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We all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while, and there’s nothing more indulgent and fulfilling than a spa day.

The benefits of setting aside ‘me time’ are huge. Not only do you get to de-stress and unwind, but science shows that it also offers a boost of serotonin and dopamine, which leads to increased happiness, focus, and motivation.

Spa days offer an oasis of comfort and relaxation, with the added benefit of radiant skin, pain-relief, reduced headaches, and more. What’s not to like?

Nestled away in a cozy corner of The Curve at Mutiara Damansara is Urban Retreat Spa.

Famed for their onsen spa that brings a part of Japanese culture to Malaysia, the luxurious spa has now launched a new pampering experience, aptly named Urban Journey.

Comprising three different packages at different price points, it provides an Aromatic Bath and Full Body Scrub, complete with a one-hour massage. We got to experience the treatment ourselves, and here’s everything you need to know.

It starts with a full body scrub.

Dimmed lighting, soothing music, and the gentle smells of incense surround you. Laying nude and tummy-down on a heated massage table, covered by the biggest, softest towel, the massage therapist will begin by gently applying the scrub on your legs, arms, and back.

They will then give you a thorough rub down, exfoliating your skin from your feet to your fingertips for an hour.

The scrub itself is quite coarse without being abrasive. If you’ve never had this treatment before, let me tell you, the feeling of someone scrubbing your entire body is immensely satisfying, especially when they get to difficult-to-reach areas, such as your back. Oof, it’s like scratching an itch you never knew you had.

Halfway through, they’ll ask you to flip over to your back so they can scrub the front of your legs and arms, stomach, chest, and neck area. With a warm, scented towel covering your eyes, you’re left to relax while they prepare the aromatic bath.

The piping hot milk bath topped with rose petals will melt away every problem you have.

You’re given 15 minutes to soak in the tub alone. You can lie back and relax in the bubbles, while sipping on hot ginger tea (which is legit the most delicious ginger tea I have ever had, and I don’t even like ginger) or a bottle of mineral water.

Once you’re ready, you move out from the tub and into the attached shower room to rinse off. Your skin will already be feeling oh-so-supple and silky smooth by this point.

That brings us to the one-hour aromatherapy massage.

Back on the heated table, you’ll be spoiled and pampered by the massage therapist. From gently cracking your spine to deep pressure on your muscles, it’s intensely relaxing. So relaxing, in fact, that I fell asleep once she reached my back and was working out the knots at my shoulder area.

Another flip to the front as the massage continues, followed by bittersweet sadness when the massage therapist gently informs you that the hour is up and the experience is over.

I walked out of the spa feeling so relaxed and satisfied, both physically and mentally. Plus, my skin was so soft and dewy.

As a long-time eczema sufferer, I was initially worried the treatment might trigger a flare-up, but nothing of the sort happened to me.

The three sessions — body scrub, bath, and massage — were all done in a large private room, so you don’t have to worry about other customers at all. The room is designed for two, with two massage beds and two separate bathtubs, making it an ideal place for both a romantic date with a partner or a fun treat for besties.

In total, we spent around two and a half hours getting pampered, and it was worth every penny.

Aside from the Urban Journey package, Urban Retreat Spa also provides a variety of massages including sport, deep tissue, Thai fusion yoga, pregnancy, and more. Prices range from RM89 for a one-hour foot massage, to RM329 for the Urban Journey. Do note prices differ on weekdays and weekends.

Urban Spa Retreat has four branches in Malaysia:

1. The Curve, Mutiara Damansara
2. KL East Mall, Kuala Lumpur
3. 163 Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
4. 1 Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur