Unload All Stress & Fatigue At The End Of The Long & Winding Road

Perched like a jewel in a crown among the undulating landscape and verdant foliage of Sunway Resort & Spa is truly a gem of a spa. It’s nestled within the resort and although it takes some work and effort which involves trudging along a winding route past the resort’s swimming pools and lush greenery, past the resort’s Villas, every step is worth it as you finally arrive at the wonderful and welcoming Mandara Spa. There is another entrance to the Spa via Persiaran Lagoon and if you take this entrance, you can drive right up to the main entrance but I think the one which involves walking from Sunway Resort & Spa is the much more scenic route.

Mandara Spa epitomizes Asian hospitality at its best. Arriving at its doorstep, I totally forgot about the 10 minute walk from Level 1 of Sunway Resort & Spa, the slight exertion as I climbed an incline because all that awaited me at Mandara Spa was good from the moment I was served their signature cold ginger tea.

While waiting for your treatment, you can choose to relax and unwind inside on the Spa’s comfortable sofas or on the verandah where you will feel like you are one with nature. It’s hard to believe that the hustle and bustle of Sunway Pyramid is less than a half hour walk away, so tranquil is the feeling here. From this verandah, you can occasionally hear the screams and shouts of children from the nearby Sunway Lagoon.

Mandara Spa @ Sunway Resort & Spa is the largest of the Mandara Spas in Malaysia as it features two spacious double spa suites with en-suite sunken bath and steam-shower room, five single therapy suites, three of which include single spa suites with en-suite steam-shower room.

There are 2 gazebos (I love gazebos!), one for Thai massage and the other for manicure/pedicure services. I am sure that anyone fortunate enough to have their mani/pedi done here will have an unforgettable experience as they are surrounded by so much greenery!

The main reason for my visit to this Mandara Spa was to check out Elemis products, in particular their new Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Mask. To many, Elemis needs no introduction as it’s so famous worldwide. It’s the leading luxury British spa and skincare brand. Elemis professional spa-therapies and products are available through an elite network of over 1200 spas and salons around the world, including the Elemis day-spa flagships in London, Miami and Bangkok.

Their Pro-Collagen Marine Cream in the pink tub is limited edition (the product is available permanently in the regular tub) in celebration of their annual donation to Breast Cancer Care. The Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is Elemis’ best-selling, award-winning anti-ageing moisturizer and provides a progressive lifting effect through increased collagen support.

Elemis has just introduced the Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Mask which contain potent plankton extract combined with the power of Padina Pavonica and chlorella to provide an instant skin-tightening effect while hyaluronic acid hydrates the fragile eye area.

As an introduction to Elemis products, I was offered a complimentary Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial which is 1 hour and 15 minute long. Just what I need after the fairly long trek from Sunway Resort & Spa to Mandara. I was so looking forward to this!

Even their single treatment rooms are very spacious. There’s a cupboard for storing my bag and clothes. I changed into a “sarong” and waited for my therapist to bring in the Elemis products needed for my facial.

The facial begins with cleansing using the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm which has the most divine scent. This balm dissolves make-up and grime. It’s expertly formulated with a 100% active base of natural oils grown within the UK. It combines precious starflower, elderberry and optimega™ oils with rose and mimosa waxes and anti-ageing padina pavonica to deeply cleanse, nourish and smooth for a glowing complexion. This smelled so good that I was severely tempted to bring home a tub after the facial.

After my face had been thoroughly cleansed, the Rehydrating Ginseng Toner was sprayed on. This is ideal for rehydrating dry and mature skin. It contains extracts of tonifying Ginseng, Quillaja Wood and Sweet Betty Flower to revitalise and nourish skin. Another product that smells simply wonderful.

To exfoliate my face, the therapist applied the Gentle Rose Exfoliator which is ideal for sensitive, mature and dehydrated complexions. It’s gentle enough for every day use. Contains Hydrating Absolue of Moroccan Rose, soothing Cucumber and smooth micro-spherical Jojoba beads. It certainly felt very non-abrasive.

A slightly stronger scrub would be the Papaya Enzyme Peel with natural exfoliating fruit enzyme action of Papaya and Pineapple to smooth, brighten and clarify the complexion. This unique, non-granular exfoliating cream contains nourishing Milk Protein, Anti-Oxidant-rich Vitamin E and Marine Algae to moisturize, repair and protect skin.

I love that warm compresses are used throughout this facial, feels so comforting and it gets my blood circulation flowing. The warm towels are soaked with scent of either rosewood, lime or lavender. Rosewood is the one with the mildest scent.

There’s no extraction of blackheads nor are any machines used during this facial. It all comes down to the therapist’s skillful hands producing results coupled with the effectiveness of Elemis products of course. Sometimes it’s good to go for a facial where everything depends on the therapist’s skill.

The next part of the facial was OOOOOOOOH-SOOOOOOOOO-GOOOOOOOD! Facial massage time with Elemis Celullar Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules, this has to be the highlight of this facial as 5 of the day capsules (pink) were used for the facial, shoulder and back massage. The massage was excellent as I felt like my face had been lifted and firmed up.

I was amazed that just 5 of these capsules could be used for a relatively long massage. This is another product I really, really wanted to take home as they feel so darn good on my skin, as if my skin had just received a super charged moisture boost.

Formulated with a high concentration of Anti-Oxidant power, naturally found in Moringa Oil from the Tanzanian ‘Miracle Tree’, these Skin Bliss Capsules help repair the visible signs of ageing and counteract the damaging effects of pollution. The pink capsules have a rose scent while the green ones have a lavender scent perfect for helping one sleep well.

Next, the therapist applied the Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream which contains active plant stem cells from Edelweiss that works with the skin’s natural function at the ‘dermal-epidermal junction’ level to protect the shape of the skin cells, tighten the collagen network and hydrate evenly throughout the day.

Then it was time to try the latest Elemis product, their Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Mask which is very hydrating and great for days when your eyes feel especially tired and dark circles are terribly visible. It’ll smoothen fine lines and make you look less tired. During the time the eye mask was on, the therapist massaged my scalp.

The Pro-Collagen Lift Quartz Mask was applied, this one really sounds like what all of us ageing people need. This luxurious cream mask combines the power of Quartz with Padina Pavonica, adaptogenic Noni, Moringa and Argan Tree Oil to instantly uplift and hydrate skin, minimizing the signs of ageing for a more youthful, firmer appearance. During the time this mask was on, the therapist massaged my hands with Frangipani Oil + Frangipani Body Cream (they smell incredible!).

Now I know that not only does Elemis produce the most amazing skincare, their bodycare is indescribably superb too. Can this facial get any better?

The facial finished off with the application of the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment. My treatment didn’t end there as I also had a 15 minute much needed foot massage (not part of the facial, this is an extra) which put a spring in my step as I exited the treatment room and being hungry, I was eager to go hunting for some food but never fear, this is Mandara after all and they anticipate your every need without you having to express it to them so this was waiting for me.

Not just one drink but three packets to choose from! It’s the perfect ending to my introduction to Elemis products. The facial was one of the most memorable I have ever had and I can’t think of a nicer spa to have any kind of facial or body treatments in. It may have taken time along the long and winding road to Mandara Spa @ Sunway Resort & Spa but it was worth every step of the way as spa nirvana doesn’t even begin to describe the ambiance at this must-visit spa. You have to experience it first-hand to believe how just being there can take away all your stress and fatigue.

For more information on Mandara Spa, please visit www.mandaraspa.com