15 November, 2013
Beauty

A fabulous facial and marvellous massage at MiraSpa, The Mira in Tsim Sha Tsui

15 November, 2013

With party season fast approaching but the last vestiges of summer still playing havoc with my poor pores (I blame the clogging-yet-essential SPF 40 I have to slather on my paper-thin English skin), I was looking forward to a facial at the urban-chic and totally glam MiraSpa. Seated in the plush, minimalist waiting area, our friendly receptionist set me to work identifying my skin concerns – dullness, dryness, fine lines, blemishes… how about I just tick the ‘all of the above’ box and we’ll go from there?!

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MiraSpa is a tranquil haven away from the TST turmoil. Situated in the soothingly-lit basement of The Mira Hotel, this sleek modern spa boasts nine treatment rooms plus two VIP spa suites, a salon, heat facilities, a flotation lounge with water-beds, and what can only be described as the Studio 54 of infinity swimming pools… disco diving, anyone? We were especially impressed that we even got to pick our own soundtracks for our treatments!

I turned out to be the ideal test subject for the effectiveness of the MiraSpa’s skin treatments as, on the day, my face was Sahara-dry from the cheeks up, but had randomly broken out into an unsightly rash along my jawline. Gorgeous! My therapist Ganga carefully assessed my skin condition and sensitivity before choosing to combine elements from both the hydrating Aromatherapy Associates Rose Aromatic Facial and the Purifying Orange Flower Facial in order to restore balance to my sad skin.

My face was carefully cleansed, before a gentle and aromatic scrub was applied, gently buffing away all those dulling cells prior to a methodical extraction. The facial massage was heavenly, lulling me into a comatose state (I’m not 100% certain that I didn’t snore… sorry Ganga!) and the hot towels throughout felt divine on my parched skin. Post-treatment, my skin appeared calmer and less irritated, with my bumpy red rash way less obvious and my dry skin feeling less tight and dehydrated. The next morning my skin looked considerably improved, and I felt fresher and happy to head out without my usual slap – a brave move for me.

MiraSpa_Couples Suite 2

Meanwhile, Rach had been packed off for the signature 60-minute Mira Massage, having written ‘STRESS’ with several underlines on her form! Based on Chinese Elemental philosophies (oooerrrr), this is essentially a deluxe full body massage, using hot stones and essential oils to help relax, restore and rejuvenate.

Things kicked off with a Foot Ritual (a mini foot wash and massage) before getting into the massage proper – 60 solid minutes of kneading away at all those muscular aches and pains. Rach’s therapist (also called Rachel – great name!) was absolutely lovely, checking on the pressure of her strokes and the temperature of the room throughout, and was able to tailor her technique to my personal preferences. In fact, the therapists at the MiraSpa can even chuck in some advanced sports therapy techniques for any more serious niggles.

Unfortunately, I found the hot stones seemed to lose their heat a little too quickly (I like it hot!) but overall, it was an incredibly relaxing experience that, as usual with massages, was over far too soon. Sign me up for the 90-minute version next time!

With many of the hotel spas in the city offering more traditional grandeur, it’s cool to come across a more modern, funky version that doesn’t stint on that feeling of luxury either. We also hear the MiraSpa is an excellent spot for girlie get-togethers, thanks to a nifty Nail Bar with some seriously plush looking sofas! So next time we’re in the mood for a sophisticated pampering sesh in Tsim Sha Tsui, we know where we’ll be headed!

The Rose Aromatic Facial lasts 60 minutes and costs $880 on weekdays and $920 on weekends

The Mira Massage lasts either 60 or 90 minutes and costs $895/$1,220 on weekdays and $925/$1,260 at weekends

The Mira Hong Kong  118-130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
2368 1111  www.themirahotel.com

kate f and rach sig

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