A Japanese Experience (“Elegance Health Spa” @ Japanese Garden) March 23, 2009

Fancy having a Japanese massage in Singapore? That will definitely going to be costly but at least there’s a place for a nice massage at Japanese Garden Rd…and it is economical.

The business hours are till 11pm at night and I went there just an hour before their closing time. Parking is free over there. I came a bit late to understand from them that there’s a special promotion should you go during the off peak hours from 11am – 5pm period. But since I am there, and it is still highly affordable even without the promo, why not?

I was led to my room by my masseuse whom had this charming smile on her that seems to brighten up the night for me. I got to know that she was at a very young age and started as a masseuse just a few months ago. But it was soon that I got to feel her massage techniques were pretty good even though she hasn’t had years of experience doing this.

The rub off my back was good and firm with constant kneading and I can feel that she is very hardworking…on my tired back. She used the back of her hands to ‘roll’ around in circular motions and it was nice to have her tender hands squeeze the pressures off my shoulders.

The whole session ended promptly on the dot and it was also time for the ladies at the spa centre to knock off work. Sayonara for both me and the ladies for the night.

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…”

Painful! *Ouch massage! March 5, 2009

I have recently got to know this Caucasian ‘ang mo’ guy from Canada. He is here in Singapore for business trip. I shared with him some of the good massage and spa outlets we have here. And in return, he generously paid for one of the session! Anyway, there’s something more interesting to share about from one of his experience:

It was also a business trip but to another South East Asia country (I shall not name the country). He was suppose to be relaxing but instead got his massage last month turned into an excruciating hour of torture on the table of a heavy-handed masseuse. He described to me in a way that he masseuse was as if she was digging for something on his back. And continued pounding on him. The contradicting thing is that this masseuse was very petite standing at approximately 155cm only. But her strength was gigantic!

Although he gently told her that it was painful, she dismissed it by saying that this was what he needed to relax all his tense muscles.

I will never think of that happening in Singapore…at least, I hope I won’t meet such a masseuse…looks small but has hidden muscles, too strong! too overpowering!

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.

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…

Trap Kneading Massage January 22, 2009

This is known as the trap kneading massage. Many times we are tired and we need a massage in this busy society in Singapore. But the person who really needs a massage sometimes is – the masseuse herself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tua9H9oKyIQ&feature=related

This is comfy (“Ning Beauty” @ Indus Road”) January 20, 2009

I would say the massage standards in Singapore is pretty much comparable to many neighbouring countries. Although we do understand that there are many who swears by going to Indonesia or Thailand for a cheap massage for a lengthy period of time, it is here too, that the prices aren’t really that steep.

At Ning Beauty, it is pegged at $30 for an hour’s session. With a skillful masseuse in the privacy of your individual room, you can get a pretty good deal too. I was greeted in an amicable manner by my receiving masseuse and thought she was possibly in an ideal mood. We briefly chatted for a moment and I got to know that she was from Malaysia.

Her knuckles kneaded past my body and hands. As she applied the same method on my shoulders, she began adding massage oil and brushed downwards off my shoulders. I informed her of my aching hands as previously I had carried some heavy materials while moving house for my relatives. She focused on my pair of sore hands and pounded lightly with karate chops in rhythm.

The whole process ended slightly more than an hour into time and it feels absolutely good. I thank my masseuse and she sees me off to the door front. A simple relaxing place to be.