St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa, Singapore

SPA TREATMENT MENU Lobby Mu Tong VIP Suite for Couples Aquatic Pool Contact       St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa • Address: 238A Thomson Road Novena Square #08-01 (Shopping Mall) Singapore 307684 • Phone: (65) 62982234 • Fax: (65) 62980700 • Email • Web Site Evelyn Chen Email: evelyn@leaf-pebble.com   Other Articles by Evelyn Chen • The Waroeng Djamoe Spa at The Hotel Tugu, Bali • Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan • Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran • Interview with Belinda Shepherd, Spa Director at Four Seasons Bali • Amrita Spa, Raffles City Singapore • Asian Spa at The Fullerton Hotel • Mandara Spa, Magellan Sutera Harbour in Sabah, Malaysia  Related Resources • Spas in Asia The Tropical Spa : Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty & Relaxation by Sophie Benge

Tucked on the 8th floor of the Novena Square mall is the St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa (“Therapeutic Spa”).Owned and operated by St. Gregory Spa Pte Ltd (which operates a total of 5 spas in Singapore, of which 3 are self-owned), the Therapeutic Spa provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. At 30,000 square feet, it boasts 10 ladies' and 7 men's treatment rooms (including “Mu Tong”, Steam Bath and Sauna), a VIP suite for couples, separate men's and ladies' changing / locker rooms, and an oxygenated lounge. It also houses hydrobath and hydrojet treatment rooms, physiotherapist and physician rooms, medical rooms, a gym, a hair salon, and Singapore’s first aquatic pool. 

The spa offers an integrated holistic healing approach. Its extensive menu embraces the gamut of Eastern and Western treatments, physiotherapy services, health and fitness services, water fitness programs and traditional Chinese “Tui Na” (Chinese word for massage) by qualified Chinese physicians. 

As I stepped through its glass door, I was awed by the Therapeutic Spa’s voluminous ceiling and chic design. The interior projected charm, luxury and warmth with its cream shades, sycamore wood panels, natural light, neutral tones, and the generous showcase of local artwork. I was given a tour of the spa and could not help but wish that I could find some time to enjoy a complete water body massage at Singapore’s only Aquatic Pool after my treatments. 

I changed into my swimming costume and was guided into a Japanese “Mu Tong” (Chinese word for wooden tub) treatment room - there were 3 circular and 1 rectangular “Mu Tong” raised on a wooden platform. As the therapist added Aromatic Bath Salt (with orange and vanilla fragrance) into the rectangular wooden tub filled with warm water (40 degree Celsius), I settled in and the powerful water jets started working on my back. After a while, I decided to sit with my feet facing the jets, and was rewarded with a relaxing and painless water jet foot reflexology.  

After sipping a cup of chamomile tea at the oxygenated lounge, I had a quick shower and was led into a single treatment room. Chooi Fan, my therapist, began with ear candling treatment using Hopi ear candles made with beeswax, honey extracts and crushed herbs (Sage, St. John’s Wort and Chamomile). The ritual, which took about 10 minutes each ear, was calming and relaxing. Chooi Fan managed a gentle scalp massage with one hand while firmly holding the ear candle in the other. The crackling and hissing sound of the burning candle exuded an exotic and warm sensation. I also witnessed the “chimney effect” at work as Chooi Fan showed me the wax residue after candling. 

The Japanese Silk Booster Facial (using Elemis products) was next. Chooi Fan commenced with a “welcome touch” by softly but firmly stretching my leg muscles. After removing my makeup with rose petal hydrating cleanser and ginseng toner, Chooi Fan massaged my face using a combination of different facial techniques (Thai, Lomi Lomi, Tui Na and Balinese). The indulging journey continued with a therapeutic scalp massage, skin bath, eye mask and finally a Japanese Silk Mask (soaked in Vitamin C serum). Chooi Fan then placed a lavender and chamomile eye pillow on my eyes to aid relaxation. While she massaged my hands with a moisturizing mask, I could feel the healing and soothing power of the silk mask at work, drawing impurities from my worn-out face. The facial concluded with a fruit active rejuvenating mask (I love the fragrance of those kiwi fruit and strawberry). The facial was truly a decadent experience as Chooi Fan surprised me with 3 different type of warm compresses throughout: a lavender compress for relaxation before the facial massage, a lime compress to refresh after the skin buff and a concluding rose wood compress to calm the soul. I had to bid farewell to Chooi Fan as another therapist made her way into the room for my last treatment. 

The Aroma Stone treatment began with 10 minutes of tea tree oil skin brushing – said to aid blood circulation and prepare the skin to embrace the hot stones. The stones were bathed in water heated to 60 degree Celsius and anointed with essential oil of Ylang Ylang. These heated stones were placed on my key energy points (or chakra) – palms, lower back and behind both shoulders when face down and groin, abdomen, chest and forehead when face up. With a stone on each hand during the massage, the therapist opened my senses on a journey of tactile discoveries. I could feel a steady stream of warm water flowing along the massage “tracks” while the penetrating heat soothed my tired muscles. Different sets of stones were used for the ensuing face and scalp treatment, the experience was however equally exhilarating.  

This is the longest (4.5 hours in total) spa treatment I had in years. As I left the Therapeutic Spa, I felt like I regained my vital force. The glow from my face continued to invite unsolicited compliments even in the days after! I knew that I would come back again to experience the Aquatic Pool someday soon.

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 Photos and graphic courtesy of St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa

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