Spa of the month - August 2014

SPA

OF THE MONTH

CITY MAN-SCAPE SIR SPA CHICAGO, IL

by Amanda Clinton Winter

IT IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPA GETAWAY —there are no tranquil forests or ponds in the vicinity. In fact, it is quite the contrary, it is right in the middle of the bustling city of Chicago.

Yet the locale stands out for its slick, simple and modern look among the neighboring buildings.

And once past the front door, guests find the serene, relaxing atmosphere and pampering they seek—that is Sir Spa, or as they like to tout themselves, “the ultimate Chicago spa for men.”

Up and running since 2006, Sir Spa is among the very few spas that cater specifically to the gents (although women will not be turned away).

It might seem like an odd or risky choice for some, yet men are increasingly going for spa services, as looking good and feeling good has come to be associated with professionalism.

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spa of the month | sir spa

For Sir Spa, the concept of an all guy locale works. “We really make it our business to ensure that all of our clients are comfortable and that every need is met,” says Thomas Hogan, Sir Spa supervisor. “We are generally booked all year long.”

In its less than 10 year tenure, Sir Spa has received many accolades from local and national media, and has been recognized in the past 4 years as one of the five top spas for men.

Among the many high-end luxury spas Chicago has to offer, Sir Spa is a unique retreat for men who want quality treatment in an environment they can relate to.

With dark rich woods, black leather seats and fire red walls, the spa reflects a simple yet modern and professional look that even the manliest of men can feel comfortable in.

Their menu is to the point, with words their male clientele can identify with, and other less appealing ones—some deemed to be turnoffs for men—banned from the spa’s vocabulary.

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spa of the month | sir spa After being greeted in the front lobby, guests are then taken to the locker room where robes, sandals and towels are provided. Rainforest-like showers, a steam room and an assortment of complimentary amenities are made available for guests as they await their treatments. And the pampering does not end there. Once their service has ended, guests are offered wine, beer and snacks of all kinds, because as the saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

With seven treatment rooms that offer anything from massages to facials, bodyworks, waxing, nail treatments and airbrush tanning, Sir Spa covers the essentials with a team of 13 massage therapists, five estheticians and two nail technicians.

Relax. Refuel. Renew.

The three simple words adorning the wall of the reception area seemingly say it all—that is what

men can expect to get when they come to Sir Spa. Their marketing technique follows along the line of Sir Spa’s philosophy—it is simple yet effective. When it comes to gathering new clients, Sir Spa focuses on the web and social media. But they have also found that being involved with the community helps spread the word about the spa.

Hogan says that the spa volunteers its services at some summer events and street festivals, leaving it to chance that recipients of these complimentary services will promote their treatments after getting a quick massage or other treat. “We strive to make the best first impression,” says Hogan. “We leave the rest to the excellent service that our clients receive when they are here.” Content with the feedback they receive and the treatments they offer, Sir Spa has only changed its menu twice since it opened.

“Pick the best and stick with it,” says Hogan.

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Their signature treatment is their 90 min SIR Customized Massage ($145), says Hogan.

Whether guests seek relief for overexerted muscles or simply want their mind and body to escape, Sir Spa’s massage therapist makes this personalized treatment all about a guest’s specific needs (the SIR Customized Massage is also available for 60/120 min, $100/$190).

As far as packages are concerned, Hogan says The Monarch trumps all. Guests get the full “royal” treatment with a 60 min SIR Customized Massage followed by a Fresh Face Treatment (a revitalizing facial that provides cleansing, toning, exfoliation and hydration for the skin) and a Hand and Foot Detail—Sir Spa’s idea of a mani-pedi (3 hr, $200).

Sir Spa also offers a Hot Stone Massage, where warm and smooth basalt stones help release muscle tension and stimulate circulation with the help of the therapist’s synchronized moves (75 min, $140). The Tune-Up Massage focuses on the back, neck and shoulders and is great for chronic pain (30 min, $60). Very affordable massage add-ons include Reflexology (15 min, $25) and Scalp Massage (15 min, $25).

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spa of the month | sir spa

Before getting a facial, guests can receive a complimentary Men’s Skin Assessment, where a Sir Spa skin care expert offers a skin evaluation and discusses ways to improve skin. Once that assessment is taken care of, guests can indulge in the SIR Customized Face Treatment, where the esthetician designs a facial based on the client’s needs. It includes a cleansing, exfoliation, customized mask and UV protection (60 min, $100).

The Age Recovery Face Treatment includes a microdermabrasion treatment enhanced with anti-aging products such as retinol, peptides and antioxidant rich serums to reveal healthier,

SIR SPA 5151 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640 773.272.7000 sirspa.com SIR SPA FACTS Opened: 2006 Owner: Vinod FACILITY: • Seven treatment rooms • 13 massage therapists • Five estheticians • Two nail technicians PRODUCT LINES USED AND RETAILED: MenScience, Jack Black, Art of Shaving, DS Laboratories, glö therapeutics, Yon-Ka SIGNATURE TREATMENT: SIR Customized Massage (60/90/120 min, $100/$145/$190) *The spa menu has changed twice since its inception.

renewed skin (75 min, $175). Clients can also go for the Refining Microdermabrasion Treatment (30 min, $125), or add a Chemical Peel ($50 upgrade), an Enzyme ($30 upgrade), or even Microdermabrasion ($65 upgrade) to their facial.

Their body treatments feature the SIR Scrub with a soothing lavender and mint salt scrub (45 min, $75); the Detoxifying Mud Wrap that includes a scalp and neck massage (60 min, $100); a Hydration Wrap, where after a light exfoliation the body is lathered in a moisturerich balm before ending with a hydration lotion (45 min, $75); and a Clarifying Back Treatment (back facial) to help clean, exfoliate and heal blemishes (45 min, $75).

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spa of the month | sir spa

The spa also offers Hand Detail ($20), Foot Detail ($40) and a Foot Recovery that includes a softening pedicure for additional exfoliation, a moisture infusing treatment mask and paraffin to nourish dehydrated feet (60 min, $65).

All kinds of waxing services are also available (including the SIR-zilian, $65), as well as hair and color services. Finally, their packages feature The Crown Jewels, their best of the best that includes a SIR Customized Massage, a SIR Scrub, Hydration Wrap, Age Recovery Face Treatment, Hand Detail and Foot Recovery.

Lunch is included as well (5 hr 30 min, $600).

And if relaxation means being close to one’s sweetheart, Sir Spa offers special couples packages (60/90 min, $175/$250), or their Couples Escape, a 1 hr SIR Customized Massage and SIR Customized Face Treatment topped off with sparkling wine and chocolates (2 hr, $340).

Prices are per couple.

Busy men need to be spoiled too. Leave it to Sir Spa to give them a slice of heaven right in the middle of the Windy City. n Amanda Clinton Winter is the managing editor of Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, and a master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Miami.

Contact her at amanda@LNEONLINE.com.

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photos courtesy of Sir Spa

Busy men need to be spoiled too.

Leave it to Sir Spa to give them a slice of heaven right in the middle of the Windy City.