Best spas in Kuala Lumpur for cheap massages under RM100

The clue is in the name. If your qi (which translates to ‘life force’) needs a little pick-me-up, head down to Qi Odyssey, which claims to be the first reflexology slash teahouse in Malaysia. A concept by Thai Odyssey, this spanking new spa is modelled to emulate elements of a traditional Chinese teahouse modernised for 2020: think minimal and refined, with green accents, woodwork, and even a circular tulou room inspired by the earthen fortresses of Fujian, China where you can socialise and unwind.

Qi offers a selection of relaxing services from half-body massages (RM65 for 30 minutes; RM75 for 45 minutes) to hotfoot soaks and reflexology (RM92 for 45 minutes). For an extra RM5, upgrade your hot foot soak with bath bombs infused with natural essential oils like mandarin orange or honey and lemon. Keeping to its teahouse theme, Qi also serves light snacks and a wide variety of Chinese tea, so sit back and relax with a side of prawn rolls or pineapple tarts and all the tea you can drink including kombucha.

While you can get a 30-minute Swedish massage at RM80, we recommend the simple but effective booster facial instead at this luxurious men’s only barbershop and grooming salon. The 30-minute facial (RM90) is perfect as an instant refresh to help you look your best for any important event. Your therapist will pamper you with a quick round of cleansing, toning, soothing and hydrating your skin, and you’ll end up looking fresher with clearer, more radiant skin. You’ll be glad to know that there’s no painful extraction of blackheads for this facial.

Uroot – a play on the Malay word for massage, urut – promises a culturally rich experience, uniting local massage techniques using a blend of strokes with scrubs and essential oils. The locations may be T20 (Arcoris Mont Kiara and the greater KLCC area), but the price tags are B40: a head, neck and shoulder massage costs only RM39 for 20 mins, an hour-long foot massage will set you back RM79. When payday comes, we say splurge a little on the full-body signature Roots of Fulfillment treatment (RM139 for 80 mins).

It's all about you at this ‘gram-goals boutique standout, situated at RED by Sirocco. While Jalan Kamunting is worthy of a trip on its own for Joloko’s cocktails and natural wines or Yut Kee’s signature chicken chop, the industrial-chic cool of The Rub Bar doesn’t miss a beat with its therapeutic treatments. We say go for either of these healing pathways: a quick lunch hour rub-down of your problem areas (RM35 for 20 mins); a sole-soothing foot reflexology session (RM100 for 90 minutes); or the three-in-one massage, which is a triple combo of the foot, neck, and head and shoulder (RM80 for 60 minutes). Appointments here are dotted with fun extras, like the Lotion Lab corner where you can DIY your own body and hand lotion infused with your choice of essential oils.

In Bangsar, retail and restaurant casualties are rife – we’ve said goodbye to the OG La Bodega, but we’re still coming to terms with the departure of our forever fave Snackfood – and yet, through the years, Ozmosis not only survives but thrives. As featured in Time Out KL's 101 things to do in KL, Ozmosis is a one-stop, fix-all destination, whose offerings are almost overwhelming with nearly 70 treatments. Take your pick: acupuncture (RM80, 30 mins), scalp, neck and shoulder stress reliever (RM90, 30 mins), ocean floral baths (RM100, 30 mins), manicures (RM60), LED light therapy (RM100, 20 mins), and so much more. Bonus: there are two other outlets at Ascott KLCC and Fraser Residence (temporarily closed at the time of writing).

Malaysia’s first onsen spa is the real deal. It recreates the Japanese bath experience with imported onsen spa tubs and salts extracted directly from Japan’s renowned springs – but if the onsen escape (RM129 for 45 minutes) is a little over your budget, #treatyourself to a back massage (RM89 for 30 minutes) to relieve the aches in your shoulders and upper back. Body massages, scrubs, and wraps are also available. Fun fact: POW Ideas, the collective founded by Kyle E and architect-artist Jun Ong designed the interiors, which “pay homage to the wabi-sabi nature of Japanese onsen bathhouses” while retaining the rusticity of tropical Malaysia with the use of hardwood and rattan.

Facials are a forte at Herbaline, and you’ll be happy to know that their ‘Relaxing Facial’ (RM73.10; one hour) is gentle enough that you can still adjourn to dinner or a date without any sign of redness afterwards. The quick but effective treatment consists of a face massage, a Nano Herbal Mask Facial Treatment, an anti-sensitive ampoule and an Oriental & Western shoulder massage, sans the dreaded blackheads extraction.

Most of the facials here will leave you plumped and refreshed, but if a full body massage is what you’re after, Herbaline’s 75-minute rubdown (RM98) will create a deep sense of relaxation by freeing the knots and strains from your muscles.

With over 35 branches in major shopping malls throughout KL and PJ, Thai Odyssey is the most convenient option for a fuss-free massage. The outlets’ interiors are calm, dimly lit and decked out in your usual Thai flourishes, but more importantly, service is dependably good and consistent.

For the desk-bound execs working on computers all day, get the 30-minute half body massage (RM63), which uses deep tissue techniques to relieve tension in your head, neck and shoulders. It’s very relaxing and could help you sleep better as well. Otherwise, go for the traditional foot massage; you have a choice of 30 minutes (RM66), 45 minutes (RM76), or an hour (RM83). Do note that Thai Odyssey outlets get quite full over the weekends, so reservations are highly recommended.

When you want to escape the crowds in the malls (specifically Nu Sentral, Avenue K, MyTOWN KL, and Melawati Mall), Erawan provides a brief respite. Within a calm interior decked out in standard Thai decor, you can get either a 30-minute head, neck and shoulder massage for RM58+, a one-hour foot massage for RM68+, or an hour-long Thai body massage for RM98+. The masseuses are friendly, well-trained and strong, though you can request for a softer pressure – you really should just bite down on the slight pain if you want your tensed muscles all soothed out. Bonus points to them for using a citronella-scented heating balm when working on your stiff neck.