Endota Spa At The Rocks: Sydney, Australia

Where Is It: The Rocks, Sydney CBD.

Why Go: Central location, big menu of treatment options for face and body.

Best For: Couples.

Three Things We Loved: The decor, the treatment menu, the herbal tea.

The Ultimate Factor: The serene atmosphere.

Overview:

Ah Sydney, it has a well deserved reputation as one of the world's great holiday destinations and romantic getaway hotspots, with plenty of fine dining, shopping, sightseeing and romantic locations for visiting travellers to choose from. It's also haven for spa goers, however, and one of my favourite new spa retreats is Endota Spa at The Rocks - and for good reason. For one it has a pride-of-place location in the heart of Sydney's The Rocks, which is ideal for anyone staying at the five-star hotels in that part of the city through to the central CBD. But as I also discovered on a recent visit, it's a spa which is welcoming as well as therapeutic, where you can choose from a thorough menu of treatments including facials from Dermalogica. The spa itself has many facilities, including a treatment room for couples, and in warmer weather the reception area doors can be opened out, so you can enjoy a herbal tea outside on Nurses Walk relaxing on wooden chairs. There are also some "salon" services on offer including manicures and pedicures, spay tans, lash tinting and waxing. It's basically a one-stop-shop for looking great on the road, and open seven days a week.

The Decor:

Endota is a natural brand and it's fitting that it's primary colour is green. As you walk into the reception area on the ground level, you are welcomed with plenty of earth tones including rich warm wood flooring and a counter, a skin bar with displays of Endota and Dermalogica products, and some inspiring framed posters depicting images of meditation, spa treatments and overall wellness. The action takes place downstairs in a serene, quiet and softly lit environment where the same colour scheme and wood accents continue, with lively splashes of green in the massage table covers. Treatment rooms include one for a single person with a generous sized spa tub, and there's a double room for couples or friends with a double geisha tub. There are changing rooms also with lockers, showers and facilities for you to redo your makeup or hair, and a small relaxation area for before and after, equipped with ongoing hot herbal tea. So it's a place to relax, unwind and revitalise, as well as a place to stock up on essential Dermalogica products. The spa menu has it all, from hot rock massage and body detoxing, to spa packages ranging from just over an hour to half a day, couples treatments including use of a spa bath, facials and peels.

The Treatment:

I was set for a trio of pampering treats with therapist Jo, beginning with a skin consultation using a diagnostic machine which can tell you what's ailing your skin in terms of pigmentation, dehydration and more. What was revealed here is that the area around my eyes and nose was dehydrated - typical winter weather being largely the culprit - and it's great in helping your therapist know exactly what your skin needs. Next came a 30 minute relaxation massage to do just what it promises - to relax you. Jo worked on the areas of my body we discussed, which had a focus on the lower back, also the neck and shoulders, using lovely Endota oils. The final part of my pampering session was a a hydro-microdermabrasion with a facial, and as I'd had one some time before I knew what to expect. Hydro-microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tip wad to exfoliate the face and neck; the tip suctions the skin, removing dead skin cells, while the wand infuses a super hydrating serum into the skin to boost it. The key to this procedure, however, is the water-cooled technology, which means the exfoliation process is gentle yet extremely thorough, and your skin looks plump and super hydrated at the end. 

The Verdict:

It was a pity to break the spell and leave Endota and go back to the real world after a morning of such indulgence. However, I travelled home relaxed from my massage, with bare skin which looked amazing and truly revitalised.