Moon meets water at Conrad Tokyo's Mizuki spa

By Maki Yasuda

Lifestyle Aug. 15, 2012 - 06:57AM JST ( 0 )

TOKYO —

“Mizuki,” meaning “water and moon” in Japanese, is the signature spa of the Conrad Tokyo, occupying the top 28th to 37th floors of a skyscraper in the Shiodome area, overlooking Tokyo Bay and the beautiful Hamarikyu gardens. Mizuki is on the 29th floor, and can be used as a day spa by outside guests; hotel guests and members also have access to the fitness area and pool area, which are uplifting spaces filled with natural light. The studio offers yoga, boxercise and other classes for groups (fees vary), which are nice activities to fit in when staying at the hotel.

The “moon and water” theme is evident in the spa’s interior, with rounded hallways, circular spaces and curvaceous angles all around, and alcoves decorated with small sculptures with lunar motifs. Natural warm wood tones and neutral shades of beige and brown are comforting with a distinctly Japanese feel.

The “Heat and Water Experiences” is an optional “treatment enhancement” referring to the area with steam and dry saunas, showers, jacuzzis, vanity and lounge. The jacuzzis consist of four adjacent mini “personal” jacuzzis where you lie down with your backs to each other, which I thought would be better if they had one big impressive bath feature, but I suppose some people would appreciate the relative privacy. The saunas are functional and pleasant. I assume most day spa guests would opt to use this area for the extra 3,500 yen, as a spa experience would not feel complete without a bath or at least a shower (for those who opt just for the treatment, there is a dressing room to use for changing before and after the treatment). Of the 10 treatment rooms, four are suites equipped with a bathtub and shower, in which case one might forgo the Heat and Water area. There are two suites for double occupancy, of which the Mizuki Room has an amazing hinoki bath by floor to ceiling windows. The 10 treatment rooms all have a Shiodome city view, a futuristic view of gleaming tower facades and neighboring skyscrapers.

The spa uses products by the well-known Italian brand Comfort Zone for all their treatments. Developed by a team of spa professionals and dermatologists headed by a pharmacist, the brand’s formulas are rooted in phytotherapy as well as advanced biochemistry, merging nature and science to get results. The brand only offers one kind of massage oil from their “sacred nature” line, used in all the massage treatments at Mizuki. You don’t have the fun of choosing a personal aromatherapy concoction, but nevertheless, the “sacred nature” oil is very functional, highly absorbable and effective in nourishing the skin with anti-aging properties, and you will be pleased with its effectiveness.

I had the 90-minute Hot Stone Ritual (30,000 yen), in which heated volcanic stones are placed along the spine, on the abdomen and other points of the body, and also used to massage with gentle to medium pressure strokes. The treatment is more for relaxation than easing muscle tension, but the therapist will accommodate any trouble spots you may have for direct massaging by hand. I pointed out my usual stiff neck and shoulder area, which was well taken care of in between the stone massage. This warming massage may be particularly good for the summer, as we actually tend to get more chilled than we realize, sitting around in air-conditioned rooms all the time. It is a sensational experience to feel the heat from the stones transferred directly to the body, and the soft clicking of the stones coming into contact with each other is soothing and hypnotic. I drifted off during the treatment and needed to be woken up when it was over.

After the treatment, you are led to a lounge that is a circular room with comfortable long chairs. The room has a communal feel, with the long chairs placed in a circle along the curving wall, with all the ends facing the center. The lounge is for both men and women, so this would be the meeting point for couples if they had their treatments separately. With the dim lighting and the effects of the treatment, it is a nice place to drift off again. Some tea and a dessert prepared by the hotel’s pâtissier are offered there, a welcome refreshment after a long massage. My dessert was Japanese plum jelly, a delicious healthy treat to top off a relaxing visit.

The Conrad is highly notable for its gourmet scene, so for those who want a little more indulgence with the spa, the Spa + Afternoon Tea plan would be just the thing. An 80-minute body treatment or facial plus the hotel’s signature afternoon tea at the Twenty Eight Lounge would be a heavenly way to spend an afternoon.

Mizuki Spa at the Conrad Tokyo
1-9-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-7337
Tel: 03-6388-8000 （Hotel）/ 03-6388-8620 （Spa）
Email: Mizuki.ConradTokyo@conradhotels.com

Hours： Daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Hot Stone Rituals 90 minutes
Price: 30,000 yen

Spa & Afternoon Tea Plan
- 80 minute Body or Facial treatment at Mizuki
- Afternoon Tea at Twenty Eight Bar and Lounge (2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri / 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Weekends & Holidays)
Price: 28,000 yen