Tag Archives: massage

MYZ Beauty, Notting Hill

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I am always delighted to discover new beauty hang-outs in my area. MYZ is a small nails boutique and beauty spa, located down a side street in Notting Hill. Owner Maryam is a self-confessed beauty addict and brings all her knowledge of the best products and treatments to this new boutique. Always in store (with her beloved dog Cookie) Maryam welcomes and chats to all the guests who come through the door, which creates a lovely homely atmosphere.

MYZ pride themselves on their bespoke approach to every customer, offering expert advice and tailoring the treatments to perfectly suit your needs. Here you can pamper yourself from head to toe with manicure and pedicure, waxing, facial and massage. The facials have already become a bestseller, using revolutionary natural and botanical based products. I tried a MYZ Ultimate Pedicure. An experienced therapist will file your nails, nourish the cuticles removing all hard skin, cleanse and exfoliate, continue with a relaxing massage and finally paint your nails with your choice of OPI or Essie nail polish.

It was heaven to sink back into the luxurious stylish reclining chair and let my weary feet be pampered. The therapist was efficient and kind, working away at my feet tirelessly for an hour until they looked and felt wonderful. I chose five pastel shades from the huge collection of varnishes, a cheerful look for summer. The ultimate pedicure costs £55, other treatments are very reasonably priced too, so a treatment at MYZ can be a regular outing rather than an occasional treat!

This new hidden gem has not gone unnoticed with the famous locals like Sienna Miller, and recently Lindsay Lohan even paid the spa a visit. Book yourself in now for some indulgent holiday pampering before MYZ becomes too popular with the Notting Hill celeb crowd.

More information and book a treatment here: www.myznailsboutique.com

The Villa Spa, Villa Kennedy Hotel, Frankfurt

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After a late night out in the city there is nothing more restorative than a morning at a peaceful spa. Villa Kennedy is located in the quiet, leafy outskirts of Frankfurt, a Rocco Forte Collection hotel of some grandeur.

As a triathlete Sir Rocco Forte insists on luxurious spas in all of his hotels, The Villa Spa is renowned in Frankfurt as the best place to refresh the body and mind. With eight treatment rooms, a Turkish steam room and sauna, a relaxing room and garden, a fitness centre and a granite-lined pool, there is every facility you could need to totally replenish and revitalise. We considered lingering in the retreat all day and cancelling our plans to explore the city!

The pale pristine spa is a joy to experience and I couldn’t understand why there weren’t more guests taking advantage of this blissful bonus to the hotel. After changing into the enveloping bathrobes, we were escorted to the private treatment rooms. There are over 120 treatments to choose from, we were booked in for the ‘Whole in One’ 60 minute massage. My chirpy therapist explained each stage of the massage before we began. Face down on the heated bed I felt able to let go of every tension in my body. Using her arms and elbows she eased away knots in my back, focussing on my tight shoulders. It was incredible.

As I woke from my light massage-induced sleep, I realised how clear-headed and light-bodied I felt. The therapists returned with a strongly scented red rose and a cup of hot ginger tea, to sooth and awaken the senses. In the relaxing room a fresh berry smoothie was waiting, looking exotic and tasting delicious. Resisting the urge to lie on the sun lounger in the garden and sleep, I went through to the sauna and steam room and let the heat cleanse my pores. The pool is the centrepiece of the spa, and certainly cannot be ignored. I jumped into the rippling pale blue water and swam back and forth, the most peaceful kind of exercise.

We left this palatial hotel feeling like we’d been rested and revived, it was like waking from a deep sleep. The Villa Spa is an absolute must for guests wishing to take a break from their city itinerary.

More information and book a spa treatment here.

Many thanks to the Frankfurt Tourist board for their help with this trip, more information here.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

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The Mandarin Oriental is without doubt the most recognised and renowned hotel in Bangkok.  An impressive 138 years old, this institution offers an oasis of Oriental cool and calm and all the luxuries you could ever desire.

Mandarin Oriental is the only property in Bangkok with facilities both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It was the first luxury hotel in south-east Asia. Originally titled just ‘Oriental,’ the hotel joined with the Mandarin company in 1974 and together they built the new River Wing. It was only in 2008 that the name changed to the Mandarin Oriental. It is still known to many locals and loyal visitors as just ‘The Oriental’.

The road is quite ordinary and typically Thai. It was a revelation to discover the hotel amongst street stalls and jewellery shops; most of the city’s five star establishments are found on main roads huddled together, but here in downtown Bangkok the vibrant flavour and culture of Thailand is more evident than ever. It is testament to the quality of the hotel that it has survived and thrived for so long in such a contrasting area.

Driving up the leafy driveway, I could feel my anticipation and excitement rise. My grandfather had already made me promise… “If there is one place you visit in Bangkok it must be The Oriental”. I’d heard stories of evenings spent in the glittering lobby and couldn’t wait to step inside and see it for myself.

Traditional and fragrant jasmine flower wreaths were placed, like Christmas tree baubles on our thumbs as we were welcomed into the breezy air conditioned foyer with a smile. It definitely has the wow factor, a magnificent deep purple beaded chandelier hangs heavy from the ceiling, lanterns hint at the history of the country, and full length windows offer natural light and a peek of the lush green gardens outside.

Upstairs our deluxe room continued to exceed all expectations. A heavenly soft bed to ease you to sleep, a giant bath to wash away the stress of the day and a wonderfully comforting chocolate brown silk robe to wear when you are feeling weary. From our twelfth floor room, the view over the river and city is spectacular, and I noticed a surge on my social media as I proudly posted the photograph I’d taken. The usual luxuries are all in place, exceptional amenities and features… but I was thrilled to discover the thoughtful little extras that the Mandarin Oriental provides for guests. I particularly noticed the specially made gold leaf embossed writing paper neatly arranged on the desk, personalised for each guest, the generous bottle of Thai bath oil and the lovely fan, left as a gift. On the desk we also found the hotel newsletter, appropriately named ‘The Oriental Times’ – designed to replicate a broadsheet, this offers interesting news and information about the hotel.

Food options are plentiful at The Mandarin Oriental; Le Normandie is famous for its French fine dining; The China House offers authentic Cantonese dishes in a contemporary style and Lord Jim’s enjoys a worldwide reputation for its seafood. For more relaxed dining, The Verandah is open all day, whilst Bamboo bar showcases live jazz and boasts an unbeatable cocktail list, for simple sundowner drinks and Italian tapas there is Ciao Bar. We skipped these tempting eateries in search of the finest Thai food on the river’s edge at Sala Rim Naam, sitting on the idyllic terrace where we could enjoy the warm, exotic breeze. Keen to try a selection of specialities we let the staff choose our meal… deep fried herbed crab meat and minced chicken salad was a highlight. For mains the sweet and spicy red curry with lychees and roasted duck was fragrant, flavoursome and creamy while Australian lamb chops with tamarind sauce featured the highest quality meat cooked to perfection. There are many exemplary Thai restaurants in Bangkok, but few which provide such a spectacular view from the table.

When it comes to relaxation and revitalisation, the Oriental Spa provides the ideal refuge. The spa is located across the Chao Phraya river, though easy to reach by the complimentary river shuttle provided by the hotel crossing every five minutes.  We experienced the Oriental Signature Treatment, an essential oil massage with Thai and European techniques. This 90 minute massage was our first spa experience in Thailand, and is still memorable even after numerous treatments in Asia. The staff went to extra trouble to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed every step of the treatment. Tailoring the treatment to suit me entirely, my therapist attended to stiff areas of my back, stimulating and soothing my body from head to toe. A hot ginger tea was refreshing, nourishing and hydrating at the end of the treatment. Beauty by Mandarin Oriental has recently opened, teaming up with QMS Medicosmetics, adding another experience to your must-try itinerary!

Next morning as we enjoyed our breakfast on the terrace, I marvelled at my surroundings. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has history, elegance and style that is unrivalled in this city.

More information and book here: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/