| Mandara Spa, Magellan Sutera Harbour in Sabah, Malaysia |
|
Nestled in the
ground floor of the Magellan Sutera Resort, offering an excellent view of the
South China Sea, is the
Magellan Mandara Spa. Opened in March 2000 (6th Mandara Spa in Malaysia, 54th
worldwide), the Magellan Mandara Spa is sprawled over 2 levels, and spans 1326
square meters in size.
Magellan
Mandara’s interior draws on Malaysian inspirations and the abundant use of
wooden features and lush tropical foliage reflect its deep Balinese roots. The
spa offers 6 single treatment rooms and 6 double treatment suites (2 located
upstairs with sea-view and 4 on the ground floor with attached steam bath and
garden whirlpool tub). I was guided to a double treatment suite, with steam bath
and garden whirlpool tub, on the ground floor for my 2 hour Harmony Package
experience.
My therapist,
Esther, started by serving me a cup of cool ginger tea and a refreshing cold
peppermint tower. While I was sipping the elixir, she placed my feet into a
wooden tub filled with fresh flowers and warm water. The Aromatic Foot Bath
commenced with a lavender gel wash and salt scrub. The pumice stone then worked
in, ending with an aromatic foot spray of peppermint, mandarin and tea tree
essential oils. My feet felt much lighter instantaneously!
Esther
assisted while I glided smoothly onto the massage bed, all ready for the Coconut
Body Scrub. She started with a Lavender Body Wash before applying the
Coconut Body Scrub over my body. Made with a blend of freshly grated coconut and
fresh ground tumeric, the Coconut Body Scrub had a tonic effect on my dehydrated
skin. The body scrub ended with a carrot conditioner made of seaweed jelly and
fresh grated carrot. It was worth noting that throughout the body scrub
experience, my chest was not “exposed” as Esther had skillfully slipped a
folded linen over my chest area while she pulled down the blanket. That was a
nice touch!
While I had my
shower, Esther prepared the oversized bathtub for my Aromatic Floral Bath. I
could see through the glass shower door as she sprinkled fresh daisies in the
tub already filled with warm water and lavender essential oil. While I was
dipping, Esther brought “Teh Sabah” (Malay word for tea of Sabah), an
exquisite local tea served with a tinge of sugar. The relaxing and aromatic soak
lasted for 20 minutes, and I got up ready to experience my last treatment, the
traditional facial.
Esther began
the facial with the normal routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. She
prepared a facial scrub made with a blend of ground corn powder, fresh grated
carrot and carrot juice and slowly formed a smooth paste over my face. While
awaiting the scrub to work into the skin, I enjoyed a 15 minutes foot, scalp,
face, chest and shoulder massage. At this stage, I was feeling so relaxed that I
could feel myself dozing off while Esther removed the scrub and applied a layer
of warm facial mask (made of clay and fresh carrot juice) over my face. When I
woke up, Esther had completed the hand massage and removed the mask, all while I
was snoozing! I felt completely refreshed, and was pleasantly surprised when I
looked in the mirror – I had a smooth glow over my “well polished” skin.
It was dusk. I
could feel the South China Sea breeze brushing against my cleansed skin as I
stepped out of the spa. I sat on a bench outside the spa, facing the sea – all
I wanted to do then was to let that memorable spa experience sink in.
Note: Unable to resist the lure of a massage, I went back to the spa the next day to experience their signature Mandara Massage. Esther and another therapist “danced” in sync with each other as they indulged me in a smooth combination of Shiatsu, Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Balinese and Thai massages. The experience was heavenly – it can only be described with superlatives, nothing less!
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Vote in the Spa Site Polls
Share your spa experiences in Canada on the Spa Site Forum in the "Share Your Spa Experience" folder.
Please help support this site by clicking the ads that appear here.
Like this article? Want to read more? Check out the Previous Features
