Situated just a stone’s throw away from the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town, Almanity Hoi An is the perfect location to explore the picturesque area. But what makes a stay at this year-old resort truly unique is its wellness concept. In addition to yoga, meditation and tai chi, guests enjoy a complimentary Spa Journey every day during their stay at the My Chi Spa, which is the largest spa in Vietnam.
Situated just a stone’s throw away from the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town, Almanity Hoi An is the perfect location to explore the picturesque area. But what makes a stay at this year-old resort truly unique is its wellness concept. In addition to yoga, meditation and tai chi, guests enjoy a complimentary Spa Journey every day during their stay at the My Chi Spa, which is the largest spa in Vietnam.
THE DEAL: Journey II, also called the Hundred-Knot Tree Journey, is one of the three Spa Journeys inspired by the region’s rich culture and ancient traditions. This 90-minute programme comprises qigong, steam, sauna and the award-winning Bamboo Hero Massage to relax the mind and body while rejuvenating the skin.
THE LOWDOWN: The first stop of my journey was the Easy Flow Ritual, a qigong session designed for stress relief. For 10 to 15 minutes, I imitated the flowing movements of my ‘Soul Guide’, which were surprisingly easy to follow. As I focused on how my body felt during the gentle practice, my mind gradually calmed and I was able to tune into myself.
Next, I was led to the sauna and steam area. The frankincense-infused sauna is ideal for flushing out toxins from the body, while the Cloud Atlas Steam experience uses eucalyptus mist to improve clarity and focus, ease breathing and stimulate circulation. This also prepared my skin to be replenished in the massage that followed.
Already feeling more serene than ever, I left the sauna for the main course of this pampering journey – the Bamboo Hero Ritual. After settling comfortably on the treatment bed, my therapist applied the Ancient Tea Tree Balm on my calves, arms and neck, while rolling and pressing a warm bamboo stick over these areas. As she slowly yet firmly rolled the bamboo over my soles and shoulders, I felt tension I didn’t even realise existed leave my body. She continued to knead away knots in my muscles using shiatsu finger pressure technique, as my thoughts drifted and I slipped into dreamland…
THE BENEFITS: Said to be the strongest massage on the menu, this unique fusion treatment marries shiatsu with the deep bamboo roll technique to ease muscle and joint tension and rebalance the body. The results are enhanced by the deeply soothing and nourishing properties of the Ancient Tea Tree Balm, which is made from menthol, camphor and Vietnamese basil.
THE VERDICT: The journey was at once relaxing and invigorating. From the qigong session through to the massage, not only were my physical concerns taken care of, but emphasis was also placed on the state of my mind. Guests are recommended to spend a few mindful moments in the Silent Sanctuary post-treatment to complete the holistic journey.
