Vie Spa at Pullman Magenta Shores: Central Coast, Australia

Where Is It: Just north of The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast.

Why Go: It’s a full service spa with great facilities.

Best For: Couples, girls getaways.

Three Things We Loved: The decor, the quiet location, the treatment menu.

The Ultimate Factor: The warm welcome.

Overview:

Essential for many travellers on vacation is enjoying some down time at a day spa. Outside of the big cities, and beyond dedicated spa resorts, however, finding a venue of quality can be challenging, but I've discovered Vie Spa on the Central Coast which is well worth considering if you're in need of some pampering. Located at the elegant Pullman Magenta Shores, just north of The Entrance, Vie Spa is part of a new spa brand rolled out by the Accor group in recent years. Other Vie Spas in the lineup include those at the Pullman Resort Bunker Bay, Pullman Cairns International, Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa, and Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa. 

The Decor:

This lovely spa is found downstairs in the main building at the resort beneath the lobby, in a lovely quiet spot. Decor highlights include furnishings and fittings featuring rich, dark wood, and a palette of colours including refreshing light green, pale purple and yellow scheme, which evoke a sense of calm and tranquility. The style overall is ultra modern with sleek, clean lines, with lovely touches including fresh flowers at reception and in the treatment rooms. It's both relaxing and uplifting just to arrive.

The Treatment:

Meaning "life spa", Vie Spa has a fresh approach to spa indulgences, offering a combination of treatments which can be enjoyed at all of the spas, with tailored treatments for each spa to call their own. Alongside the spas’ existing Pevonia product range, they also feature award-winning iKOU products, which are Australian made using Australian produce. Treatments include a 90-minute hot stone healing and foot renewal treatment, a native clay hot oil body treatment, a blue cypress scrub, sea kelp and Indigenous clay wrap, and Italian orange and jojoba body scrub. The treatment selected for me was a 100 minute White Flannel Flower spa ritual, combining several body treatments with an indulgent facial. Australian White Flannel flowers are part of a group of flannel flowers, iconic shrubs which native to bushland around Sydney, with the flower itself resembling a daisy. This treatment is designed to promote deep relaxation, and it begins with an invigorating body polish using an Organic Coconut and Jasmine scrub. While gentle, it sloughs off dead cells leaving my skin feeling smooth and polished. After showering off, next comes a key part of the body treatment; being indulgently enveloped in a Wild Yam and White Flannel Flower cocoon, which is ultimately hydrating for thirsty skin. While my body skin is soaking up the goodness of the cocoon, my therapist went to work on my complexion with a Neroli and Rosehip Facial Massage, which stimulates the circulation and plumps up the skin, followed by a Recovery Face Mask to remove toxins and promote skin radiance. Next comes more attention for the body; a massage, concentrating on any areas which need more intensive work, and a divine Organic Tangerine and Jasmine Blossom Body Soufflé is melted into the skin. The 100 minutes ends all too quickly, with a Vanilla-infused Oil Foot Restoration Massage. I am ready to go, although I find it hard to get off the massage table. An Organic IKOU infusion is waiting for me in the relaxation area, however, to slowly bring me back into the real world.

The Verdict:

From the contemporary colour scheme to the impressive lineup of treatments on offer, and quality therapists using luxury spa products, it's an ideal way to wile away a few hours during a romantic getaway on the Central Coast. Spa rituals are also a favourite, as they encompass the entire body and face, and nourish both body and soul.