Aramsa Spa (Garden Spa)

[voodoo_mary]

i recently visited this spa (yesterday) actually. so i have a very updated review:

background- a friend bought me a package that includes facial massage, body massage, ear candling and foot soak. the whole package last about 150 mins. and its for a couple. so i dragged my husband along with me.

making an appointment- this was quite a pain. i called the number on the voucher and it kept going to their restaurant- canopy bar (i think was the name) and altho canopy and aramsa are sister outlets, there is no way to connect calls from one to the other- how stupid is that? so i gave up calling and then i googled and found another aramsa phone line and then managed to get their receptionist. i maanged to make an appointment for sunday. a few days later i received a call asking if i can switch the appointment. i thought that was very inconsiderate and rude of them. you should never ask a client to switch their appointment to suit the spa's schedule. its just poor customer service. so this already left me with a bad impression.

at the spa- the ambience was really nice. the counter staff - and there was alot of them, at least 5, were all appearing really busy and flustered.i was early so i went for hi tea at green cafe which came with the package. hi tea was pleasant and tho the selection was small, it was quite yummy.

back to the spa- we were given a mini-tour of the facilities, including the locker room and the lounge area. sorry. but the lounge area is not the most comfortable lounge i've come across. the chairs there looked it there taken randomly from someone dining table set.. really. there was a small flat screen tv, promoting their spa packages and plenty of aramsa flyers and signages about their packages. and a small selection of lifestyle magazines. i dont know- hardly a place to unwind. i was thinking more lounge chairs u know... the kind with reclining backs, u can stretch out on. or even a fluffy comfy sofa.

The treatment-
we had this treatment called the oriental package=it includes 1 facial massage with "jade" rollers, and a bamboo massage. plus a herbal foot soak and ear candling. and a body masque.
first up- i've been to many spas, in phuket, bali, malaysia and even sri lanka and india. i'm always very wary when a spa over-sells itself. and has fancy new-agey stuff. to me, its really all gloss covering a lack of substance. but i was hoping i would be proven wrong. i wanted to like aramsa so much. it did have a pleasant rustic and peaceful ambience i was just dying to be part of on a more regular basis (read: package!). unfortunately the massage and facial were both so terrible, i wouldnt recommend aramsa to my worse enemy.
here's why:
1.the masseuse was unresponsive to my feedback- i asked for a stronger massage, and she shot back that this type of massage cannot always be strong all the time.i was wondering to myself- whats that supposed to mean? i'm sorry but it makes no sense. every single spa i've been to has a masseuse that asks, 5 mins into the massage- if the pressure is strong enough. this is basic professional etiquette. and after her reply, the masseuse continued to half heartedly feel around (i wouldnt call it massage) like she was just going thru the motions and trying to make it to the 60mins mark..

2. this massage uses bamboo pieces. imagine a bamboo clothes pole cut into two sections. i felt like i was kneaded dough. it was really uncomfortable. i can imagine that this style would work in the hands of a very skilled and experienced erm.. bamboo handler.. but my masseuse was not one. even when using her hands, she barely hit my pressure points. it was so frustrating and disappointing.

3. the facial massage was also a complete waste of time. i could ask my 10 yr old niece to anyhow press my face and it would achieve the same effect. they told me they were using jade rollers. to me that's a shameless rubbish sales pitch. this is a spa. what really matters at the end of the day is not the tools used, but the skill with which they are applied. and there was NO skill at all. if tools are all that important, i could order plenty of that online and then diy.i'm payying for service and experience.

never in my life did i feel so distressed, disappointed and uneasy after leaving a spa. aramsa proved that there's always a first time for everything.

[vander230]

Hello all i am new here

[vander230]

Hello all If you have any more knowledge on such topics and i am very much interested in learning it and to gathering more information on it.

spa ii

[Lea123]

I would hesitate to recommend Aramsa. I've been there and suffered some injuries after the massage. When I called them about it, the staff gave some excuses and promised a return call that never came.

[Vernice31]

My friend brought his mom and sisters to the spa for mother's day celebration over the weekend. The place is big, the ambience is nice and the service was very good.

Massage was comfortable and the staff were not pushy with their packages. Just asked them if they would like to hear about the spa's packages. Overall experience was good!

[cheryl_af]

what kind of injuries did you suffer? I passed by it and was hooked onto it's serene environment...very tempted to try

[Borgen-breeze]

Aramsa spa is definitely one of the better spa in Singapore.

Located within Bishan park, a pity that it's too far from where I live in the West ! If not I would definitely be visiting more often.

I've been there 3 times in the last one year and the experience is always amazing. Great ambient with pretty changing rooms, spacious shower area, free steam room and sauna usage. The waiting room is huge with cool looking furnitures, magazines, hot towels and comes complete with fragrant ginger tea and tasty biscuits ! The aroma in the room coupled with scenery of the lush greenery around the glass walls takes you to another world. One will immediately feel relaxed and soothed ! You are free to stay in the room as long as you like after the treatment !

Every detail and rooms are designed with thoughts and care for someone looking to relax and pamper themselves within the lush tropical landscape that they designed specifically for the spa itself !

Most of the therapist are good. They know when to keep quiet and when to ask questions. No hardselling from any of them. Even the occasional promotional free treament comes with no string attached.

The reception will try to introduce you their packages but they never hardsell.

The only downside is that they do cost a little more than your average chain spa ! But hey, for a tranquil stressed free pampering session once in a while, I'm more than happy !

Go quality NOT quantity !

Thumbs up for Aramsa and I hope they keep up with their good garden concept.

[DithWoo]

Went there only once in 2010 with my mom and we both loved it. I won 2x combo of full body signature aramsa touch massage and facial with skinceuticals in a contest. although i didn't pay a single cent, the staff were not condescending. the only hiccup was when i booked, i didn't specify it was for two people, because i redeemed my prize, and i thought they would know it's for a mother and daughter. anyway later they said it's okay, and they found a room for the both of us. It was my first time in a spa, but the staff was very professional and I didn't feel embarrassed. It's a good place for first-timers. Plus the environment is very relaxing, including the ginger tea and the vegetarian healthy biscuits and the lovely scents. After we were done, the counter staff tried to interest us in a package but after we said no, they didn't push anymore and bid goodbye to us with a smile. I was pleasantly surprised. Plus later, they sent me birthday vouchers, when I wasn't even a paying customer! Compared to say Amore spa which is of a similar grade, this is much, much better... Feel like going back again but the only drawback is that it's kinda expensive.

[i_am_prettyroan]

I never tried their service but I accompanied one friend before. The place is not so accessible by mrt but there is bus or better ride taxi. When I enter the spa the smell is very relaxing and yeah it is right that the people there are all nice. Then the place looks so beautiful and I love to sleep there if I can ever do that.. ehehheh! I will try next time and share to you. The experience staying there and wait for my friend is a good experience how much more if I will try.. Planning to do it next next week. Yeepee!!!

[orangeyjellybeany]

I tried going to Aramsa and their spa is great! The view is incredible! And I also love their service. Very professional too. But it's a bit expensive for me. I dont think I can come back anytime soon.

[fl33]

Hey gals! I was thinking of going to Aramsa Spa some time soon. However I have a few questions regarding the spa.
Hope those of you who have gone b4 can help me out here.

I was wondering when you go for the water therapy which is the bath there, if i want to soak in the buff is it possible? as in do they allow this?
and also i am afraid whether people can peep at me when i soaking? scared about this

Lastly, i heard some of u all say after ur treatments can go for free sauna and soak usage? wow must go for what treatments to get that free usage of the sauna and soak?

[Borgen-breeze]

Hey gals! I was thinking of going to Aramsa Spa some time soon. However I have a few questions regarding the spa.
Hope those of you who have gone b4 can help me out here.

I was wondering when you go for the water therapy which is the bath there, if i want to soak in the buff is it possible? as in do they allow this?

I've been there a couple of times and it's one of my favourite spa in Singapore !

I've never done the water therapy so I"m not sure how it works but I'm sure you can ask them in advance what you can and cannot do over the phone before you decide to go for it.

and also i am afraid whether people can peep at me when i soaking? scared about this

Not at all - the garden landscaping of the place is very well done and discreet. In fact that's what I love most about the place - the outdoor alfresco bath and shower ! Sometimes, when they have a live band at the next door restaurant - you get the complimentary music while doing your "soak" too. It's brilliant !

Lastly, i heard some of u all say after ur treatments can go for free sauna and soak usage? wow must go for what treatments to get that free usage of the sauna and soak?

They have a sauna room (dry heat) and a steam room (wet heat) for everyone who uses any of the spa treatment. I would assume you can use it too if you are going for the water therapy.

There is no "soak" though ? Not that I'm aware of.

[what_we_want_we_get]

I love this place!
I also like the people so friendly!