An indulgent new Elemis treatment is the perfect excuse to revisit one of my favourite North Shore spas, and take some time out during a busy week.
When it comes to top notch spas, Sydney undoubtedly lives up to its reputation as one of the world's great holiday destinations, with plenty for locals and travellers to choose from. One of my favourite spa retreats is the North Shore haven established by Gillian Adams nearly 20 years ago; located in chic Turramurra, it's a spa and salon of charm, calibre, and where you can choose from a fine menu of treatments including some by the cult UK favourite, Elemis.
The spa itself has many facilities, including a beautiful hydrotherapy pool, a treatment room with a Vichy shower, and a delightful garden where you can relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch or a high tea in style. Upstairs there's a full salon too, where the pampering can continue with hairstyling.
The Decor:
This spa is housed in what used to be the old Commonwealth Bank building, with a narrow and elegant art-deco facade bathed in pink and white. The dainty exterior, however, is just a doorway to a more vast space inside, which includes a lavish Romanesque hydrotherapy pool, many treatment rooms, the garden and the salon facilities. The decor is modern, fused with original art-deco style and architecture; softly coloured tiled floors, warm walls and warm wood, fresh flowers, antiques, and uplifting fragrances.
The changing rooms have good sized lockers, and all the amenities you could need post-treatment including shampoo, conditioner and more, and the robes are velvety. At the back of the spa, leading out to the picturesque garden, is a relaxation room bathed in natural light, with comfortable chairs, magazines, fruit infused water, herbal tea and snacks including fresh fruit.
The Treatment:
The Elemis Lime & Ginger Body Scrub and Deep Tissue Massage is a two-hour indulgence new to Elemis and the spa, as well as a real treat for the body. After changing into a robe and relaxing for a few minutes, my therapist Amy came to lead me to my treatment room. The treatment begins with a full body brush, using gentle strokes to lift up dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, and also stimulate the circulation. Next comes the scrub, which has a base of extremely fine sugar blended with hot oil. A combination of long and circular strokes are applied from foot to head, covering all of the body - the stomach and breasts should you wish to include them. Then you shower off, using hot water only, to make ready for the next part of the treatment.
Next you're treated to a full body deep tissue massage using the divinely fragranced frangipani oil. I opted for medium pressure and a focus on my lower back, neck and shoulders. The strokes in this massage are not necessary deep in pressure, but are designed to gently loosen any tight muscles. While therapeutic, it's also incredibly relaxing, even more so with the frangipani aroma, which is sweet and tropical.
Once your body is relaxed, it's time for your face to enjoy some attention. First comes cleansing and toning, and a light exfoliating scrub is applied. Then comes a heavenly facial massage, which tones and relaxes, and finally your skin is moisturised. The treatment draws to a close with a languid scalp massage using the warm frangipani oil. I was advised to leave the oils in as long as possible as they moisturise the scalp and your hair, besides smelling amazing.
The Verdict:
I literally floated out of the spa after this indulgent two hours, finding it quite hard to concentrate on driving home! This a truly relaxing treatment which leaves your skin feeling and looking great from top to bottom, and for relaxing and elegant surroundings, there's no better place to indulge than in this legendary spa.
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