ESPA at Resort World Sentosa

ESPA

Before you step into ESPA, you must know that the simple act of your friend sending you in via the RWS carpark will cost him $6. Yes, $6 for less than 5 mins. Opps! Thank you Jimmy!

I only found out later that if I got him to drop me off at the casino drop off point, it would have been free. I could have gotten a shuttle bus from Festive Hotel or Hard Rock Hotel to ESPA. A shuttle bus is available every 15mins in a circular route from one hotel to another in RWS.

Getting off at the carpark, you walk into a lift. With no signs to tell you which level ESPA is located on, you might just do what I did, press both other levels and hope for the best. Now that you are reading this, just press one, it leads you directly to ESPA.

Welcome to the world of relaxation and peace.

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I was really impressed by the spacious lobby filled with comfortable looking seats. You can also browse through their gallery of oils, scrubs and other lotions that you can choose to purchase to recreate the whole spa experience back home. The whole place smells really lovely, and you can smell the spa the moment the lift door opens.

First, I was led to a lovely area where I sat, filling up the form indemnifying them from any mishaps that may occur at the spa. The form also contained points which I had to check off if I had any of the ailments or allergies. They even have a section for contact lens wearers ( which I am ). A consultant came over to bring me to the next level - changing room and bathrobe. She explained that usually, people would enjoy the facilities before the actual massage, and most people will come an hour to two hours earlier. Over at ESPA, if you are late, your treatment time is cut short. They are very timely here, so after being given this warning over the phone and by my consultant again, I changed into the robe in double time. My booking time is at 1815, and it was already 1810. The consultant then walked me to the Tea Room and told me that my therapist will meet me here. I looked around, there was little to do, so I took some photos. It was already 1813, will my therapist be late? Will I have a shorter treatment time because of that? I'm a worrier by nature, and the inner dialogue that I have can be rather funny at times.

At 1814 my therapist arrived to take me to the room allocated for my treatment. She was dressed in the ESPA brown, with no shoes and the material of her uniform looked really expensive - thick cotton I think. Still on time, but there is still the consultation whereby she will personalize my massage accordingly after. I think my treatment time will be cut short after all. She sat me down on the couch and asked a few questions, after which, she gave me two oils to choose from, explaining what they were for and what they contained. I chose the detox. Thereafter, I thought I was going to have to climb up to get to the massage bed, but she said this bed is really expensive because it can be lowered and every portion of this bed can be adjusted. It is now 1815, time for the massage to start. They are exactly on time! I disrobed and she came in to adjust the towels carefully, protecting my modesty at all times. After checking that the music volume, light level and temperature was to my liking, she started spreading the oil. 

The bed that is fully adjustable. Lovely view outside is shut off the moment the treatment begins.

Different scrubs and oils that are used for treatment.

Even their light source is so pretty. The whole room speaks of relaxation and luxury.

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The massage itself was fantastic, the therapist, Doreen was responsive and was able to respond to my cries of harder or softer almost immediately. The pressure was perfect, and her strokes were proper as well. I asked if they all went through the same training, as there was a kind of system I was able to detect in her massage. Like the fact that her hands were always warm, always keeping in contact with one part of my body, strokes symmetrical for both left and right of my body, towels always kept in place with a special folding method and her step by step explanation of the smelling bowl beneath my face were all clues that a proper training was conducted by ESPA for all their therapists. 

Doreen mentioned that if they didn't pass the tests that were performed after training, they were not allowed to work. Amazing standards, I was very relaxed the entire time though I was subconsciously evaluating ESPA. After the massage concluded, I expected a hard sell of products, but Doreen only mentioned that if I liked any of the oils or the hair mask that was used, I can purchase them from the reception. In all, I had a very enjoyable time with Doreen, and at 1915 sharp, the massage was concluded. They are really timely here at ESPA. What is to follow is even more amazing. After a massage, you are not supposed to shower for at least an hour, so that the oils can penetrate your skin properly. Heat experiences are good, so I went for the Rock Sauna and the Crystal Steam Room.

All in all, I enjoyed the massage and spa experience immensely, and I only went home at 2115, since I was allowed to use the facilities like outdoor jacuzzi, onsen pool and more, even after the treatment. More photos available in the photo gallery. After leaving ESPA, I am definitely coming back soon, this time with my Mum. I think my mum will enjoy the whole experience very much as well!