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Shoal Bay Spa Resort,
New South Wales, Australia |
 A Guest Review for SpaIndex.Com, by
Phoenix Arrien, Travel Writer. -- Sept. 2004
It’s exciting to discover a world-class spa in a little known location.
On the east coast of Australia, a few hours north of the bustling metropolis
of Sydney, sits a gem of a spa resort tucked into a pretty waterfront overlaid
with atmospheric cafes and delicious restaurants.
I had heard about it only
as a giggling whisper from newlyweds - romantic and stunningly beautiful -
and decided I needed some serious post-baby’s-birth pampering in lovely rural
surroundings.
It wasn’t until I found myself
under the professional hands of my well trained therapist cocooned in state-of-the-art
hydro equipment that I realized I had stumbled on the best kept secret in
this vast country. Pete also came out of his treatment relaxed and looking
and feeling better then he had for months.
As well as a good selection
of treatments, the spa offers hot and cold spa pools and a 25-metre lap pool.
The staff are friendly and helpful -- from the reception desk to the cleaners
of the water view apartments -- including accommodating our baby – something
often missing at adult focused spas. From our balcony of our well-appointed
self-contained rooms, we could see across the warm blue waters of Shoal Bay,
ringed by peninsulas of green forest and blue hills. It’s a stunningly picturesque
place, hence the attraction to honeymooners; however I now recommend it as
also worthy of anyone who wants to relax and rejuvenate in luxury and beauty.
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Yonka Skin Care Institute & Day
Spa, Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia |
Reader
Review submitted by Georgia C., 2007
The Yonka Skin Care Institute and Day Spa specializes in the products
of the same name. Although they do appear to have some auxiliary product lines,
these take a back seat and, in my experience, they won’t even mention them
unless you specifically ask. They are mostly lifestyle-oriented products in
any event (home fragrance, candles and the like).
The point of fragrance brings
me to the products. If you aren’t a major aromatherapy fan, it is unlikely
that this spa will please you. Although these products are not
artificially fragranced, they are certainly not shy on aroma. I have had body
massages at this spa that have cleared my sinuses (their body products contain
copious amounts of rosemary and I gather other similarly “punchy” plants).
That is my main point -- the scent of rosemary will hit you the moment you
walk through the door.
In my experience, the spa
has always been nice and warm and the décor is an interesting mix between
clinical (white laminate cabinets, frosted glass) and homey (wood but lightly
colored floorboards). Each treatment room has a small mounted radiant heater.
The spa is scrupulously clean and there are numerous air purifiers (possibly
to tone down the rosemary).
I enjoy quiet spas. Equipment-wise things are fairly basic. They
are well fitted out, but there are no lifting, slimming machines and the like.
All the treatments are
“hands on” and I prefer this approach. So far I’ve always been treated on
time. My aesthetician recommends basic products very politely. They are
not pushy on selling anything (at least not to me) which means I need to
make a point of asking questions. Once asked my aesthetician will happily
talk and advise away – worth keeping in mind if you do attend.
The product catalogue from the manufacturer is good to take away and study
if you’re so inclined. Then on your next visit you have a base to work
from.
It seems they only have a very small clientele and the few
staff appear to have known one another for a long time. |
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