Spa Review: The Spa At Park Hyatt, Sydney

There are many spas to choose from in Sydney, but the Spa at Park Hyatt offers more than just a lineup of tempting treatments to enjoy on a romantic getaway.

• Location: The Park Hyatt, on Hickson Road in The Rocks.
• Treatment menu: From body to face, from organic rituals to effective anti-ageing, and from dedicated men’s and women’s treatments, this spa has it all, along with the Australian made iKou brand for lovers of organic skin care. 
• What else is there: There is a relaxation room and two aromatherapy steam rooms in the spa. And as part of the expanded leisure facilities, the rooftop pool also has spa cabanas, a sun deck and a jacuzzi where guests can soak up the sun as well as unequalled views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
• Why go: Whether you’re a guest of the hotel, or staying in the Sydney CBD, the spa is an elegant space in one of Sydney's most sought after hotels and locations, with a menu of indulgent treatments which are perfect for a romantic getaway.

The Space

When the Park Hyatt closed its doors in 2011 for a major refurbishment, everyone knew this iconic hotel would be reinvented as something special. And it was. The multi-million-dollar rebuild took over a year, and from the moment we walked into the foyer once it reopened, we could see no stone had been unturned in its transformation. The spa wasn’t left out of the makeover. It was relocated to become part of the hotel’s top notch relaxation facilities, and emerged with five newly designed and treatment rooms, a relaxation room and two aromatherapy steam rooms. The decor fuse a relaxed and easy atmosphere with lashings of minimalist style, enjoying a colour scheme ranging from ivory to beiges, with hints of warm, rich tones including natural timber floors, limestone and luxurious fabrics. Lighting is another key element, with natural light streaming throughout, and blow glass wall lights in the treatment rooms adding to the relaxing ambience. Quiet pervades, making you feel entirely relaxed the minute you walk through the its doors.

The Treatment

Choosing a treatment in any top spa can be a challenge, but when the menu offers such an impressive list of options the task is even greater. This time we both opted for massage; my husband a 60 minute deep tissue massage, and for me I couldn’t go past the 90 minute Native Clay and Hot Oil massage. The body treatment is unusual in that it focusses largely on the back, and aims to provide pain relief along the spinal area. As a person who stores stress in their lower back, I was especially looking forward to this. My therapist (who had amazing hands, by the way), explained the full extent of both treatments and we got started with some therapeutic massage of the legs, shoulders and upper back using warm oils containing anti-inflammatory herbs and plant extracts. Then came the highlight of the massage; a ring of clay was created on my lower back, and hot oil was poured into it, and swirled around. The experience was not only unusual but deeply relaxing. If there was any stress in this area of my back, it was literally being washed away. This is a fabulous spa to visit, and well worth the money. Not only is the space beautiful, as well as centrally located, but it also offers the added bonus of being able to use the pool and other facilities if your treatment is over 90 minutes. It's the perfect place as a romantic getaway and if you want lunch there's a casual restaurant with a view downstairs. What's not to love about that? 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The friendly staff.
• The relaxation room which was a haven pre and post-treatment.
• The massage with clay and warm oils was amazing.

Insider Tips  

• The rooftop pool is stunning, and a great place to relax before or after your treatment. Plan on at least having a coffee or a light snack during your visit. 

The Details 

The Spa at Park Hyatt is located at 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW, www.hyatt.com.