Ancient tea rituals inspire treatment menu at new Anantara Spa at The PuLi, Shanghai
08 Jan 2010
At the Anantara Spa at The PuLi Hotel & Spa in Shanghai, guests will be able to choose from a range of treatments from China's healing past as well as the very best that the 21st century has to offer.
The extensive menu draws on the detoxifying powers of Green Tea, the balancing force of White Tea, the health-giving properties of Chrysanthemum Tea and the beautifying spirit of Rose Tea.
All the different types of Tea, with their strong Qi - or life force - have the power to calm, stimulate, detoxify and heal but Green Tea, in particular, is renowned for its abundance of anti-oxidants. The three-hour Green Tea Purification Journey combines a series of therapies specially selected to revive and cleanse the body and mind. Green tea is incorporated into a bath ritual, scrub and wrap before the cleansing and relaxation journey is completed with a Swedish massage.
Made from new buds and very young, gently dried leaves, White Tea is rich in potent anti-oxidants that will purge the body and skin of contaminants and the mind of worldly cares. The White Tea Moisturiser Journey combines the natural powers of white tea with the moisturising properties of avocado and a volcanic stone exfoliator to leave the skin feeling supple, smooth and vibrant.
Roses have long been given to express love because they soothe the heart and make guests feel beautiful. It follows then that there is no better gift for the body, mind and spirit than beautifying rose tea. While clearing toxins and heat from the body and fighting infection, this natural elixir hydrates, relaxes, and soothes the skin back to its naturally beautiful appearance. The Rose Tea Beautification package includes a Rose Tea body polish and wrap followed by an aromatic massage and, of course, a soothing cup of hot Rose Tea.
Chrysanthemums have been used in Chinese medicine for many millennia - they were prized for their herbal uses long before they became popular as a floral decoration. Made from dried flowers, precious chrysanthemum infusions have a cooling and soothing effect and are highly effective when applied as a mask to reduce puffiness and redness around the eyes. The Chrysanthemum Tea Cleansing Journey harnesses the healing power of chrysanthemum tea and combines the exfoliating properties of pearl cream with traditional Thai massage to cleanse the skin and energise the body.
TEA FACTS
•· There are literally hundreds of different types of Green Tea. While they all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the characteristic of each tea is defined by the soil in which the plant is grown, the climate and even how the leaves are picked.
•· The only enduring passion in French Empress Marie Antoinette's life was for flowers and in particular the rose. It was the key ingredient of her favourite perfume and rose tea formed part of her beauty regime.
•· White Tea is made from the youngest buds, picked in the cold of early spring, before the leaf opens. The delicate buds then go through the minimum of processing to preserve the pure flavour.
•· Chrysanthemum tea is the ultimate tonic for those suffering from the stresses and strains of 21st Century life. Made from dried flowers, precious chrysanthemum infusions have a cooling and soothing effect and are used in formulas for sinus congestion, liver problems and high blood pressure.
Editors Note:
For hundreds of years throughout Thailand, people would leave a jar of water outside their house to provide refreshment and extend a welcome to the passing traveller. Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'without end', which symbolizes this sharing of water and heartfelt hospitality is at the core of the Anantara experience.
Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin and on Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, and in the Golden Triangle in the country's north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli are a 30-minute boat ride from the capital Male. Anantara Seminyak debuted in April 2008 in the most fashionable district of Bali - the Island of the Gods. Late 2008 saw the opening of Anantara Phuket, situated in the serenity of Mai Khao Beach, Thailand, followed by Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, and Anantara Si Kao which lies on the secluded Changlang Beach area south of Krabi, Thailand. The newest member of the Anantara family opened its doors in April 2009, Anantara Baan Rajprasong in Bangkok is the first serviced suites property for the Anantara group. http://www.anantara.com/
Anantara is a member of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel groups. GHA partner hotels are renowned for reflecting and respecting local traditions and culture through the their products and services www.globalhotelalliance.com
For media enquiries contact Anantara PR Office: Tel +66 2 725 6000 Ext 6212
Marion Walsh
Group Director of Public Relations
Email: mwalsh@anantara.com