The Darling Spa, Sydney, Australia

The Darling Spa, Sydney

When it comes to visiting a day spa in Sydney, a top destination for romantic getaways, the city is blessed with plenty of choice. And at the luxury end of the scale in particular, besides some quality independent spa venues, almost every five-star hotel worth its salt has a spa. The chic hotel at The Darling is no exception.

• Location: At The Darling Sydney, Pyrmont.
• Treatment menu: It is comprehensive with a dedicated Men’s Zone, Pregnancy Treatments, Signature Treatments and a lineup of poolside options for hotel guests. The product line includes the ultra-chic and expensive Swiss La Prairie brand, and ESPA. The only problem is choosing what to do!. 
• What else is there: There are 11 treatment rooms, including two intimate couple's suites, a relaxation lounge with reclining beds, herbal teas and fruit platters, an exotic Moroccan Hammam chamber, a steam room and a fitness centre complete with a Kinesis wall.
• Why go: It’s a full-service spa with great facilities.

The Space

Just a stone's throw from Darling Harbour in Pyrmont, this über sexy spa is tucked away on the second floor of the hotel, a world away from the hustle and bustle of the adjacent casino and the entertainment precinct’s world class restaurants. It's a huge and super quiet space, in character with the rest of the elegant property. Walking through its long corridors, and exploring its many nooks and crannies, this is an indulgent and sensual spa; there's no natural sunlight so it is naturally dark without being too moody, and luxurious without being over the top. The primary colour palette is simple, with plenty of shades of brown, cream and biscuit with accents of colour, in particular, red, here and there. The serene and dimly lit atmosphere will have you relaxing the minute you enter.

The Treatment

The Darling Essential Facial is a one-hour indulgence which really peps your skin up, thanks to the La Prairie products which are the ultimate in luxury skin care, and the skilled hands of a good therapist. This is a brand with a focus on anti-ageing, and this facial pampering produces dramatic results for tired, stressed skin in just 60 minutes. It begins with a thorough cleansing and exfoliation, then a lengthy facial massage to improve circulation. A mask is also applied, during which you are further indulged, and treated to a relaxing head massage and hand massage. Post treatment, back in the women's changing room, I have to admit my skin looked amazing with a plumpness and radiance it evidently lacked before I arrived. Overall this is a wonderful wellness sanctuary for anyone who feels in the need for some quite time and pampering while in Sydney, especially if you're on a romantic getaway. It's a beautiful, serene space combining great therapists and some top quality spa brands; the facial comes with a price tag, but is well worth the investment.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The luxury decor.
• The Moroccan Hammam chamber.
• The gorgeous couples’ suites.

Insider Tips  

• Leave time to check out The Darling’s outdoor pool with its 20m-long bar.
• If you spa in the morning, stay for lunch at one of the precinct restaurants.

The Details

The Darling Spa is located at Level two, The Darling, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, NSW, 02 9657 8088, www.thedarling.com.au.