ANYONE who has ever driven down Mount Pleasant Road will know what a lovely, tree-lined stretch it is. But few will have reason to actually stop in the vicinity other than the lucky ones living in the black-and-white bungalows there or visitors to the Singapore Polo Club. Now, you can add spa goers to the list.
Lush, which opened in late February in a new wing at the Polo Club, is one great excuse for driving into Mount Pleasant Road and not coming out for a few hours.
Operated by Lynette Loh and Sandra Lim, the folks behind mobile massage service Massage at Work, it's a small but intimate spa with a lovely setting as its trump card.
Quietness and lush greenery surround the 1,550 sq ft spa, and depending on which room you're in, there's also the occasional view of handsome horses trotting by. It's definitely a nice change from the hotel or shopping mall-sited spa, where the mere thought of jostling with crowds before or after a treatment is enough to render the treatment itself ineffective.
'It took us a few years to find this spot,' says Ms Lim. 'There's lots of parking and greenery, and it's easily accessible at the same time.'
While the spa is small, its six suites are of a decent size and each has its own steam and shower facilities, so customers enjoy more privacy without the need to move from room to room for different treatments.
Lush's intimate space also makes you feel more at home - it has none of that cavernous feeling you get in bigger establishments or the brisk, business-like way in which your treatment is delivered.
The menu is refreshingly uncomplicated - there are only six types of massages (one of which is a foot massage) and one type of scrub and wrap each - so you focus on getting what you feel like on your visit, rather than fret over which exotic treatment to have. Lush is probably the only spa here to offer an equestrian deep-tissue massage to deal with the ache in the back, butt, thighs, calves and heels that riders face. Apparently, this is also popular with sporty folks in general.
And of course, it helps that Ms Loh and Ms Lim personally attend to customers. There's also no hard sell, which is very important. 'For us, it's more about service and quality of massages,' they say.
That was certainly true of Audrey, the therapist assigned to me. Young, perky and well-spoken, she had the right touch - a good pair of hands with an assured touch. Based on the information I provided on a form before the massage, she knew I preferred light pressure and a focus on the neck, shoulder and back. So after a floral footbath, she confidently delivered a Lush Signature massage ($155 for 90 minutes), which is meant to relieve fatigue, anxiety and tension and promote restful sleep.
It uses the long strokes of a Swedish massage as a base, but is customised based on the individual's preferences and needs. So if a particular area is sore, more attention will be paid to relieving the knots using acupressure.
Don't be surprised if you fall asleep and wake up wishing the massage wasn't over. But it doesn't have to be. Lush also provides nail services by appointment, and while you can probably get better manicures outside, the sweet and pretty nail technician doesn't disappoint. In addition to massages and nail services, Lush offers facial treatments using aroma skin care brand Decleor, which cost $130 to $150 for 90 minutes. The spa is also open to private spa parties, but either way, this lush getaway sure hits the spot.
