Spas in Kuala Lumpur and spa guide
Kuala Lumpur spas are world renown
There is nothing better after a hard day pounding the streets than to sink into a warm jacuzzi or let qualified professionals sooth your tensions and aches away with a decent massage. Luckily, Malaysia is teeming with spas providing fantastic treatments at a fraction of the cost back home, and the country’s capital is no exception. So we’ve put together our guide to the best spas in Kuala Lumpur.
There are many different treatments available at the spas in KL offering a great range of massages, aromatherapy, facials, water treatments, body wraps and scrubs. Most Asians countries have their own particular take on the art of massage and Malaysia is no different. Whether it is soothing oils, foot-pummelling or the bone-cracking Thai variety that takes your fancy, everything is on offer.
Also popular at Kuala Lumpur spas are water treatments which use thalassotherapy and hydrotherapy to rejuvenate tired muscles. Cold and hot baths, underwater massages and compresses are all available plus interesting seawater treatments and floatation tanks. Other options include coconut scrubs for sensitive or sunburnt skin, pore-cleansing ’salt glow’, Bali kopi scrub and honey and sesame scrubs.
Of course, most of the large hotels have spas in Kuala Lumpur and you may decide just to put your feet up and enjoy some of the treatments which are offered in house. However, if the urge strikes you to try something a little more upmarket or traditional, then you can’t go wrong with our special recommendations.
Recommended Kuala Lumpur spas
Try something new and go to a fish spa, your feet will love you for it.
Circle Art Of Massage
A good massage from Circle Art Of Massage is a great way to relax after visiting the shopping malls of downtown. One of the best fuss-free spas in Kuala Lumpur, it is found in the Curve Shopping Centre in Mutiara Damansara and has attracted many loyal customers. Circle’s philosophy is that massage is a work of art. The friendly service at Circle will put you at ease as the attentive staff run through the treatment options. (260 Curve Mall, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47810, Petaling Jaya. tel: +60 (0)3 7710 0219)
Angsana
Award-winning Angsana is rightly considered one of the best spas in Kuala Lumpur. It received the platinum crown in the Middle East & North Africa Travel Awards 2009 ‘Best Spa’ category and offers the ideal respite from a busy session of sightseeing, shopping or business meetings. A full range of beauty wraps, holistic massages, and tropical scrubs using fresh botanicals are on offer here. (Level five, Crowne Plaza, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250. tel: +60 (0)3 2141 4321. spa-kualalumpur@angsana.com)
Sembunyi Spa
Sembunyi Spa can be found in Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa, Cyberjaya. The entire experience here is characterised a secluded retreat dedicated to mother nature. Sembunyi aptly means ‘to hide’ in Bahasa Melayu, and this is a place to let your mind empty and body and soul relax. There is 10,000 square feet of traditional massages, Asian style body treatments and facials to choose from. Plus a fully equipped gym, lap pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. (Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa, Persiaran Multimedia, 63000, Cyberjaya. tel: +60 (0)3) 8312-7000)
Energy Day Spa
Energy Day Spa provides a true escape from the hectic nature of modern life. Located in Mont Kiara, it prides itself as a haven safe from the commotion plaguing the city. This is amongst the most carefully designed spas in Kuala Lumpur with a spacious balcony going around the building lined with potted plants and deck chairs. The atmosphere is serene apart from the occasional sound of children playing in the next door condo pool. (Lot 4, Level four, Great Eastern Mall, 303 Jalan Ampang, 50450. tel: +60 (0)3 4256 8833)
Travel tip
Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years and is still a very popular treatment in Kuala Lumpur today. It usually involves using essential plant oils of plants (from bark, seeds, blossoms, stem, leaves, resins) combined with ‘carrier oils’ in a massage. These oils are inhaled or ingested with a calming or healing influence over the body.
Ozmosis
Ozmosis Health And Day Spa has seven years experience of pampering the most exclusive clientelle in the heart of trendy Bangsar. Ozmosis is one of the best regarded Kuala Lumpur spas, specialising in a huge variety of beauty therapies and treatments. Their expert staff aim to ensure that every visit is truly rejuvenating, relaxing and revitalising. Choose from Ozmosis’s extensive range of waxing, facials, body massages, wraps or scrubs. (Second floor, Jalan Telawi 2, 59100, Bagsar Baru, tel: +60 (0)3 2287 0848)
Urban Retreat
Urban Retreat in The Curve shopping centre is tucked away and easy to miss. It’s not a fully fledged spa and so the range of treatments is quite limited, although there are still the basic body scrubs, massages plus some interesting express treatments. The Urban Escape signature treatment utlilises a unique blend of traditional and Thai massages. Worth a try is the detox body scrub which uses Balinese coffee to remove impurities from the body. (157 Curve Mall, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47810, Petaling Jaya. tel: +60 (0)3 7710 3239)
Of course these specialist venues are not the only option. There are many more humble massage parlours on the many high streets of KL that offer extensive treatments at very reasonable prices. You can be sure that if they are popular with local people that they are of a decent quality and worth investigating.
Updated and correct: January 2011
