Spa Review: Start your week stress-free

Raffles Spa offers a number of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments for those who have trouble unwinding

My first thought upon entering Raffles Spa, located on the fourth floor of the iconic pyramid-shaped hotel, was that it is a maze. And no wonder: the sprawling space encompasses six spa suites, an outdoor pool, a relaxation area, a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Even with the treatment rooms having soothing names (Tranquility, Serenity, Wisdom, are some of them), for identification, it's easy to get lost. On the bright side, the facilities are accessible for those having spa treatments - so you may want to arrive early to make a day of it. 
Of course, I can't seem to take my own advice because I arrived five minutes before the appointment, out of breath and very stressed. "Luckily, you're having our Stress Relieve Treatment," pointed out my friendly masseuse Sari, who hails from Bali. The 90 minute treatment includes a massage and facial and is, indeed, built with relaxation in mind. Halfway through, I realised I was almost nodding off - something that hasn't happened at a spa before. Surely, a testament to Sari's incredible skills!
It was impossible to leave immediately after  that session so I ended up kicking back in the relaxation area, revelling in its subtle luxury, with a cup of green tea and a magazine. There's no room for stress in a place like that. 
Therapy Times
I liked how Sari gave me the choice between two massage oils - lavender for sore muscles and chamomile for relaxation (I love lavender so it was an easy pick for me). She then  proceeded to work on my back before moving on to a thorough 45 minute body massage, using long strokes. The express facial, which began after, started with her cleaning my skin, followed by a Neruli face cream ("for your dry skin," she told me), toner, scrub and oil. Once she put on a facepack, she let it sit for a while, using that time to massage my head (which is where I almost slept off). Every ointment applied to my face was wiped with a warm towel - an excellent touch.  
What we loved...
The subtle touches like the choice between massage oils and the warm towels used to wipe the potions off the face. The fact that my masseuse used Neruli oil for my dry skin made me feel like the treatment was personalised. Of course, having a lot of other spa facilities is also a bonus.
What we didn't...
Like I mentioned, the spa is a bit of a labyrinth and it's easy to get lost. I did when I was looking for the changing room, which happened to be near the gym! The facial was very relaxing but blackhead removal is not part of it.