 
Destination of the Month: Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Macau All over the globe, the spa industry is booming, and today’s savvy travelers are seeking out the best each destination has to offer. From old-world European mineral hot spring “cures” to modern day spas featuring the latest technology, it’s all just a plane ride—or mouse click—away. Every month, we profile one of our favorite spas, and whether international or domestic, each one is out of this world.
Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Macau
Among the gleaming high-rises and giant casinos of Macau, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental is an oasis of calm—both visually, and for the soul. Look out from a room at the hotel and its hard not to be drawn to the quiet pocket of green nestled between the concrete: lush tropical gardens and a sparkling blue swimming pool—complete with waterfall—accent a one-story colonial-style building. And just as the peaceful vibe is a welcome respite from the neon flash of the nearby gambling spots (including the new Wynn Macau), the spa’s comprehensive menu offers true pampering in a town where $20 foot massages are the typical treatment du jour.
Next, it’s on to one of the lovely treatment rooms, many of which boast their own walled relaxation terraces with outdoor hot tubs. The Ritual then begins with a full body scrub using a mixture of fresh crushed grapes, rice, grapeseed oil, honey and rosemary essential oil; though gentle, the beautifully-scented mixture provides a nice exfoliation thanks to the texture of the rice and the grape skins. Instead of the usual shower to rinse off the scrub, guests are then led out to the private Jacuzzi for a soak in a deep-crimson sangria bath, complete with orange slices floating on top. (There’s a glass of the stuff laid out on the side, too, for a bath time nip.) Once marinated, it’s back to the freshly made-up table for a muscle-melting head-to-toe massage using grapeseed oil. The result: skin that’s super-smooth and moisturized, and an overwhelming feeling of relaxation from the inside out.
Led by a crew of thorough, friendly professionals, the Spa runs like clockwork, and is replete with lovely aesthetic touches—though chances are that most blissed-out clients don’t even notice the little details. Wallet permitting, this is the kind of spa you’d travel 18 hours across the globe just to hang out in, enjoying a bit of luxurious Asian-inspired, Mandarin Oriental-quality pampering while the others gamble their shoulders into stressed-out knots. --Sandra Ramani Previous Destinations
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Offering a full range of services, from Mandarin Oriental standards like four-handed massages to skin treatments using the Italian Comfort Zone line, the spa menu also boasts some uniquely local touches. One service in particular is a standout: the Macanese Sangria Ritual, a 2-hour and 20-minute indulgence steeped in the flavor of this former Portuguese colony. The treatment begins, as with all Spa services, with the client being escorted to the spacious, well-equipped changing room; there, along with the usual robe and slippers, lockers are also stocked with mini-amenity kits of spa products in MO-embossed drawstring bags. (Clients who want to make use of the pool, steam, sauna or indoor Jacuzzi should arrive early, and bring a bathing suit.)
