Spa Review: So in Love with So Spa, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
PUBLISHED February 1st, 2017 11:59 pm | UPDATED March 26th, 2019 05:45 pm
We at City Nomads consider ourselves champion keyboard warriors. When we’re not out for a scoop, we’re sitting in front of our computers doing research, stringing words together, and waving credit cards at online stores at 3am in the morning. While it’s definitely not a boring life, there’s not much opportunity to be lay-abouts, so we jumped at the chance to experience So Spa’s signature couple treatment – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Located on the lush, green grounds of Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort, it’s currently the world’s largest So SPA in existence with 6,000 square metres of space. The experience begins when you step into the 19th century colonial building, with So Spa’s signature L’Artisan Parfumeur Jatamansi scent lingering in the reception area; where delicate Himalayan floral notes ease you into the de-stress process.
Based on French cosmetology with a touch of local ingredients, the spa menu of individual treatments features Starters (short treatments of 30 minutes to an hour), Mains (more elaborate treatments an hour and over), and Desserts (bite sized treatments like herbal baths and foot massages). Our So In Love package – 2.5 hours for two in a couple treatment room – started with a revitalising Scrub of the Day.
The three choices of body polish include ginger and kaffir lime that’s meant to aid digestion, hibiscus for skin brightening, and coffee for improvement of blood circulation. We went for the hibiscus and coffee, and were glad that the scrub particles were small and refined enough to not feel like sandpaper on the skin.
When your skin is soft and smooth like a baby after a rinse, you have the option of an hour-long signature So Relaxing Massage or Deep Tissue Massage. With muscle tensions in the shoulders and back from long hours of sitting before the screen, it made sense to go for the latter. Instead of oils, So SPA has a selection of massage balms like macadamia, orange blossom, and fig. Not overwhelmingly fragrant, they made for smooth kneading, especially since our therapists managed to find and work out the troublesome knots.
A relaxing bath in a gorgeous metal, free-standing clawfoot bathtub follow, complete with an aroma-theraputic range of bath oils. For something refreshing, go with the citrus or classic lavender if that hits relaxation mode for you. If you’re feeling peckish after the treatment, there’s warming ginger tea, as well as superfoods like dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds in the lounge to satisfy that immediate gnawing.
Aside from the skillfulness of the therapists and the comfortable, well-appointed treatment rooms, the unique selling point of So Spa Sentosa is the number of state-of-the-art outdoor facilities at the Spa Garden. Besides a lap pool exclusive to the spa, the Float Pool features a waterfall that’s loosen up your muscles with rhythmic pressure.
The highlight, however, has to be a rub-down at the Mud Pool’s with Rhassoul Clay mud, a mineral only found beneath the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. Packed with magnesium, calcium, and potassium, it supposedly eliminates impurities and toxins from your skin. The pools are complimentary for guests with at least a one-hour treatment booked for the same day. Alas, it was raining so we had to forgo the use of all outdoor facilities on this visit, though ladies will be glad to know that there is a special ladies-only outdoor area for their enjoyment too.
That said, we did get to enjoy the Jacuzzi and the Galaxy Steam Room, both of which are located in the changing rooms. The latter was surprisingly pretty, with plush leather seats and studded lighting on the walls representing constellations that lull into a further state of relaxation.
Connected to the Spa Garden, The Garden Restaurant overlooks the swimming pool and dishes out So Spa’s brand of spa cuisine. While we didn’t have time for a full meal, the trio of canapés – gazpacho, avocado mousse in puff pastry, and tuna tataki – that arrived with our flutes of Taittinger Brut were light, low in fat, yet refreshingly flavourful.
Priced at $600++ per couple, the money that you spend on the So In Love treatment package might cost around the same as a staycation and dinner for two. However, if you lovebirds have been working entirely too hard and would like to prioritise health and wellness this Valentine’s Day, it makes for a perfect day’s retreat that’ll leave you rejuvenated for the romantic evening ahead!
So SPA is located at 30 Allanbrooke Road, Singapore 099983, p. 6708 8358. Open 10am-9pm daily. The So in Love package is available all year round. See here for the full spa menu.
