Timeless elegance and classic luxury are what the Shangri-La Hotel is all about, and those values are held dear at Chi, the Spa on level two. Exit the lift and enter a world of hushed voices, dark earth tones and soft lighting that sets you at ease almost straight away. It’s worth arriving early for your treatment in order to make the most of the facilities before blissing out entirely; a quick workout in the well-equipped gym, a swim in the indoor pool, a soak in the adjacent hot tub or a sweaty sit in the sauna. The secluded sundeck may not have an award-winning view, but the chance to catch some rays in relative peace and quiet in this busy part of town is nothing to complain about.
The waiting area is our pick for the best place to unwind – slip on a thick, fluffy robe; pour yourself a cup of hot tea or a glass of citrus-infused water; grab a glossy travel magazine, and start drifting away in the comfort of an ultra-cushy lounge chair made semi-private thanks to wispy curtains. Getting up might prove challenging when your therapist comes to collect you, but you can always sink back in again after your session for another cuppa and a quick mental debrief.
This is an intimate establishment, with only six treatment suites (two have double occupancy, for couples or friends looking to enjoy the experience together), and the menu of services is correspondingly concise. You’ll find the massage-and-facial fundamentals, as well as a couple of body scrubs and wraps, but we believe in going all-out every now and again. We’re here for Arabian Oud Renewal Therapy – a 45-minute oil massage followed by a 45-minute facial and scalp treatment, all featuring ethically-sourced, small-batch products from Sodashi in Fremantle, WA.
We get why they call it a ‘suite’ – settling into a state of deep relaxation proves to be no problem in the airy, inviting and very spacious treatment room. It’s 90 minutes of pure comfort from start to finish, with polite and periodic check-ins along the way. The sequence of mists, creams and masks applied during the minimally-invasive facial feels great against the skin, but the ultra-rich body oil is the real standout: incredibly nourishing, spice-fragrant and, delightfully, not greasy.
Hour-long treatments start at $185, so we’re definitely talking the pointier end of the spa spectrum here. Why rush things? Grab a couple of pals and join forces for the Pamper Spa-rty for Three, a body scrub and massage followed by high tea courtesy of Sydney’s favourite pink-haired pastry queen Anna Polyviou in the Lobby Lounge. Or, hit the hard stuff at a higher altitude at Blu Bar on 36, which features some of the best Harbour views in the city. Go on, treat yourself.
