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Could this be Melbourne’s best-kept wellness secret? Hidden away in the back streets of leafy Ashburton, Kai Urban Retreat offers a luxurious escape from the everyday busyness of life via a spa menu that guarantees relaxation and rejuvenation. If that sounds like your idea of heaven, read on.
Founded by Clare Kwok, Mika Kinoshita and Martin McGraw, the mission of Kai Urban Retreat is a simple but wholesome one: to create a welcoming, thoughtfully designed and community-focused wellness sanctuary where the nourishment of both mind and body is key. The retreat opened in late 2024, with Kwok drawing on her background as an architect to create a space that exudes peace and tranquility – the lighting is warm and soft, the colour palette features neutral tones with pops of pale peach and terracotta, and the robes are soft and fluffy.
The expert team – led by head therapist Mika – brings a wealth of holistic knowledge to their roles, specialising in everything from Japanese shiatsu and remedial massage to tailored skincare and beauty treatments.
I was lucky enough to enjoy a Fire and Frost facial along with a full-body massage – and yes, it was every bit as blissful as I hoped it would be. Using Vanessa Megan skincare products, heat generated from vitamin C is used to stimulate collagen production, while a cooling cryo ice cube serum locks in the nutrients and triggers skin cell regeneration. Essentially, it’s all about brightening and hydrating your complexion so you feel glowy and refreshed.
Combined with gua sha techniques (which can also improve circulation and reduces inflammation) and a relaxing massage that almost sent me into the most dreamy slumber, I was floating on air by the time it was all over – and my skin had a beautiful, dewy radiance to it. If you need to take a few moments to acclimatise back to reality afterwards, there’s a lounge area where you can rehydrate and enjoy a cheeky sweet treat. Your therapist will also be more than happy to answer any questions, provide tips for aftercare and suggest future treatments.
Keen to hear about more options? The spa menu also features express remedies (which are all 30 minutes in duration), pregnancy massages, mum and bub sessions, and various packages that combine multiple treatments in one.
But that’s not all there is to Kai Urban Retreat. Located right next door is Coffee By Kai – a gorgeous sibling café where you can fuel up pre- or post-treatment or simply pop in for a drink and snack. This sunny slice of hospitality is a continued extension of the Kai ethos that really celebrates the beauty of neighbourhood connection and building places that bring people together.
The coffee is supplied by Dukes, but you can also grab matcha, chai, tea and plenty more. On the food front, think pastries and yummy baked goods (like croissants, cookies and banana bread), plus toasties. I can personally vouch for the deliciousness of the Mushroomaholic toastie, which is loaded with braised button mushrooms, four-cheese sauce, potato and herbs. Yum!
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself to a self-care sesh – this is it. And best of all, you’ll be supporting a local business that’s all about giving back to the community. Now that sounds like a win-win to us. Find out more about Kai Urban Retreat here.
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