Press Releases

Malaysian Spa Festival

The touch, taste and sounds of Malaysia will be coming to Bath in April and May.

For the first time, Thermae Bath Spa is hosting a Malaysian Spa Festival from April 22nd to May 17 2009.

Three therapists from the award-winning Spa Village in Malaysia will be flying over to provide traditional spa treatments at Thermae.

A chef will accompany them from Malaysia to add a taste of the Orient to the menu at Thermae’s Springs Restaurant.

Thermae Sales & Marketing Manager Peter Rollins said: “Thermae Bath Spa and Spa Village both honour the ancient spa traditions of their individual regions so we are delighted to be able to hold the city’s first Spa Festival. We hope people who visit Thermae during the Festival will leave having enjoyed the touch, taste and sounds of Malaysia.”

YTL Hotels’ Spa Division Manager Chik Lai Ping commented: “Spa Village and Thermae Bath Spa have a shared philosophy to nurture and preserve ancient healing practices and traditions and for this reason the collaboration is a perfect affinity.”

Treatments being offered at Thermae during the festival will include Malay Traditional Massage, Balinese Massage, Pandan and Coconut Hair Mask, Campur-Campur and Chinese Pearl & Rice Facial and Egg Undulation Face Treatment.

Notes to editors

Invitation: Members of the media are welcome to come and sample a treatment and can arrange a visit to Thermae Bath Spa by contacting Charlotte Hanna, Sales & Marketing, Thermae Bath Spa.

Email: charlottehanna@thermaebathspa.com

Tel: 01225 32 84 65.

Traditional Malaysian treatments being offered at Thermae Bath Spa during the festival include:

Malay Traditional Massage - 50 mins £60 + spa session

The art of traditional Malay massage is passed on from generation to generation. The technique consists of long kneading strokes that stimulate the energy points and help to loosen and warm up the muscles, while it relaxes, detoxifies and rejuvenates the body. The treatment uses pure essential oils made with special ingredients such as turmeric, cinnamon and citronella that invigorate circulation, whilst the aroma soothes the mind.

Balinese Massage - 50 mins £60 + spa session

This massage combines historical elements from many cultures, especially Indian, Chinese and European influences which form the foundation of Balinese tradition. This Balinese ritual offers techniques with varying tempos of acupressure, rolling motions, long strokes and percussion, which provide an invigorating experience for the body.

Chinese Pearl & Rice and ‘Egg Undulation’ Face Treatment - 50 mins £60 + spa session

This classic facial uses an ancient Chinese recipe of crushed rice and pearl powder, immortalised by Chinese empresses in the Imperial courts. Designed to deeply cleanse, tone and nourish the skin, this facial also incorporates the use of jade ‘rollers’, which are gently rolled over the face to produce a cooling and soothing effect. Jade is highly significant in Chinese culture, whereby its green shade represents harmony as well as the growth and freshness that come with spring.

The traditional ‘egg undulation’ face treatment is wonderfully soothing. Based on the customs of the Chinese Peranakan, the people of a unique culture from the marriage of Malay and Chinese, the warm, shelled hard-boiled eggs are softly guided around the face and forehead to improve complexion.

Pandan and Coconut Hair Mask - 25 mins £38 + spa session

This warming pandan and coconut hair mask testifies to the rich culture of hair treatment in Malaysia where lustrous and shiny hair is highly respected as an integral part of beauty. In this treatment, fragrant pandan leaves are combined with coconut milk to moisturise and improve the health of hair. Completed with a relaxing scalp massage.

Campur-Campur - 100 mins £95 + spa session

Combining the best techniques of Malay and Thai massage, this special Spa Village creation uses touch, tone and aromatherapy to give a truly sensory experience. The scent of lemon grass and pandan leaves fills the air as steamed herbs are pressed along the body using a traditional steam pouch.

Spa Packages including a special Malaysian menu in the Springs Restaurant are also being offered.

Thermae Bath Spa

Thermae Bath Spa is Britain’s original and only natural thermal Spa, in the heart of the historic city of Bath. Here visitors can bathe in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters just as the Celts and Romans did nearly 2,000 years ago. Highlights include an open-air rooftop pool with fantastic views of the city and surrounding hills, an innovative series of steam-rooms, relaxation areas, a restaurant, visitor centre and a wide range of complementary therapies and treatments.

Spa Village

Spa Village incorporates Spa Village Pangkor Laut, Spa Village Tanjong Jara, Spa Village Cameron Highlands, Spa Village Malacca, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur and Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali.

Since its inception in 2002 with its flagship spa at Pangkor Laut Resort, YTL Hotels' award-winning concept Spa Village has grown apace and has been successful in introducing individual and authentic encounters that combine the therapeutic properties of natural local ingredients with age-old healing practices. In six short years, the group has expanded rapidly with the opening of five Spa Villages across Malaysia and a luxury spa resort in Bali. As a group the Spa Village brand presents a recognizable brand identity that is anchored in the principle of honouring the healing culture of the region in which each spa resides. Spa Village is more than just a place... it is a philosophy.

For Thermae Bath Spa press enquiries and images: Charlotte Hanna, Press Officer

Tel: 01225 328465

Email: charlottehanna@thermaebathspa.com

For Spa Village press enquiries: Gail Palmer or Louise Ferrall at KTA PR

Tel: 020 7352 1088

Email: gail@ktapr.com or louise@ktapr.com

Online Images: http://onlineimages.ytlhotels.com

March 2009