Listed service times throughout the spa menu are approximate and include consultation with the practitioner, as well as treatment time. There is a specific amount of time built in to each service to allow for the consultation, as well as for customisation of the service using products that are most appropriate for each client at that time. The booking time also allows for the amount of time it takes to get into the spa bed, and get up afterwards.
Our qualified practitioners are certified in their particular area of expertise.
To enhance the relaxing nature of our spa packages, you remain in the same treatment room for the duration of your package. Please note that when two or more services are combined into a package, each individual service can often be accomplished in a shorter time period because less consultation and time for activities such as disrobing or switching treatment rooms is required. Therefore, if you have booked a package that combines two or more one-hour services, it may take less time than if you had booked each service individually. For that reason the length of time listed for each spa package is approximate. Rest assured that you are still receiving the full experience of each individual service.
24 hours notice is required if you must cancel or rebook a .5 hour or 1 hour spa service. 48 hours notice is needed for bookings that exceed 1 hour.
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for services in order to check in, arrange payment and unwind with a cup of tea. Arriving late will shorten your service time. The practitioner will do his or her best to ensure that you receive the most out of the shortened service. In consideration of all clients, your service will end at the scheduled time.
As most appointments exceed the time allowed by parking meters, we recommend the use of parkades and provide First Hour Free vouchers for City of Victoria parkades. There is a City of Victoria parkade located on Fisgard St. between Douglas St. and Government St., as well as two parking lots on Fisgard St. between Government St. and Store St. Make sure to leave yourself enough time to find parking.
To maintain the serenity of the spa and to enhance your own relaxation, we ask that cell phones, watch alarms and pagers are turned off.
Please be aware that we cannot accommodate infants and children.
We do not provide snacks or offer meals, and would appreciate it if you did not bring food into the spa.
GST and gratuities are not included in the price of services. GST is 5%, and tips (although optional) generally range from 10%-20% of the price of the service provided.
before a treatment
If possible, enjoy a relaxing bath or shower at home first. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive,
find parking, check in and have a cup of tea.
Avoid heavy meals before a treatment. Eat a light snack and drink fluids, especially if you are
coming in for a spa wrap.
It is best to avoid waxing or shaving 24 hours prior to a spa scrub or spa wrap.
after a treatment
If essential oils and masks have been applied to the body, try to wait at least two hours after the service before showering, thus ensuring maximum benefit of the treatment. Drink plenty of fluids afterwards, preferably water or tea, to aid elimination of toxins and to re-hydrate the body.
consultations with the practitioner
Every service involves a short consultation with your practitioner in order to tailor the service according to your needs and preferences, and to determine which products will be used in the service. Feel free to let your practitioner know what your expectations are and whether or not you have any concerns regarding the products or service. Your practitioner will check in with you periodically throughout the service to make sure that you are comfortable. We encourage you to relax and enjoy the quiet, peaceful tranquility of the spa.
allergies and health conditions
Please inform us in advance of your service if you have severe allergies or any serious medical conditions (such as circulatory problems, heart or kidney disease), or if you are undergoing chemotherapy. We will do our best to accommodate you; however, certain services may not be suitable given your health condition. Although we do not add nuts or wheat to any of our products, we cannot guarantee that our products do not contain trace amounts of nuts and wheat because of the equipment used in the manufacturing process.
Although our spa wraps are warming, hydrating and detoxifying, they are not like traditional wraps in the sense that the body is kept in the wrap at high temperatures for a long period of time. We do not recommend wraps for individuals who are pregnant, have high blood pressure and/or heart conditions, are diabetic, have a history of fainting, or have a history of medical conditions. Please be aware that clients who are experiencing menopause or PMS may be more sensitive to the hot towels. Wraps are best avoided on days of heavier menstrual flow.
pregnant women
We recommend the following services for expecting mothers:
> spa facials
> manicures
> pedicures
> foot massages
We do not recommend spa packages longer than two hours because it may not be comfortable for you to remain lying down for a prolonged period. We do not recommend spa wraps or spa scrubs because of their stimulating nature. Always check with your doctor or midwife before booking in for a service.
spa facials
Removing make-up prior to your facial is optional, but it allows us to spend more time nurturing you and your skin.
Removing contact lenses before a facial is also optional, but doing so will ensure a more comfortable experience. We do not provide a saline solution or cases, so please make sure to bring your own.
Our facials are soothing compared to typical facials and we do not do extractions. Expect to emerge completely relaxed and with glowing skin.
We remain firm in our no-extractions policy. Extractions can be uncomfortable at the time they are performed, and can leave your skin looking red and feeling irritated for up to 2 days. When performing extractions, there is also the risk of spreading acne, as bacteria and infection can travel under the surface of the skin even when there is no visible eruption. Other side effects of extractions include dryness, sensitivity, small scabs, flaking, dark spots and scarring. If you would like to have extractions done, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist.
For best results, it is recommended that you avoid applying make-up 24 hours after a facial (the application of make-up may clog pores or cause skin reactions). We also recommend booking facials a few days in advance of important events.
manicures and pedicures
The mandarin manicure and palace pedicure are excellent for both men and women.
These services are polish free and we recommend that you remove polish before your
service. We do not apply acrylic nails and ask that you remove them prior to your service.
Both services include a consultation with the esthetician. This assessment will help
determine what can be accomplished during the service. For example, if you would
like extra nail shaping in the manicure, the massage portion of the service may be
shortened to accommodate your request. These services are flexible and your
practitioner
will do his or her best to meet and exceed your expectations in the allotted time.
Natural manicures and pedicures have long lasting effects and improve the health of your nails, cuticles and skin. The mandarin manicure and palace pedicure are healthy alternatives to nail services that involve solvents, polishes and other chemicals. In fact, polishes and/or removers are contraindicated for those with eggshell nails, nails that are shrinking or losing shine, split or brittle nails, and inward curved nails. Individuals with these conditions would benefit from the buffing and cuticle oil treatments that are part of the silk road manicures and pedicures.
The nail polish from a manicure typically lasts 3 or 4 days; whereas, the natural shine obtained from buffing lasts approximately 10 days. Buffing smoothes out ridges and imperfections, resulting in shiny nails that look as though a clear coat of polish has been applied. Buffing also encourages nail growth and improves the health of the nails by increasing circulation to the nail bed.
Monthly natural manicures also discourage nail biting and help prevent both hangnails and ingrown nails.
Our manicure and pedicure services are unique in that we perform them while you are resting comfortably on a spa bed. If you’re coming in solely for a manicure, pedicure, you’ll remain clothed. For pedicures, it’s best to wear loose fitting pants that will roll up to the knee. There is also a hand and arm massage component to the manicure, so remember to wear a shirt that rolls up to the elbow.
Please be aware that we cannot work on feet with advanced cases of fungus (i.e. where there is inflammation present) and we recommend that individuals with open sores, cuts or abrasions, athlete’s foot, cracked or infected skin, delicate or thin skin, or infected cuticles see a qualified medical practitioner and wait until the condition has healed before booking an appointment for a pedicure. It is recommended that individuals with severe calluses see a podiatrist.
spa massages
Spa massages are performed by qualified, licensed practitioners who have been trained in a variety of modalities. Our spa massage is a relaxing massage that incorporates lymphatic drainage techniques with Swedish style massage. We can tailor the service according to your preferences in terms of pressure and massage oil used. If you prefer a certain type of massage, call us for a list of our current offerings.
back scrubs & spa scrubs
It is best to avoid waxing or shaving 24 hours prior to a back scrub or spa scrub. We do not recommend scrubs for pregnant woman because of their stimulating nature. We also do not recommend scrubs for individuals with eczema or psoriasis.
spa wraps
It is best to avoid waxing or shaving 24 hours prior to a spa wrap.
For spa wraps, we recommend undressing completely. You will be covered by a sheet at all times. You will also be wrapped in a fragrant cocoon of hot towels infused with sea and mineral salts and green tea. If you would prefer to wear underwear, we suggest bringing a spare pair with you to change into after the service.
Although our spa wraps are warming, hydrating and detoxifying, they are not like traditional wraps in the sense that the body is kept in the wrap at high temperatures for a long period of time. We do not recommend wraps for individuals who are pregnant, have high blood pressure and/or heart conditions, are diabetic, have a history of fainting, or have a history of medical conditions. Please be aware that clients who are experiencing menopause or PMS may be more sensitive to the hot towels. Wraps are best avoided on days of heavier menstrual flow.
We do not recommend spa wraps for pregnant woman because of their stimulating nature. We also do not recommend wraps for individuals with eczema or psoriasis, as there is exfoliation included with the spa wrap.
services for men
All of our services are designed for both men and women, including the manicure and pedicure. There is one facial, in particular, that is specifically for men. The imperial dragon facial is a rehydrating, rejuvenating, stress-relieving facial that purifies, revitalises and renews the complexion. Marine extracts help reduce ingrown hairs and soothe irritation caused by shaving. The imperial dragon is available as a 1 hr or 1.5 hr service.
what to wear
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
If you’re coming in for a manicure, pedicure or double happiness, you’ll remain clothed. For pedicures and the double happiness, it’s best to wear loose fitting pants that will roll up to the knee. There is also a hand and arm massage component to the manicure and double happiness, so remember to wear a shirt that rolls up to the elbow.
For spa massages, you may wear whatever makes you comfortable; however, we recommend undressing to at least your underwear. You’ll be covered by a sheet and blanket at all times, with only the area being worked on exposed. The beds are warm and cozy, ensuring a high level of comfort.
For spa wraps, we recommend undressing completely. Again, you will be covered by a sheet at all times. You will also be wrapped in a fragrant cocoon of hot towels infused with sea and mineral salts and green tea. If you would prefer to wear underwear, we suggest bringing a spare pair with you to change into after the service.
male and female practitioners
We have both male and female practitioners on staff who perform spa facials, spa massages and other body treatments. You can specify at the time of booking whether or not you would like your service with either a man or woman, but please be aware that booking specifically with a male or female practitioner may decrease your chances of getting the time slot of your choice.
showers
We do not have showers, so be sure to leave yourself enough time after your appointment to shower elsewhere if you are going out afterwards.
spa treatment discounts
We offer a series of spa packages that are discounted by 10%. You can also create your own spa package by choosing three or more services (at least one hour in duration, each) and receive a 10% discount. The discount is given on the conditions that all services are redeemed in one booking and are redeemed by a single person. For example, you cannot purchase 3 one-hour services and book them on different days or share them with friends and still receive a discount. Please see redeeming gift certificates for spa packages for information on breaking up or sharing gift certificates for spa packages.
redeeming gift certificates for spa packages
We do not offer substitutions on services in the floating cloud spa package, which is a 1 hr spa facial and a 1 hr spa massage. If you would like to exchange one service in the floating cloud for another service of equal value, you may do so by paying an upgrade fee, which is the difference between the package price and the regular price of the two services you have chosen as substitutes. Even if you exchange only one service, you must still pay the upgrade fee on the second service. For example, if you want to experience the mandarin manicure ($45 value) instead of the 1 hr spa facial ($45) and keep the 1 hr massage, you will need to pay the upgrade fee of $11, which is the difference between the package price and the massage and manicure at regular price.
You may substitute any of the services in the 3 hr spa packages for another service of equal value without paying an upgrade fee. Alternatively, you can create your own spa package by purchasing 3 or more services (of one hour duration or longer) and receive a 10% discount.
If you would like to break up your spa package, either to enjoy your services on different days or to share your gift certificate with a friend, you may do so by paying the upgrade fee, which is the difference between the package price and the individual services at regular price.
lost gift certificates
We do not accept responsibility for lost gift certificates; however, if you have lost your gift certificate, please contact us by phone or email and provide us with your full name, the name of the purchaser and the approximate date that the gift certificate was purchased. After verifying the validity of the gift certificate, we will book you in for your services.
expired gift certificates
We honour expired gift certificates for the full value listed on the certificate. Spa service prices are guaranteed for a full year after purchase, after which time the bearer must pay the difference for any price increases. Gift certificates are not valid unless a gift certificate number is attached.
If your gift certificate has expired, please contact us by phone. Have the gift certificate number handy so that we can best assist you.
© 2008 SR