G.Spa: Rest and Relaxation for 24 hours

“Are you excited for your birthday surprise?”

I teased WJ as we made our way from Mountbatten station to an old building. The G.Spa sign was splashed across the front of the building.

We’d arrived and I was every bit as excited as WJ (maybe more, but shh)!

The entrance was a bit tricky to find, but go through the pathway at the side of the building and you’ll see a lift. We went up to the 2nd floor and the doors opened to G.Spa‘s dramatic entrance. So, of course, I had to take the birthday boy’s photo.

When we’d finished ogling at the walkway, we went through it to the reception area. I’d booked our massage a few days before, so checking in was a breeze. We registered our names and IC numbers (we’re new customers) and they handed us waterproof electronic wristbands. Those were the ‘keys’ to our lockers – blue for WJ and yellow for me.

Then it was into the respective locker rooms to change into our gowns and the slippers provided. My outfit was a red and black wraparound gown with shorts while WJ’s was an ethnic-looking loose top and shorts. Disposable bras (more like a tube) and panties were also provided for the ladies. I’m not sure why guys don’t have disposable boxers though!

It was a bit tricky to use the lockers at first. I had to key in a 4-digit passcode twice before it would lock, but it couldn’t sense my finger on the ‘lock’ button. The locker room auntie was very patient with me though, and helped me finally master the usage of the locker. There was another lady having trouble using the locker while I was there too, so seems like I’m not the only one with that problem.

Since WJ didn’t have an issue with his locker, he was waiting outside for me. And it was TIME FOR LUNCH!

Wait. Did I forget to mention that G.Spa offers food and drinks?

Not only does the spa offer grub, but the food and drinks are FREE-FLOW – the magic words for greedy bums like us. The dining area was set like a rainforest, with fake trees and a hut where the food was prepared.

We ordered a club sandwich and seafood laksa. When my sandwich came, I looked at WJ slurping his laksa in envy. He gave me a spoonful to try, and I decided that I was going to have that for dinner. It was gooood! My sandwich was ok, but paled in comparison to the laksa.

We also had some fresh fruit juices – orange for me and watermelon for WJ.

As we still had almost an hour to go before our jacuzzi and massage, off exploring we went. G.Spa even has a gym inside! Albeit a tiny one, but if you feel like you’ve relaxed too much and need to punish yourself with strenuous activities, remember to bring your exercise clothes and shoes!

We liked the sluggish and lazy mood, so we plopped ourselves down on one of the recliners and turned on the telly.

Yes, you can watch free movies at G.Spa too. Isn’t that insane? But so, so good.

After figuring out how to use the remotes (there are 2), I chose ‘Bad Teacher’ and WJ watched ‘Johnny English’. We had to stop the show 15 minutes later though, because it was time for our jacuzzi!

The entrance to the couple room was right next to the dining area, and we went in excited. It did not disappoint. The jacuzzi was already filled with hot water and ready for us. We quickly shed our robes and got in, slowly submerging our bodies while we got used to the heat.

Then it was bubbles time!

After we had a good soak, we dried ourselves with the towels provided and got ready for our massage – the 90-minute G Harmony, an “aromatic massage with medium pressure palm strokes for ultimate relaxation”.

She covered me with 2 towels and pressed on me.

Erm. I thought I’d booked the G Harmony massage and not the Gateway to Vitality (“an intense deep tissue therapeutic body treatment which concentrates on pressure points”)? I was debating whether to clarify with her through my pain when she took the towel covering my legs off. The smell of aromatic balm wafted through the air and I felt her kneading my legs.

“小姐，开始了…“ She whispered.

Phew! I did book the right massage after all. Thank goodness. I wouldn’t be able to last 90 minutes of all that pressing!

Halfway through, I almost fell asleep. But I could feel my drool almost dripping out of my mouth in my semi-conscious state so I blinked myself awake to suck it all back in. Didn’t want to wet the floor!

I was thinking if I should tip the masseuse after the massage when I realised I didn’t have any money on me. I’m not sure if tipping is the custom there, but there was a tip box in the locker room. I’m assuming it’s to share amongst all the employees.

“按摩好了，可以先去吃。等一下才去sauna。”

Alrighty then. It was time for our dinner! This time I ordered the awesome seafood laksa and WJ had the Hainanese chicken rice. And we topped up our tummies with some siew mai, har gao, curry chicken with bread and barley for dessert. Oh, and some more fruit juices to be healthy.

After our scrumptious meal, we went back to finish our respective movies. We’d wanted to sit inside the dark room but one of the only available chairs next to each other had a faulty TV. Too bad for us! Anyhow, after finishing our movies, we went to our respective locker rooms. The sauna and hot pool were accessed from within the locker room for privacy. Guys have it better with an additional cold pool, tsk.

The sauna was too hot for me. I opened the door and stuck a toe in but couldn’t take the heat when I was still standing outside so I gave up. I took a dip in the jacuzzi instead.

The showers were located right opposite the hot pool, and towels and all bath amenities were provided. There was shower foam, shampoo and conditioner, disposable bras and panties, cotton pads, combs and hair dryers. You don’t have to bring a single thing there!

It was time for our 2nd dinner. Whoops! I have to admit that we are quite greedy sometimes. I got the gourmet burger, which really is a fish fillet burger, while WJ had san lou horfun. I was happy with my burger but WJ said his horfun had a weird mushroomy taste. I’m not too sure what that means since I didn’t try it.

Checking out was quick as well. We returned the electronic wristbands and paid the amount. Guess how much it was?

$396 for the both of us (hooray for the 1st-time visitor massage promo)! And what did we get?

A 30-minute jacuzzi and a 90-minute massage in the couple room, 3 full meals, watched a movie and had a soak in the hot pool/sauna each. Wow. We felt so relaxed and the experience was worth every cent!

G.Spa, I have to say you gave us an amazing experience! We spent 8 hours there and we could have stayed longer had it not been a Sunday night. WJ was saying that we should stay there on a Friday night the next time to make full use of the 24 hours opening.

To all Singapore tourists and backpackers out there, this is a great place to stay at! You can pay $68 for an admission fee which includes all the free food and drinks, and the use of their facilities (recliner chair with TV, hot pool and shower, etc.) for 24 hours. It’s cheaper than a hotel and you get more bang for your buck than a hostel!

I also spotted some people working on their laptops while eating or on the recliners. Could this be the coolest ‘office’ space ever? That’s a thought for all you freelancers out there.

G.Spa, we would definitely be back!