tired body after a day of outfield. There’s this spa outlet near Seletar camp vicinity after Jalan Kayu. In my personal opinion, the best time to have a massage and feel it at its best is when you are feeling extremely tired.

That’s when every single pressure press on the tired soul will make you feel absolutely fantastic. The day that I was at Spa on Green, I did saw 2 other guys in the reception holding areas…I just presume that they were tired army guys seeking some relieve.

As I had made an appointment prior to my visit, I was ushered very soon into my own private shower before the actual massage commences. While waiting for my masseuse arrival, I logged onto the available wireless internet connection to check for some business emails. It didn’t take long before a knock came onto my door and I was greeted by my personal masseuse.

The massage came in a gentle manner and the movement of those hands were delicately slow to ensure every muscle tension had been release away. My masseuse used the inner cup of her hands to knead my shoulders and back of my head. She then uses her elbow, coupled with a bit of her light body weight, to apply pressure of my calf in a nice rhythmical manner.

Not only was the massage experience great, but there are additional services such as manual car wash and valet parking which totaled a mere $3 only. This is a place definitely worth visiting again for the value it provides.

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.

A Massage before Supper (“Qianshan Beauty Centre” @ Jalan Kayu) February 2, 2009

It is said by many that one should not have a heavy meal before massage. Jalan Kayu, a famous place in Singapore for roti prata is a sure temptation for supper. However to be discovered, there is more than just good supper in this part of Singapore. We have a good place for massage too – Qianshan Beauty Centre.

When I first went there, it was still newly furbished and my sensitive sense of smell confirmed when I sniffed a light tinge of paint coating. The smell was masked by the beautiful rose scent given out through.

As an appointment had been made earlier on, I was whisked away to my private room by a welcoming masseuse who is already waiting for me. Being in my comfortable spa robe, my long-hair masseuse wasted no time working on my body. Something unique is that, she starts from the bottom…my foot soles. I was pretty surprised as its always been the norm whereby massage starts from the top to bottom. But anyway, it felt really comfortable as she squeezed the sides of my sore ankles.

Having karate chops on my waist and later on proceeding to press on my shoulder points using both her thumbs. As we were about 10minutes towards the end of the session, she began chatting with me and I found that she was from China, Harbin. That explains her lanky height too from the northern region of China.

The session ended with me feeling rather pleased and satisfied. Next up, roti prata of course…