Spa sans stranger’s touch? Relaxation meets privacy at Wynn Palace’s touchless spa

Jul 25, 2024

Cover Vibration and sound therapy at Wynn Palace, Macau is one of the hotel’s new touchless spa offerings (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

Vibration and sound therapy at Wynn Palace, Macau is one of the hotel’s new touchless spa offerings (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

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From float therapy to red light therapy, Tatler tries out the new touchless spa at Wynn Palace to see if it’s as relaxing as a good ol’ massage

We all had that awkward moment of laying bare on a massage bed in front of a stranger, or that struggle of looking for the perfect masseur who applies the right force. Wynn Palace’s new touchless spa might be the solution for those looking for stress relief sans a stranger’s touch.

A recent addition to the hotel’s wellness centre The Spa, the four touchless spa options include float therapy, where one can float free in a tank filled with concentrated Epsom salt water; red light therapy, where a controlled amount of red and near-infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) penetrate the body from head to toe; vibration and sound therapy, which applies a kind of acoustic technology that trains the brain to experience deep relaxation by using sonic and vibrational techniques; and cryotherapy, where one enters a minus 85 degree Celsius chamber for three minutes.

We tried 20 minutes of float therapy and eight minutes of red light therapy. Here’s how it went.

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Above The Spa (Photo: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

The Spa (Photo: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

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Warm welcome

The Spa’s spacious reception comes with an impressive range of wellness facilities, including a jacuzzi, a cold pool, heated loungers, a dry sauna and a steam sauna. The lighting was softer and dimmer than the hotel area outside, so when I arrived, I immediately felt myself quieting down from the hectic journey to the hotel.

The staff greeted me with warm tea and explained the benefits of touchless spa. She also made sure to check my health and body conditions, such as skin or heart diseases or injuries, to avoid unnecessary risks from the treatments.

As I had a packed schedule for the day, the staff was thoughtful in planning my spa experience in detail: she listed out the duration of each trial clearly and budgeted in time for my post-spa shower and make-up. Her clear planning made what could have been a hectic trial stress-free.

I was led through a warmly lit China royal residences-inspired corridor, decorated with lion statues on both sides and a peacock sculpture at the far end, to a private suite for a shower before the float therapy.

The spa suite comes with a traditional massage room, a bathtub for those who prefer a lavender- or rose-scented bath before their treatments, a shower room and a resting area with a couch, lifestyle magazines, a dressing area with skincare products, warm rose tea and nuts and cookies.

For those who forget to bring a swimsuit to the float therapy, fret not, the spa room also has disposable underwear—available both in thongs and pants style—ready.

Photo 1 of 2 The Spa’s jacuzzi (Image: courtesy of Wynn Palace)

Photo 2 of 2 The Spa’s suite (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

The Spa’s jacuzzi (Image: courtesy of Wynn Palace)

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What sets it apart

Most of these technology-based touchless spa options have a much shorter duration than traditional spas, which is an alternative for busy urban dwellers seeking a brief moment of relaxation. They also offer more privacy.

Photo 1 of 2 Cryotherapy at The Spa (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

Photo 2 of 2 Float therapy (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

Cryotherapy at The Spa (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

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On to the treatment

Float therapy

This treatment lets the guest float freely in a tank filled with highly concentrated Epsom salt water at skin temperature; as well as the salt’s property of reducing muscle soreness, the experience of floating also enhances relaxation.

Entering the pod and balancing on the water can be a little intimidating and claustrophobia-inducing. However, the staff was helpful and gentle as she instructed me step by step to sit down before lying down while she slid a floating ring to support my neck.

Before she closed the pod, she also informed me that she would stay for another minute in case I had any issues, which was reassuring. Guests can also choose to go into the pod without assistance for more privacy. A bottle of clean water and a towel were available inside the pod in case salt got into my eyes.

There were different lighting options inside the pod—I chose dark blue. One can also switch off all lights for a pitch-dark experience.

The music, which the staff claimed to be Irish wind folk music, was a little loud and wasn’t entirely conducive to a relaxing experience. My neck also strained slightly in the first few minutes when I was adjusting to the floating. But when the music softened and gradually ended, I was completely at ease. I also felt that my skin was suppler afterwards.

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Above Float therapy (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

Above Float therapy (Image: courtesy of (Image: courtesy of Barbara Kraft))

Float therapy (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

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Red light therapy

Here, one can lie in a chamber that blasts more than 14,000 red and near-infrared LEDs through the body as a non-invasive approach to improve mitochondrial function. Guests can choose different settings based on needs: easing arthritis and joint pain, reducing chronic pain, healing wounds, alleviating skin conditions or assisting in anti-ageing and weight loss.

I chose a setting that promised to bring relief from muscle pain. The staff helped me enter the machine which has a narrow opening. While the panel I lay on was hard and cool, it didn’t cause any discomfort. I was offered either a scented eye patch or goggles to protect my eyes from the red light; I picked the former. When the machine started running, it did make a noise like a hairdryer, but I wasn’t particularly disturbed by the noise. They do offer earplugs to those who are sensitive to sounds.

At eight minutes, my trial was too short for any palpable effects, but the staff did recommend doing this treatment a few times per week to see results.

Above Red light therapy (Photo: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

Red light therapy (Photo: courtesy of Barbara Kraft)

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Final thoughts

I was led back to the private suite and was served a fruit plate. Kept warm by the candle, my tea was still comfortably warm when I returned.

The Spa has nailed the balance between enhancing guests’ privacy and offering assistance and reassurance when needed—it also helped when the staff spoke softly which made me relaxed.

These spa options are a good alternative for those looking for a brief moment of rejuvenation on a workday. But for those who can afford the time, why not go for a combo like I did?

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Topics

Touchless spa Wynn Palace Float therapy Red light therapy Cryotherapy

Tatler Asia

Spa sans stranger’s touch? Relaxation meets privacy at Wynn Palace’s touchless spa

Warm welcome

What sets it apart

On to the treatment

Float therapy

Final thoughts