Spas are an inevitable feature of fine hotels these days. No longer content with a comfortable bed and a massage, discerning travelers the world over want more from their accommodation. Much more. And so, it was with absolute delight that I recently experienced the Malo Spa at the Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon.
Sweeping marble floors, elegant outdoor dining terraces and velvet seating abound in the Corinthia, though the heart within Lisbon’s business district, is the 3000 square metres of spa heaven on the second floor of the hotel. Those with a strict adherence to holistic treatments will be impossibly impressed with the endless equipment that fills each treatment room (though a classic Ayurvedic massage is of course on offer). Founded by dental King Dr. Paulo Malo (the man responsible for pioneering modern dental implants) the Malo Spa is an extension of his belief in “medical spas.” As a result, his marriage of both medical and aesthetic ‘health and wellness’ offers everything from face radiofrequency treatment to Botox, a classic Clarins facial to manicures and pedicures: this is literally the place to have a head-to-toe make over from inside and out; the extent to which you make over, of course, depends on you. Though not quite interested in surgery or injections just yet, I was fascinated at the way such treatments are offered in the most luxurious and tranquil of spaces, with expert medical staff on hand when needed. It is easy to see why Dr. Malo’s spas and clinics are dominating the way they do (his largest is the biggest in the world, set within the four walls of Macao’s Venetian Hotel). His firm belief that spas should offer “more than just silly oils” will appeal to those wanting sumptuous surroundings in which to relax and rejuvenate after treatments, though those wanting a good old fashioned massage won‘t leave disappointed.
Viktor, a gorgeous-looking therapist, gave me an award-winning massage, though the real highlight had to be a capsule massage which incorporated water jets pulsing my whole body on a vibrating plate. Futuristic it may sound and initially intimidating it certainly was, but the effects were incredible. I felt utterly relaxed, my skin more supple, and the heady aroma of lemon oil refreshed me completely. Unlike so many wellness spas, the Malo offers delicious food and wine at any time of day and has all the essentials of a slick gym and sleek swimming pool. The sheer size of the spa places it in a league of its own (none of those claustrophobia inducing, terribly narrow treatment rooms) as does the range of services.
After hours of treatments, I felt one more would transfigure me from relaxed to comatose. As such, I floated into the lift, sailed up to my suite on the 23rd floor, and collapsed into a warm bath in my divine room. Water filled the deep ceramic tub in less than four minutes, a firm nod to the efficiency and luxury of the Corinthia. Lisbon called my name from outside the room so I willed myself to get ready for dinner. I headed out to the recently renovated, utterly fabulous restaurants of the city’s dock area, but inside, all I could think about was getting back later and crawling into that seductive bed to thoroughly enjoy my newly found state of Nirvana.
Av. Dos Combatentes, 43
1600-042 Lisboa
