Everyone wants to face the New Year fresh of mind and body, but all the shopping and partying around Christmas and the year’s end may have you feeling fatigued. For these tired souls, spa treatments offer a quick, easy solution. Indeed, there are body and facial treatments for virtually all types of conditions ― or complaints.

Spa facilities in Seoul provide various programs to help one regain the daily rhythm or relieve muscles stiff from hunching in the cold. A spa treatment also can simply be a nice reward for oneself.

The Korea Herald staff tried some of the best and interesting spa programs offered by well-known spa facilities in Seoul. 

Top-to-toe pampering

The Marriott Executive Apartments, Yeouido Park Center-Seoul’s SOO Spa has a distinctive concept of “water” (its name, SOO, means water). A small man-made stream flows alongside the spa and crosses some of the treatment rooms. The sound of the flowing water, the gentle music and the aroma from scented candles and diffusers soothe the soul.

The signature “Top to Toe” program includes a head spa, body treatment and foot massage in a two-hour session. The masseuse uses all her energy in softening the stiff muscles and relaxing the body.

Using authentic spa products such as Algotherm, Yonka, GM Collin, and Leono Greyl and others, the wet message hydrates the skin with aroma oils and creams to give the skin some elasticity.

The masseuse is polite but thorough ― she checks medical history or preference and constantly asks whether the pressure comfortable. At the same time, her discretion allows the guest to enjoy the “healing time” without being disturbed by unwanted questions or other noise.

The SOO spa is located in B2 of the hotel. Treatments start at 150,000 won.

For more information call (02)2090-8041.

Singing bowls, hot stone therapy

For the Grand Hilton Seoul’s La Clinique de Paris Aging Management & Spa’s singing bowl therapy treatment, eight silver and gold bowls are placed around one’s head and feet. The therapist then gently clangs the bowls one at a time, back and forth around the feet and head, while the ringing sounds and vibrations seep into the mind and body. This is done while lying on one’s back and once again while lying on the stomach.

The therapy technique hailing from Tibet is meant to ease tension and relieve stress. It is said that listening to the sounds of the bowls even for just five minutes can alter the brainwaves and help stabilize one’s mindset.

Historically, Tibetan Buddhists used singing bowls to begin and end periods of silent meditation. Similarly, this treatment is done at the beginning of the session to promote a sense of inner peace and deep relaxation.

During the hot stone massage session, lightly scented oil is spread on the legs before two large hot stones are used to slowly massage each limb. The hot stone massage is followed by a hand massage to release the tension in the leg muscles and nerves. This process is done both lying facing up and down throughout the back, stomach, shoulders and arms.

At the end of the spa session, guests receive a diagnostic form explaining the areas of concern and possible healing solutions, such as recommended stretching.

The La Clinique de Paris Aging Management & Spa’s 90-minute singing bowl and hot stone massage package is priced at 220,000 won.

For reservations, call (02) 3216-1300.

Korean beauty secrets

As the AmorePacific cosmetic company leads the Korean beauty boom in the global industry, its spa center presents a mixture of its skin care line and signature firm massage.

Using organic ingredients such as green tea, bamboo sap and red ginseng, the spa delivers a fresh and clean feeling in its treatments.

Every treatment is preceded by choosing an aroma that will define the mood of the treatment ― a fresh, clean green tea leaf scent or a warm, sweet green tea flower scent. After choosing the scent, the masseuse Yoon So-ri guides one to a private spa room for the signature treatment, the 2-hour Halla Green Tea Healing, which was recommended to restore hydration in dry skin and rejuvenate tired muscles.

She starts with cleansing one’s feet in the hot water mixed with green tea and moves on to a smooth massage that wakes up tired and stiff muscles in the back, shoulders and arms. With the rare green tea seed oil in hand, she then firmly strokes and kneads the muscles from the back up to one’s neck, which makes muscles flinch in pain at first.

Those not used to the strong pressure are recommended to ask for a gentle massage.

“The technique is a mixture of the Swedish massage and Korean massage,” she said. “Koreans like their massage firm and strong enough to relieve stiffness in their muscles.”

The body ritual is completed with a back scrub and then she moves on to the facial, starting with cleansing, followed by a deep-skin exfoliation using enzyme and a moisture mask. While the mask restores hydration, a therapist begins a gentle massage that works from thighs to feet.

She starts the face massage that involves gentler version of the body massage with green tea seed oil again. The texture of the oil feels warm and soft on the face. She completes the massage running fingers in a repeated circular stroke as if to awaken face muscles.

As the massage nears the end, a rubber mask is put on the face to lock in moisture and complete rejuvenation.

In between the body and facial massages, a warm stone is placed on the abdomen to warm up the center of the body. As she removes the rubber mask, she gently massages the belly.

The skin looks smooth and glows with the oil massage and the body feels wonderfully pampered.

The AmorePacific Spa is located on 10th floor of Lotte Avenuel, Sogong-dong, Seoul. The spa programs range from 100,000 won to 500,000 won.

For more information, call (02) 2118-6221.

Red-ginseng treatment

Located in Samseong-dong, SPA G is a place for those seeking a one-of-a-kind spa experience as well as the therapeutic properties of Korean ginseng.

Many would think they’d be offered ginseng-oil massage and ginseng facials, but SPA G’s signature treatment, “RG (Red Ginseng) Time,” is much more than that.

In a dimly-lit room, a steam bath in a specially designed steam bath machine starts after layers of red ginseng concentrate have been applied over the entire body. The liquid is rather watery and feels light, and the ginseng scent is pleasantly mild.

When the steam bath session is over, the machine automatically releases fresh water to wash the ginseng-concentrate off one’s body. The treatment is said to detox the body, improve circulation and aid sleep.

A ginseng oil massage follows next. SPA G’s massage program combines Swedish and Deep Tissue massage techniques, altered to suit Asian clients’ needs and tastes.

At the end of the treatment, the skin feels softer and well moisturized. The spa also offers ginseng cookies and candies, as well as ginseng cosmetics to try.

Treatment prices range from 90,000 won to 500,000 won. For more information, call (02) 557-8030 or visit www.spag.co.kr.

Essential oil for every condition

Lying on the stomach, with forehead on a donut-shaped latex pillow, one feels slightly nervous. The dim light and the soothing music eventually calms the nerves and the therapist whispers, “Inhale deeply,” circling the palm of her hands under your face facing the floor.

For the 120-minute Conrad Signature Rituals treatment at the Conrad Spa Seoul at the newly opened Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, the therapist has chosen essential oil of frankincense for its stress-relieving properties, and the vapor from the oil clears the nasal passage and head.

As the therapist glides her hands over the shin and works all the way up to the neck, easing knotted muscles with gentle pressure, kneading and stroking movements, one wonders if she has any fingerprints, so smooth are her hands. Any spa junky would tell you that your experience at a spa depends on the therapist’s hands. Or more precisely, her fingertips.

The neck and shoulders, heavy and stiff from hours spent in front of the monitor with the shoulders hunched forward, are given special attention. And while it is slightly painful when the therapist presses her thumbs along the stiff muscles, the “pain” is just right ― not so painful that you let out an “ouch” but just enough pain so you know you will be feeling better soon: No pain, no gain, after all.

A light massage of the head involving applying pressure with fingertips on various parts of the scalp brings the session to an end. It is surprisingly invigorating and refreshing, just the right note on which to face the world again.

All massages at Conrad Spa Seoul begin with a 15-minute footbath, Prices range from 150,000 won for a 60-minute foot reflexology program to 290,000 won for a 120-minute Conrad Signature Rituals. Facial treatments are also available. Morning Package at Nine is a good deal ― 220,000 won for a 120-minute full body treatment.

For reservations, call (02) 6137-7000.

By Culture Desk staff