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salon spy
The relaxing Spa reception.
name: Bali Health Lounge
where: 1st Floor, 48 George Street, Manchester, M1 4HF t: 0161 850 2288 e: booking@balihealthlounge.com w: www.balihealthlounge.com
manager: Stephanie Duchak and Zsu Szelle
brands used: Elemis, Lycon Wax, CND™, Bali Health Lounge
signature treatments: Signature Deep Tissue Massage and Signature Swedish Relaxing Massage
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Just 15 minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station and in the midst of the city’s Chinatown district sits Bali Health Lounge – a place of serenity amongst the hustle and bustle of city life. As you walk up the staircase to the first floor entrance and pass through the glass door, you are greeted by an expanse of beautiful floral trees and garden furniture – bringing the outside in and transporting you away to a relaxing paradise on Bali shores. The Spa originally opened its doors in August 2011. Privately owned by family, it now treats approximately 200 clients a week by any one of the business’ 20 staff members. Salon Spy spoke with James Pitayanukul, Director at Bali Health Lounge, to discuss how the Spa has grown over recent years and what makes it so successful…
How did you come to open your Spa? “We recognised that the UK lacked a reputable and trusted brand that offers high quality treatments at affordable prices in a serene and ambient environment. We also recognised that the culture and providers of expert massage and facial therapy in Asia meant that people could truly experience the benefits of the treatment as part of their lifestyle, therefore we wanted to bring a way that people in the UK could also do this.” How important was choosing the right location for your Spa? “Convenience was key, therefore we wanted to choose a central location that people could easily get to. Being located so centrally with great transport access has meant people can come in after work, after a shopping trip or to travel in from the suburbs and park right outside!” What is the ethos of your Spa? “Life is stressful. To help manage stress, we propose a healthier lifestyle, consisting of regular massage treatments. This is an East Asian philosophy which
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has existed for thousands of years, from when the earliest known physicians used massage in medical practice. Today, this is supported by modern scientific studies that confirm the numerous physical and emotional benefits massage delivers. Therefore, we see massage as a way of living which will result in less stress, more relaxation and lasting wellness.” What makes your Spa unique? “Bali Health Lounge is unique due to its emphasis on delivering the highest quality treatments possible, in a calm and serene setting combined with our membership pricing structure which we were the first to launch in the UK. “We achieve the highest quality treatments through our ongoing commitment to training for therapists. We have three key in-house training initiatives, led by our Head Therapist Zsu Szelle, in place to ensure our treatments deliver the results that our clients are looking for. “Our membership allows people to experience monthly treatments at affordable prices. From just £43 per month (which includes a 60-minute treatment, usually £65 for non-members), clients get not just savings but additional value through perks such as discounted products, sharing of treatments with friends/family, subscription to the Bali Health Lounge Magazine, exclusive offers with local partner businesses and special member events.” What is important to you when choosing a product range? “When considering product range, we consider the quality of the products, the level of training and support provided by the brand and whether the ethos of the brand would complement our philosophy. It is important that our clients recognise that the brands used at Bali Health Lounge means they are selecting only the best.”
What made you decide to introduce Elemis treatments to your menu? “There were a lot of product brands to choose from when we made our choice, but ultimately Elemis were the brand that fulfilled all our aforementioned objectives. Their naturally sourced products that are underpinned by science, all ultimately help clients live a better life, resonated well with us. And on top of that, we are also happy with supporting a British brand.” Do you have any future plans for expanding the business? “Having been around for about five years, we are feeling more comfortable in the industry and are looking to expand the business into new locations. Although I can’t say where just yet!” What are your key achievements as a Spa Owner? “Over the past 24 months, key achievements include launching our membership programme, getting a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for three years in a row and winning awards at English Hair and Beauty two years in a row. “We are also proud that our expertise has attracted high profile individuals such as Jade Jones MBE (London 2012 Taekwondo Gold Medallist and favourite for Rio 2016) who has joined as a member and is an advocate for quality treatments at affordable membership prices.” What is best piece of advice you have been given for running a successful Spa? “If you look after your therapists, your therapists will look after your customers and your customers will look after you and your business.”
The Spa is located on the rooms. One of the Spa’s treatment
first floor.
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treatment review:
Greeted by my therapist Laura, I was guided up the stairs to the third floor of the Spa and along the dimly-lit corridor to my treatment room. Sliding back the door, the room’s beautiful décor was revealed to me – dark walls, a thin Asian-style couch sarong covering the bed, wicker furniture and a delicately painted ceiling detailing a boat floating on a lake. I took a seat on the chair provided as Laura talked me through my Signature Deep Tissue Massage. As I laid down ready for my treatment, the first thing I noticed was the warmth underneath me from the heated couch, followed by the fresh scent of the towels – both of these little touches made the treatment so much more enjoyable. Relaxing and unwinding, my massage began. Laura placed a bolster cushion underneath my ankles, informing me that this would help take some of the pressure off my lower back. Then, using warm towels she cleansed my feet, pressing them gently downwards into the bed, sinking me deeper into relaxation. Working on my back, she applied the Elemis Muscleanse Active Body Oil, perfect for easing muscle and joint pain, in long strokes down the centre of my spine using her palms and forearms. She worked on each side in turn, pulling my body from opposite sides before weaving up and down my skin with her fingers, then using her elbow on my lower back to press outwards towards the hips in a three point motion. Varying in speed and pressure, Laura focused attention on my shoulders – an area I had already expressed tension with during my consultation – working deep into the muscle with her fingers. She also used her fingers and palms, pushing under my shoulder blade, before working over the knots on top of my shoulders. Cushions were then placed under each shoulder for comfort. On the back of my leg, oil was smoothed over the skin before she used her forearms and palms to massage each section in turn, using rolling, stretching and swishing motions. A series of three point stretches were also carried out, flattening my leg onto my back in pressure movements. Laying face up, Laura worked on my feet, pressing on pressure points, bending the foot back and pulling the leg downwards to stretch and relax the muscles. To finalise the treatment, my arms were massaged using long strokes. This was followed by a final shoulder, neck and head massage. As her fingers moved up my neck, she held my head at the base and pulled upwards lightly three times before moving back down over the shoulders to conclude the massage. I was then guided back to the Spa reception where I was offered specially brewed tea and a chance to unwind further.
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