The Spa at The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Picturesque limestone hills, jungle covered grounds and natural geothermic hot springs surround the Spa and Wellness Centre at The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat. Immersed in tropical paradise, Mother Earth lends a helping hand to guests desiring relaxation and optimum health.

The reception is an open-walled lobby, sprouting green from all angles, with the tinkle of running water as live background music. A wall fountain lines the entrance, with large ceramic pots bubbling over with water. Guests are greeted with a welcome tea and, a health and preference questionnaire to fill out before treatment begins.

Welcome Tea

A range of treatments form part of the menu, but the Spa and Wellness Centre focuses on overall health and, as such, expertly designs comprehensive wellness programmes for a brief stay of two days, to a customized plan of action for 21 days. Six different consultations begin the development of programmes depending on guests’ individual goals: Wellness (30min RM150); Naturopathic (90min RM380); Nutrition (60min RM340); Fitness (60min RM300); Traditional Chinese Medicine (20min RM180) and; Ayurvedic (included complimentary with any Ayurvedic treatment). A team of in-house wellness practitioners, comprising a naturopath, nutritionist, Ayurvedic doctor, yoga instructor and personal trainer assist in forming a holistic, goal-oriented schedule for guests.

Drawing from Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, an extensive menu of treatments and therapies are designed around the wisdom of ancient healing traditions combined with contemporary knowledge. Besides the customary spa items, such as massages, body wraps and facials, a full range of healing treatments form part of the bill of fare too. Colon hydrotherapy, antioxidant restorative therapy, hydrotherapy and, energy healing treatments such as Reiki and Chakra Energy Balancing make for an overwhelming array of options.

Spa Villas

We knew what we wanted though and it was a good, deep tissue massage. The menu showed a variety of options from a 30 minute (RM120) Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage, to Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage (45min RM240), to Warm River Stone Massage (75min RM400), up to The Banjaran’s Signature Massage (90min RM480). After a number of long stressful weeks at work, we wanted the whole hog so the signature massage fit the bill exactly.

Foot Wash Area

All massages are performed in private treatment villas. Ours was at the end of a long courtyard. The short walk to our room took us past water features and manicured gardens. Our window was filled with the awe-inspiring sight of the limestone formations rising dramatically from the ground, and a tempting stone bathtub sat outside, seductively inviting us in for a dip.

Stone Bathtub

A foot ritual begins each treatment where feet are washed and bathed in warm water and coconut milk. For The Banjaran Signature Massage, you stay seated for the commencement of the therapy. Beginning with an Indian head massage, medium to firm pressure (you can ask for adjustments as you prefer) is applied with both stroking and isolated point techniques. The following Urut Traditional Malay massage is performed while you lay down. Stretching, long kneading strokes and slow firm pushes, work to improve circulation and enhance the immune system. (I’m not sure how that is scientifically measured, but we did indeed feel the benefits of stress reduction and loosening of tight muscles.) Finally Chinese pressure point foot therapy concludes the session. Personally, I find 90 minutes to be the perfect length for a massage. 60 minutes just seems to slip away and two hours is too long to stay still. I appreciated the special focuses on head, body and feet. I often feel that my head and feet miss out when I go for a regular massage. This signature treatment however, ensured that each was given adequate attention.

Treatment Room

Setting and quality packages are unfaultable and, I find after reading their information sheet, that care for the environment rounds out the centre’s practices.

Situated in the gorgeous natural setting of Tambun, preserving the beauty of the environment is of high importance to the management of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat. As such, a number of sustainable practices are in place such as careful administration of water, waste and energy resources and, a special programme, which protects and replants the surrounding tropical jungle.

Natural Products

Product ranges are organic, halal certified and packaging recyclable. Within the villas of the Spa and Wellness Centre, ceramic containers are used for body lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner rather than plastic bottles. Recycled papers are the base of promotional materials as well as room accessories like the paper woven baskets made by local communities.

Come get, “Banjaran-ed!”

Reasons to visit: gorgeous setting, comprehensive range of treatments and therapies, expert practitioners, The Banjaran Signature Massage

1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3

31500 Ipoh

Perak Darul Ridzuan

Malaysia

+6 05 210 7777

Open daily 9am – 7pm.

Outside guests are welcome with an advance reservation. (An appointment is necessary to be allowed past the strict security gates.)