After enduring more than 20 hours on multiple flights and at airport gates waiting for delayed connections, my skin showed the ravaging signs of spending far too much time enveloped by recycled air. By the time I landed in Macao I looked like I had aged 10 years, my skin dull and dried out, while my sleep-deprived eyes drooped under the weight of heavy bags.

Though I was exploring Macao on a work trip, I scheduled time for a rejuvenating facial at Le SPA’tique at The Parisian Macao, set along Macao’s strip of casino hotels and resorts, its half-scale authentic recreation of the Eiffel Tower soaring above. The resort, opened in 2016, is part of the Sands Resorts Macao set of integrated resort properties in Macao. The following year, the spa won top honors as Luxury Emerging Spa, Country Category, at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards.

With a nod to La Belle Époque (“the beautiful era”) of Paris in the 1800s, SPA’tique drips with elegance in its royal purples and golds. On my visit, the décor — infused with modern Chinese touches such as antique copper — set a calming tone as I started to decompress from the stress of long-haul travel.

© Le SPA’tique

The spa, which features 12 treatment rooms, including four double and eight single rooms, also provides a full-service hair salon and two dedicated manicure/pedicure chairs which offer a massage during the treatments. Among the retail options are shelves with Paul Mitchell and John Masters Organics haircare products, and O.P.I. and Margaret Dabbs nail care products.

As a prelude to treatments, Le SPA’tique’s Vitality Lounge welcomes guests with a sauna, steam room, vitality pool, relaxation lounges and experience showers. The showers are not to be missed, with four different modes, including Tropical Rain and Caribbean Storm, each lasting about five minutes and replete with accompanying sound effects.

My detox facial treatment, now named the Spiruline Boost Brightening Facial, is a 60-minute revitalizing treatment dedicated to reviving dull and tired skin … exactly what mine craved. The facial uses Thalgo skincare products, developed by pioneers in marine scientific research. Thalgo products are composed of more than 70 percent algae in a variety of forms — algae oils, powdered algae, algae macerate — along with other marine ingredients such as sea water and maritime plants, including samphire and shrubby everlasting. The active ingredients range from marine calcium to marine silicon and zinc.

Thalgo focuses on regenerating the skin dermis and firming up the skin, deploying marine serums and concentrates to smooth wrinkles and boost radiance.

The first step was cleansing and exfoliating my skin, followed by acupressure and a facial modeling massage using Thalgo’s Oligo-Marine Modelling Cream to help lift my tired skin and increase circulation. I also was fitted with a detoxifying smoothing mask to clear my clogged pores. Other products used included Thalgo’s anti-fatigue eye care and an energizing gel cream to give my skin a boost. I came out glowing.

If I had more time, the ultimate experience at Le SPA’tique is the 2.5-hour Ritual Detox, which includes a 30-minute body polish, 60-minute deep tissue massage and 60-minute facial. The journey begins with a full-body exfoliation to prepare the skin for the deep tissue massage using an antioxidant-rich oil. The facial deeply cleanses to remove impurities and leaves skin clear.

© Le SPA’tique

The Zents Body Polish features organic shea butter to promote elasticity and protect against age spots and sun damage. It also helps slough off dead skin using fine sugar and salt granules, which also promote circulation. The sugar granules act as a natural humectant, drawing moisture to the skin. Another ingredient, coconut oil, is used as a natural moisturizer that absorbs well to prevent dry skin.

The massage combines Swedish massage and acupressure, while the Purete Marine Purifying Facial tops off the experience, also using energizing acupressure and an Oligo-Marine mask to draw out toxins and impurities.

Other tempting signature treatments include the 90-minute Le SPA’tique Aroma-sence, which blends Asian and European massage techniques, including long Balinese-style strokes targeting energy flow and circulation, and the deep-tissue style focusing on sore muscles.

The two-hour Ritual Vitalite treatment combines a 90-minute massage using lime and oolong tea oil for energy followed by a refreshing 30-minute facial. Based on my own hour of bliss, the extended treatments and spa offerings serve as a perfect entrée to Macao’s full repertoire of upscale entertainment and all-out indulgence.

LE SPA’TIQUE
The Parisian Macao
Estrada do Istmo, Lote 3
Cotai Strip, Macao SAR
People’s Republic of China
tel 853 8111 1221