The best massage parlours in Singapore

With the fast-paced lifestyles that we lead in a bustling city, a good night’s rest doesn’t always come easy, but the discovery of Moomin’s dry head massage is sure to change that. The first spa in Singapore to specialise in deep sleep dry head massage, Moomin is a must-visit if you’re looking for a natural solution for insomnia, tension headaches, migraines, stress or simply to improve the quality of your sleep. There are currently two outlets: VivoCity and Funan Mall, and both offer the same treatment provided by highly skilled therapists. 

Treatment to try

There is only one treatment offered here: the Deep Sleep Head Massage, available in 30 minutes, 50 minutes and 65 minutes sessions. Designed to offer a slew of benefits like reduce brain fatigue, anxiety, strengthen hair from the roots, and improve skin tone among others, the dry head massage is done by applying light pressure around the scalp, focusing on the skull to enhance blood circulation. This treatment is also suitable for children aged 12 years and above. 

Established in 2010, Aleyda is a leading mobile spa provider in Singapore, offering exceptional massage services in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Promising a no-frills experience, the appointed therapist will bring the entire set-up to your home, from ergonomic massage equipment, fresh linen, massage oils, music and more. Aleyda also provides office massage services and some of their corporate clients include INSEAD, and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

Treatment to try

For the ultimate indulgence, go for the Smooth & Soothe ($269 for 120 minutes), offering a relaxing organic coffee scrub followed by an indulgent 90-minute body massage with custom-blended aromatherapy oils. If you need a quick fix, there is the 90-minute back rub and foot reflexology, which will offer a much-needed boost during your lunch break, or the the perfect recharge at the end of a hectic work day. 

A sanctuary nestled amidst 15 acres of lush tropical greenery, CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, with its luxurious yet down-to-earth setting, offers the perfect escape for guests to recharge and rejuvenate. Apart from boasting a team of highly skilled therapists, the spa also offers top-of-the-line amenities – all the products they use are from Zents, a luxurious wellness line of  hydrating and ultra-gentle body care from the United States. Most of the Chi, The Spas around the world also use this organic line of products. 

Treatment to try

Available in every Chi, The Spa around the world, the Signature Asian Blend Massage ($170 for 60 minutes) is a must-try. Combining the best of Asian massage techniques like Thai acupressure and stretching, Balinese and Malaysian deep strokes, Chinese Tui Na, Indian Ayurvedic and more, into a single massage, this treatment will leave you feeling invigorated. Another notable treatment to try is the Healing Himalayan Hot Salt Stone Massage ($240 for 90 minutes), which uses heated natural salt stone crystals – considered to be the purest and most beneficial salt on earth – during the massage, and is said to be able to neutralise the ill effects of toxic frequencies we live with. 

Co-founded by Herman a former personal trainer and Iqbal who was a senior registered nurse for more than a decade, Muscle Lab specialises in sports massage therapy, which offers a slew of benefits including muscle recovery, injury prevention, reduce muscle tension and more. From stretch therapy to cupping therapy and muscle rehab and more, Muscle Lab offers a wide range of services that will help athletes and fitness enthusiasts take better care of themselves. Their team consists of experienced, certified therapists and practitioners who have certifications and years of experience in holistic physical well-being, ranging from Stretch Therapy, Clinical Sports Massage, and more, so you can be assured that you are in good hands. 

Treatment to try

Regardless what sport you do, the Sports Massage Therapy is suitable for anyone who leads a relatively active lifestyle, offering a combination of soft tissue manipulation, trigger point massage and assisted isolated stretching. Apart from loosening tight knots, this treatment will also help increase mobility and up sporting and exercise performance. 

Established in 2012, Han Dynasty Spa ranks high on the list of people seeking quality massages at pocket-friendly prices. Another huge draw is their long operating hours, which allows party goers, busy executives and parents to get a late night massage whenever they need one. The oriental-themed spa offers full-body massages, foot reflexology, body scrubs, and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments like ba guan and gua sha therapies.

Treatment to try

The Oriental Body Massage ($59 for 60 minutes and $86 for 90 minutes), an oil-based treatment focusing on acupuncture points to loosen knots and strained muscles, is a great way to unwind after a long day. The therapists are all well-trained to knead away aches and tension in your body, and even provide tips on how to enhance recovery post massage. 

When you're hustling it hard in the city, there's nothing like a relaxing spa session to wind down and soothe your worries. Located in Suntec City, The Thai Spa is the perfect place to escape to after work. Traditional therapy, ancient rituals and aromatherapy combine to bring you an authentic experience that will help revitalise and rejuvenate the body. 

Treatment to try

Some highlights on the spa menu include the couple massage with a complimentary rose honey milk bath in a private jacuzzi ($228 for one hour) and traditional Thai-style massage ($98 per hour) to bust those muscle and joint aches. 

Some of its highly recommended therapy treatments include the peppermint body scrub, Thai reflexology, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Balinese massage, Lomi Lomi massage, body polishing and several slimming therapies. The Thai Spa also specialises in organic and herbal facials ($79) which include extraction and a Thai herbal face mask. 

If you can do without the frills, Green Apple Spa gets the job done without the compromise of quality. The comfy armchairs in the parlour reflect the seating arraignment of a movie theatre - deliberate so because patrons are treated to in-house shows as they get a rub-down.

Treatment to try

Prices start from $39 an hour for a regular 60-minute foot massage and $52 for body massages. 

A spa that punches above the other heartland ones in its vicinity, Aramsa is a little hard to find as it’s located in the middle of sprawling Bishan Park – definitely schedule some extra time on the commute here. Aesthetics-wise, this spa in a garden is impressive – it features 17 elegantly designed treatment rooms, each with individual outdoor courtyards that boast their own outdoor showers or therapeutic hydrotherapy baths set against a jungle backdrop (you have to book a bath treatment to get to use it). 

Treatment to try

Try their organic and herb-based massages, exfoliations, wraps and facials, detox with their mineral mud body wraps or go for water therapy sessions with mineral garden baths or rainforest showers. The Signature Garden Packages features packages of three or four therapies conducted over 150 minutes to work dry and mature skin or restore the energy in sapped and stressed bodies.     

Scrub off the harshness of modern day living with Nimble/Knead's body scrubs. Lime Luffa Buffer ($69 for 45 minutes) works against the harm done by pollution and UV rays with with lime’s Vitamin C, flavonoids and antiseptic quality. Meanwhile Lemongrassade ($69 for 45 minutes) works to tighten pores and invigorate tired skin. The décor: The facade and receiving area are decorated with cool industrial-looking containers, while inside is more traditional: a palette of browns and burgundies offset by Thai silk pillows and wall decals of flowers and birds.

Treatment to try

Spa-standards like Thai, Balinese, Swedish and foot massages, as well as the 90-minute Sculptor’s Handiwork that combines a stint under cold wrap with a firm massage to combat cellulite. Food-themed body scrubs and masks are also a feature with choices like Chocoholic ($69 for 45 min) and Green Tea Honey ($69 for 45 min).

If your late-night shenanigans usually take place in the Orchard Road vicinity, consider concluding the revelry at Herbal Footcare – a 24/7 massage parlour that is easily the most affordable from this lot. With its interior décor kept to the bare minimal, Herbal Footcare is rather plain, simple and fuss-free, where the only thing that grabs one’s attention is its massive neon-red couches to sink in during reflexology.

Treatment to try

Body pampering services are without the frills, ranging from foot reflexology ($24 for 30mins) and body massages ($33 for 30mins) to the traditional Chinese methods of ear candling, cupping and gua sha (skin scraping). Look out for promotions where you can get both a massage and reflexology for less than $50. 

Probably the closest to a public bath in Singapore, this independent spa complex is reminiscent of a Chinese hot springs resort. Upon entering, you’re directed to either the men’s or women’s side and given a locker – swimming trunks, robes and towels are provided, so there’s no need to bring anything. The locker rooms have a hot pool (plus a cold pool for the men – it supposedly improves circulation), sauna and showers. In the common areas, you can relax on comfy couches with personal TV screens, plus there’s an all-you-can eat buffet throughout the day, making it quite easy to spend a full day here (and well worth the basic $68 entry price).

Treatment to try

Gateway to Vitality (members $130/one hour, non-members $163/one hour). The spa’s standard deep-tissue massage uses Shiatsu-style techniques – you can choose to use oil for a smoother, more relaxing treatment, or non-oil for more direct pressure-point massage. The price includes free roam of the spa’s facilities and buffet.

You don’t have to fly to Japan to soak in an onsen. Ikeda Spa’s bathing experience is authentic enough to please even the most wizened red-faced macaque: it’s got black ceramic floor tiles, shower valves and stools and, of course, a hinokiburo – a tub made of Japanese cypress – imported straight from the motherland. But come for the spa, and stay for the menu of massages.

Treatment to try

Using only the highest grade plant oils, the Elemental Aromatherapy massage ($180) draws upon Eastern and Western massage techniques to help restore individual balance.

Founded by Joshua Lung in 2001, Healing Touch offers a diverse variety of facials and massages at highly affordable rates with a focus holistic healing. While it doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet, some mild aching can be expected afterwards, although it goes away after a couple of hours. No pain, no gain, right?

Treatment to try

Its signature 4P Tension Relief Massage ($67.41 for one hour) fuses techniques from Swedish, Thai, deep tissue and acupuncture techniques to help loosen up your muscles and improve blood circulation. 

Experience authentic Javanese massage by highly skilled staff, who have been put through intensive training by Indonesian professionals. If a deep muscle massage is something you're looking for, the Javanese experience relies upon pressure pushing, pressing and circling along and around the body’s energy meridians to break down tensely knotted muscles and to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system into releasing its self-regenerative power and increase blood circulation. 

Treatment to try

The signature massage here is the traditional Javanese full body massage (from $75) which uses all parts of the hand, including the knuckles, to knead and massage the muscles.

Decadence is the name of the game at Remede’s first branch in Asia. Located on the hushed end of the Orchard Road stretch, this place takes the relaxing experience up a notch with exotic teas, bubbly champagnes and floral-scented chocolates from the hotel’s LaBrezza restaurant. Filled with steam chambers, a Finnish dry heat sauna, a Vichy shower, a hydro massage pool and a peaceful outdoor hot whirlpool. What it lacks in space for outdoor cabanas and sweeping pools like other spas, it makes up for with indulgent amenities.

Treatment to try

Get the ultimate 'treat yourself' massage experience with the Head-to-Toe ($325) 120-minute massage that melts away stress, soothes your mind and restores the balance of the body. Begin with a 60-minute massage of your choice, followed by a 30-minute reflexology massage, completed with a 30-minute head massage.

Definitely one of the funkier spas out there, the rainforest-inspired AWAY Spa at W Singapore, oozes trendiness and elegance all at once. The massage rooms are bathed in a unique, soothing blue light, and each comes with its own private outdoor shower. Guests can also make use of the many facilities, such as the warm vitality pool in the decompression area (complete with a hydro back bench and jet features) and a fun, experiential shower called Aqua, which has options like Tropical Storm and Cold Mist – with various water settings and light effects to match. Choose from treatments like customised massages, the luminous crystal facial, a bust-reviving therapy to lift, firm and tone, a cleansing and exfoliating facial for men, and even a tension-easing massage for sports buffs.

Treatment to try

AWAY Body Treat ($380/two hours). Using products from UK-based company Ila-Spa, the treatment starts off with an exfoliating body scrub with Himalayan salt crystals and a body mud wrap, while the second part involves an invigorating tension-reducing massage. A special soundtrack by Ila is played throughout the session to complement the long, gentle movements of the masseuse.