Treats For Two

Sun Herald

Sunday September 14, 2008

Christine Sams

Day spas are no longer a woman's domain, with more and more couples taking the plunge, writes CHRISTINE SAMS.

FOR most women, it's a dream come true - sampling massages and facials in the name of journalistic research. For blokes, it's a different story: "You're not going to turn me into a metrosexual," says my bemused partner Glen when I mention couples-pampering.

Slightly reluctantly, he tags along and ends up enjoying the experience - probably more than he cares to admit.

Mind you, during some of the longer massages, he yearns for a plasma television and some sports coverage (more on that later!). Glen is not alone in being suspicious about something long considered a female domain.

For many men, the idea of visiting a day spa seems, well ... a little girly. But things are changing. The industry is noticing a sizeable shift in the number of couples seeking pampering treatments together.

Most often, it is the woman introducing her boyfriend or husband to the experience.

"Couple's treatments are a comfortable and non-threatening introduction for men to explore the benefits of the spa," says Lucy Kennington, director of Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel. "In the past, the spa has been seen as a woman's domain. However, with the increasing pressure of everyday lives, we are finding that more and more men are taking time out to relax and treat themselves."

She says the growing interest is noticeable - about 47 per cent of visitors to the Spa at the the Four Seasons are now men, often as the other half of a couple.

"I think men are becoming more aware of the day spas out there and women are encouraging their partners to come along," says Felicity Percival, editor of Women's Health. "It's a nice kind of bonding experience, as opposed to, say, watching a movie ... it's more sensual."

Percival has noticed the trend closer to home - her fiance is about to make his first visit to a day spa. "It's definitely a first - he's an AFL player, a blokey bloke," she says.

Clever spa operators are trying to make their facilities more "man-friendly" to boost the couples market.

Michael Lloyd-White, founder and CEO of Body Inc, has remodelled the Korean Bathhouse in Potts Point.

It has a traditional, luxurious feel but Lloyd-White feels strongly that men do not want to be alienated by aloof customer service, or long waiting times.

One part of the solution? A large-scale, plasma TV in the men's lounge.

OUR VERDICT

Christine and Glen rate Sydney's top pampering packages.

The Spa at the Four Seasons

199 George Street, Sydney

Couples Reconnection Indulgence Package, $595

Phone: (02) 9250 3388

She says "The massage was incredible, the heat and sensation of the hot stone massage was like nothing else I've experienced. I enjoyed the overall sense of calm and quiet, the therapists went out of their way to ensure total relaxation."

He says "I loved the hot stones, I liked having a spa and sauna beforehand. The facilities were great, it was the total package. Time seemed to go incredibly slowly - don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I was a little bored."

The Day Spa at the Observatory Hotel

89-113 Kent Street, Sydney

Couples Luxe Therapy, $640 per couple

Phone: (02) 8248 5250

She says "This sounded so divine with the promise of La Prairie skin caviar, but I was disappointed. The staff seemed rushed, there was a lot of clanging and banging during the facial, so it was hard to unwind. My skin did look amazing afterwards, though."

He says "It wasn't relaxing at all - too noisy, too busy. They put too much stuff on my face that didn't need to be there, it didn't feel natural. For a bloke, what they do is not worth the hassle."

Body Inc (formerly the Korean Bathhouse)*

Level 1, 224 Victoria St , Potts Point.

VIP couples therapy. VIP room $300 for first hour (including 60-minute treatment) then $150 per hour after that, with treatments extra.

Phone: (02) 9356 3477

She says "This entire experience was excellent. I was initially self-conscious about nudity during the body scrub, but the therapist put me at ease by explaining the Korean tradition behind the very vigorous exfoliation, which left my skin gleaming. I loved the old-fashioned ingredients for the facial including fresh honey and cucumber."

He says "It was the best massage I've ever had - it felt like you got some benefit out of it. Same with the scrub. The setting was amazing, very romantic for two people. They had beer, too."

* The Bathhouse is expected to reopen officially by September 30, but bookings are now being taken.

© 2008 Sun Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home