It's one of those "tough job, but ..." moments when we turn up at the InterContinental Hong Kong to review the Pearl of Love Indulgence couple's experience at I-Spa. The Valentine's Day special includes use of a private couple's spa suite, 90 minutes of treatment and a three-course "ihealth" lunch. There's even optional use of the fitness centre, and three-temperature spa pools on the terrace.
Our spa suite has a rose petal-filled aromatherapy bath, steam shower and sauna. The lighting is dimmed, it's heavenly scented, and the music is Indian yoga retreat-style instead of the usual muzak.
Though we arrive late, they set our schedule back to ensure we still have 30 minutes to enjoy the facilities alone (time enough that my "plus one" needs reminding we're there for professional reasons).
After a while, the Jacuzzi turns off — a tactful warning that our therapists will be re-entering. The sugar lavender scrub they apply to our pre-steamed, pre-warmed bodies is satisfyingly coarse as they slough away dry skin. Then comes the aroma massage; it's deeply relaxing, with generous amounts of thick lemon grass-scented oil applied in long, hypnotic strokes. They finish in perfect unison, and offer us ginger or Chinese tea.
Once dressed, we're steered reluctantly away from the sunny poolside terrace, as they're worried about noise from the construction site next door. We head instead to the club, which turns out to have equally beautiful harbour views. There we're served a pre-selected, three-course menu of healthy food, with a glass of champagne. Unable to finish our dessert, we swap our green tea for an espresso as the heat, massage and bubbly has left us stupefied.
