[PHOTOS] This Is What Malaysia's First Onsen Spa Looks Like
Much cheaper than a flight ticket to Japan.
Award-winning spa Urban Retreat recently opened Malaysia's first onsen spa in the quaint neighbourhood of Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
Urban Retreat Onsen Spa is a day spa that combines "authentic traditional Japanese Onsen culture with traditional body therapies".
The spa had its soft launch in February 2019, and its official launch in June 2019.
From the moment you walk in, one can already feel the cosy and chill vibe
It pretty much looks like what you would expect a Japanese-inspired spa to look like.
You'll find a lot of wood furniture pieces, complemented with other natural materials such as stone. The atmosphere is complete with soft lighting and ambient music.
As the name suggests, the spa's must-try service is its onsen bath, which leaves you feeling fresh and rejuvenated after
No need to fear stripping down in front of strangers, as Urban Retreat offers single-person onsen bath tubs in private rooms. More than just onsen baths, Urban Retreat has a whole 'menu' of relaxations services that include massages and full body scrubs Their full list of services include: What we loved most about the experience was how every detail could be personalised — even down to the focal points of one's massage The staff will patiently guide you through the different options available to fully personalise your experience, by explaining the uses and intended effects of each onsen salt, body scrub, and massage oil. Speaking of massages: their massage beds are heated for that extra oomph If you're here as a pair, you can also choose to have your massage conducted together in a two-bed parlour. Lastly, the customer service is top-notch — you'll be treated to refreshing drinks and snacks in between services!
Women get a round onsen tub, while the men's version is similar to a typical bathtub.
According to Urban Retreat's website, the tubs are imported from Japan to ensure the "same experience as soaking in an authentic Onsen in Japan".-->
- Onsen Escape (RM149 for 60 minutes),
- Body Scrub and Wraps (RM209 for 60 minutes),
- Body Massages (from RM109 for 30mins), and
- Weekday Packages (from RM269 for two hours).
Find the full menu here.
For the onsen soak, there are three salts to choose from: kirei for beauty, iyashi for healing, and zen for calmness. Customers who are new to the onsen experience are encouraged to choose the 40ºC water temperature, though the more experienced ones can try the "pro-level" 42ºC.
If you're here for a body scrub: there are over seven different body scrubs available, all of which are rice-based. Among the scrubs available include Hinoki Mandarin Rice, charcoal, vanilla citrus, and walnut beranium.
Some of the massage rooms come with a shower, which helps if you're taking one of the multi-hour day packages that combine multiple services.
