Traditional Luxury on a Royal Scale

By Suraya Razak

MY jaw dropped once I saw the open-air settings of Ayerspa with individual huts dotted around the lush grounds of the Mutiara Burau Bay Resort in Langkawi. The huts were charming, yes, but would they shield a guest from inquisitive eyes?

After all, in a spa treatment, one is usually draped in a thin sheet to preserve one’s modesty. As I passed the swimming pool, I spotted Noriza Joahari, managing director of AyerSpa, smiling in my direction.

We ambled over to the lounge area of the spa, where a massage therapist soaked my feet in a tub full of frangipani, lemon essence and pompom flowers. The scent of lemon that wafted in the air calmed my frazzled nerves. I settled in, my eyes took in the ambiance of the spa. Natural hues, wooden furnishings and fresh flowers gave it a resort feel, inviting one to kick back, relax and leave an urge to hurry at the door. A view of white sandy beach soothed my tired eyes. I realised then the concept was perfect.

As I headed towards one of the huts to begin my session, I realised then that my worry of over-exposure in the open-air hut was unfounded. I had hardly even noticed that one of them was occupied until another guest had walked out. The billowing columns of fabric that functioned as curtains provided an extra dose of privacy for the shy.

The Aromatherapy Massage (RM180 for one-and-a-half hours) is highly recommended here. You can opt for frangipani, lavender or an herbal essence scent to relax you during your therapy. Coconut oil is used for the head massage, while jojoba oil was slathered on my body. The therapist used long, kneading strokes during the massage, after which the knotted muscles in my body became fully relaxed.

Ayerspa’s signature treatments are deeply rooted in Malay traditions. For instance, its herbal wrap (also known as Traditional Boreh) uses turmeric as its main ingredient. After my back was slathered in oil, the herbal ingredients were spread across my back before I was covered with four pieces of banana leaves. The banana leaf acts as a detoxifier, as it draws out impurities from the skin. It’s also an apt choice as it provides a cooling effect, so those who feel a little heaty might find this beneficial.

After the 20-minute wrap, it was time for (the mandi bunga, Malay Flower Bath), which washed out all the mixture and oil that used in scrub and massage earlier. The ingredients include frangipani and pompom flowers, jasmine essence, milk and roses. Milk is used here for its skinwhitening properties, while the rose acts as a moisturiser.

The after-effects of the treatment were blissful. I was in such a dreamy, relaxed state of mind. As I sauntered off, the gentle roar of the ocean provided a soothing end to the experience.

The Ayerspa

Ayerspa

Mutiara Burau Bay Langkawi

Tel : 04-9591061

www.alu-alu.com.my

Ambience

Its open-air settings, soothing minimalist decor and natural surroundings is fast becoming a premier destination for a nyone who demands the very best.

Ringgit-worthiness

The spa treatments are defi nitely reasonably priced. A spa package is priced from RM220 to RM380, while one-hour facials are tagged at RM100. Body treatments are priced RM60 to RM90.

Range of treatments

Facials, body scrubs, body masks, body wraps, pedicure, manicure as well as traditional hair treatment. There are also three spa packages to choose from. Wide range of massages – Aromatherapy, Royal Malay, Royal Thai and Swedish massage.

Extras

No fake sounds of nature in the background, no fake view of nature. You’ll be treated like a Malay Princess. A Mahsuri wanna- be, perhaps?!

Ayerspa plans to further complement their theme, “Relaxation Spa Village”, by planting and growing the ingredients of the treatment around the spa area (with lemongrass, roses, frangipani, etc. Patrons will get to enjoy this exclusive royal treatment from freshly plucked plants in the nearest future. The Post Natal treatment, by the way, will soon be introduced, incorporating two methods: Malay and Chinese.

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