If you need just one reason to visit SO/Auckland, let it be the SO/Spa, says editor Trudi Brewer. She shares a sublime wellness destination that treats both your body and soul.
I have had countless facials and have been lucky enough to experience body massaging around the globe, but I can honestly say the two hours I spent at the SO/Spa at SO/Hotel in Auckland city were unforgettable. First, visiting this urban oasis is a new kind of spa experience, which is all about how much time you have to relax or rejuvenate. You choose how long you want to stay and customise your treatment plan accordingly.
My treatments
The body massage, Relax and Take it Easy, combined with a Hydramemory Facial, for 150 minutes cost $355.
What to expect
My experience started the minute I arrived with valet parking, and the cosy, salt-stone-walled relaxation room. Treatments at SO/Spa centre around healing oils, and you can choose a fragrance that speaks to your mood. Homegrown hand-blended massage oils from Black & White Beauty are used for the body, and luxe-y Italian brand Comfort Zone for the face. Choosing a fragrant oil is an essential part of this spa experience, and after a freezing week of weather in Auckland, I went for a creamy sandalwood blend with a hint of tangy citrus. After a brief consultation, I slipped under crisp white sheets, and my body massage began. My therapist, the spa supervisor, Rubina Kaur, has hands that could soothe a thousand souls. Firm and warm, she was quickly in tune with my body's rhythm to treat my stress.
For example, I carry tension and tightness between my shoulders and neck, and Kaur knew the exact spots to unfurl those knotted muscles with deep pressure. She suggested the Hydramemory facial next. Designed for winter skin, ideal for anyone who needs extra moisture like me. The facial treats the face, neck, and decollete with a range of products, each infused with hyaluronic acid (HA) in macro-sized molecules, so it sinks in fast and deep. Further boosted moringa oil and vitamin E, this is the ideal combination for my dull, dehydrated complexion.
A warming ritual using the Comfort Zone Tranquility Blend Oil starts the facial; this oil is scented with cedarwood and sweet orange, Drizzled on my neck and arms this precious oil and massaged in with Kaur's wonderful hands. A double cleansing, followed by a gentle yet super effective skin exfoliation, promises to deliver a noticeable glow. The next step is a ten-minute touch massage, and then a creamy mask is applied to my face and neck using a unique brush massage technique. In criss-crossed-like movements, every inch of my face, including my eyebrows, is brushed gently. The excess mask is pressed into my skin, and only the residue is removed with a warm towel. Next, a splash of tonic, then the final Hydramemory Serum and Cream Gel are applied. Back in the relaxation room with a cup of gunpowder green and lemon verbena Forage & Bloom tea, I was ready to drift back to the office.
The verdict
Any facial that gives my skin a glass-like glow is an absolute winner in my book. Long story short, If you have the time to invest and feel the need to escape, no passport required, I suggest you try SO/ Spa. I left SO/Hotel in a dream, my skin scented with a beauifully scented oils; my visit was both indulgent and uplifting - I will be back.
The cost
Off Beat pricing, Monday to Friday, costs from $95 for 30 minutes to $415 for 180 minutes. On weekends On The Pulse pricing costs $105 for 30 minutes and $425 for 180 minutes - you set the time and the budget. SO/Spa is open every day from 10 am until 8 pm. When you visit SO/Spa, you can use the gym facilities too, a 20-meter heated lap pool, sauna, and jacuzzi.
Editor Trudi Brewer was gifted her body and facial treatments at SO/Spa.
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