Sassy Guest Blogger – Zen & Wellness

UPDATE: Zen & Wellness has unfortunately gone out of business and has been replaced by a completely separate spa called Spa Collections. Things change fast in Hong Kong!!

This small spa on a busy stretch of Queen’s Road Central is a regular Valupedia promoter and has great value deals. At $198 for 3 facial treatments, their recent package sounded too good to be true so I went along to investigate for myself.

Situated on the 11^th Floor of the Siu Ying Commercial Building, at first glance Zen is pretty typical of many of the smaller day spas here in the city. The décor is tastefully neutral, with lots of wicker seating and bamboo and a large display of Sothys products, the French brand used in house.

Staff are extremely friendly here and I must admit that I was fully expecting the usual hard sell on treatment packages. I was pleasantly surprised to be led into a small office by Cora, who conducted an initial consultation and recommended treatments to suit my skin type…and that was it. So far, so impressive.

After selecting a Sothys facial with an extra oxygen mask and eye treatment, I was led into another tastefully decorated treatment room and left to change into a very sexy bottle green velvet strapless wrap! Thankfully there was no-one about to see me, so I got changed, lay down and zoned out to the usual combination of whale music and fragranced oil.

Spas always send me to sleep so I apologise if I have missed a few details, but essentially, this is everything you’d expect from a facial. Starting with a thorough cleanse with facial massage and exfoliation, a clay mask is applied and you are left to doze relax.

Then for the most important part of a facial: the extraction. Living in the grime of Hong Kong, this is essential maintenance, and I’m pleased to say that thorough attention was given to all my problem areas. Ok, so it isn’t especially enjoyable but my therapist checked throughout to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable which was appreciated. A moisturising mask and another snooze chance to relax to the sound of whale music, a final spritz and moisturise and I was done.

As with any small spa, Zen is all about functional treatments rather than an indulgent whole-day experience, but it is clean, comfortable and relaxing. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and seemed genuinely concerned with offering a great experience. My skin was left in far better shape and even my husband noticed that I looked healthier than usual!

I’d happily return to Zen and their regular Valupedia deals make them a great budget choice. Their current promotion offers a range of facials and slimming treatments from just $98. To the spa, ladies!

Zen & Wellness, 11/F, 151-155 Queen’s Road, Central. 2180 2727

Kate is a Hong Kong based lifestyle writer and you can contact her at [email protected]