Hummingbird Retreat: Leaves You Humming Blissfully

Posted: March 2nd, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Health & Fitness | Tags: Bodhi, Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat, May Cheng, Oriental Taipan, spa | 7 Comments »

3 self-indulgent pleasures I never feel guilty spending serious money on: Travel, Food and Spa Pampering

While the first two luxuries apply everywhere in the world, I really only treat myself to massages, facials and spa days in China.  Apart from the fact that prices are exponentially higher back at home in the US (and many other parts of the world), spa days are my haven away from Beijing’s noise, chaos and pollution and my savior for both my body’s well-being and my sanity.

As necessary as it is to take an annual vacation leave to escape and re-energize, everyone should treat themselves to a few hours of pampering once a month.  When it’s done properly, I think you’d be surprised how serene and revitalized you can feel after just a 60-90 minute massage.

After a very active weekend of snowboarding and hiking, I could not think of a better way to spend my Sunday afternoon than in a quiet spa for a soothing massage.  Thanks to a good friend’s recommendation of a recently opened spa (*shout out to Adam Guli, founder of Let’s Powwow), I went to test out Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat and I’m not exaggerating when I say their Signature 4-Hand Massage is to die for. I can’t remember the last time I had such an incredible massage. I just kept thinking to myself over and over, “this is A-MA-ZING and I don’t want this to end!”

I normally go for the standard traditional Chinese style massage, but the front desk receptionist was so persuasive in recommending their Signature 4-hand massage (RMB 518/760 for 60/90 min), I gave it a try for the first time followed by a much-needed deep-cleansing facial treatment (RMB 380 for 70 min).

The Signature 4 Hand Massage started off with heated towels placed on my feet followed by a completely synchronized oil massage – rubbing down my back and up my legs at the same time, arms and legs together and head and feet together. The oil was both warm and soothing and totally absorbed into my skin leaving it feeling silky smooth and the massage itself was seriously so good, I didn’t want to let myself drift to sleep!

Following the Signature 4 Hand Massage, I got a very relaxing hour-long facial treatment that was so relaxing, I slept through most of it and woke up with my skin glowing and my body rejuvenated.

After my two and a half hours came to a blissful end, I was warmly greeted by one of the owners May Cheng who gave me a tour of the space (so I could snap some photos for this post!), a bit of background about the new spa and more information about their other spa services.

“The Hummingbird is a bird that everyone hears about but not many people in the world have a chance to see, so it’s a very unique bird.  And they only drink sweet nectar from certain flowers so I like to imagine hummingbirds in a quiet, peaceful garden full of flowers, away from chaos and crowds. That is the experience I want to give.”  - May Cheng

Specializing in their Signature 4-Hands Massage, they also highly recommend their Aromatic Hot Stone Massage - “a vigorous massage using warm Balinese stones wrapped in muslin and infused with aromatic spices that have been immersed in melted aromatic shea butter with essential oils, working as both a body scrub and a deeply soothing massage good for detoxing“.  Their aromatherapy massages uses 100% imported pure organic marula oil, offering different options from Lavender to Lemongrass, Sandalwood and Yiang-Yiang oil (options change seasonally).  Facials are all customized according to skin type and beauticians will keep records for all of their members for follow-up care.

Hummingbird is also the first to offer both Pre- and Postnatal Relaxation Massage to improve circulation and help with swelling and tensed muscles.

Hummingbird Retreat is currently in its soft-opening stage now but a planned official opening in Mid-March.

*If you sign up for a Membership Privilege Card with Hummingbird Retreat before they officially open, then you can enjoy some additional package bonuses!

LumDimSum Snapshots of Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat:

Review of Hummingbird Retreat: Facing Vantone Center’s 7-11 in Central Park, No. 6 Chaowai Da Jie, Central Park (North Gate) Block 3, Unit 103, 朝阳区朝外大街6号, 新城国际 北门 3号楼103, Tel: 6597 9119

• Best Part:

• Signature 4-Hands Massage is to die for
• High-quality products like 100% pure Manula oil used in Aromatherapy Massages and 4 hands massage
• Wide range of services that cater to different needs: traditional Chinese massage for aches and pains, Japanese Shiatsu to sooth away stress and Aromatherapy Massage to rid sleeplessness and fatigue
• 1st spa to offer Pre- and Postnatal Massages
• Customized facials by beauticians according to your skin type
• Nice selection of essential oils and herbal remedies
• English speaking staff & run by International Management Team
• Great promotional deals: Early Bird Promotion – FREE 60 min. foot massage with facial treatment (Mon-Fri 10AM-3PM)
• Sign up early for Privilege Membership Card as they currently have some steal deals! RMB 3000 gets you 30% discount on massages and 15% discount on facials/waxing/nail care + extra bonuses!

Comments:

• They are still in their soft-opening stage so walls are still a bit bare as they are finishing final touches throughout the space.
• Their Signature massage was one of the best massages I’ve ever had in my life, but was missing head and neck rub-down.  If you crave that too, then you can add on a Tip-Top (4-hands head and shoulder massage) together with Signature 4 hands massage for a total of RMB 800 for 120 min – called Cloud 9.
• Their space is a bit tight so rooms mostly accommodate up to 2 people for full body massages or 4 people for foot massages (not for big groups).
• This is a place to relax and recuperate, so they don’t serve food or snacks (like Bodhi and Oriental Taipan) but they provide complimentary tea to keep you hydrated.
• Combo Massages can get a bit pricey, so I recommend signing up early for their Membership Privilege Card to enjoy greater discounts and get more value and special deals.  Definitely makes it worth it.

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Therapeutic Treatment: 9
• Atmosphere: 8
• Service: 9
• Overall Experience: 9

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