Frazzled by nonstop traffic jams? Disheveled by heat and humidity? Stressed-out by the demands of expat living? Find your way to The London Orchid in Damansara Heights and let the wonderful staff there provide you with a few hours of tender loving care.

Managed by an exuberant and eminently knowledgeable Londoner, Leagha McMahon, The London Orchid provides not only a welcome respite from the daily grind of life in KL, but an educational retreat, as well. During my service, Leagha patiently and confidently explained the nuances of every product, every treatment, and why her beauty therapists are so good.

“All our therapists are expats,” she detailed. “I think an crucial part of the spa experience is service. Any competent spa with good products can give you a decent experience. What really elevates it is the quality of service, and the knowledge and care with which that service is rendered.” When I asked her how that played into the all-expat group of beauty therapists, she explained further.

“First, our therapists undergo full training to the highest standards, so they’re all exceptionally skilled and trained to deliver the very best care and treatment. Second, they’re able to communicate fluently and effectively with our clients, who are almost all expats. And finally, we’ve found that the general service standards delivered by expats – in any industry, really – just seem to be better. Or at least more in line with what we expats are used to.”

Indeed, The London Orchid’s client base is nearly 90% expats, and repeat business is booming. Sure, it’s an indulgence, Leagha told me, but, as she explained, it’s more than that. Life in a big city, especially in the tropics, can take its toll on our façade. Our skin, our hair, everything we want to look good just gets worn down by the elements and actually needs the care that a good spa can provide. In my case, Leagha examined my facial skin… the tone, the wrinkles (very few, thankfully), and the general health of the tissue. She said I had very good skin, but that the tissue was definitely dehydrated, a common problem here, particularly among expats. We simply don’t drink enough water. In my case, I actually consume several cups of tea each day at work, and, as tea is a diuretic, my body’s water level was not where it needed to be. This is the “added value” that you get from visiting a professional who takes the time to really talk with you – whether it’s at a salon, a spa, or even your local auto garage. If the proprietor sees you as a fellow person, someone with whom they want to establish a long-term mutually beneficial relationship, you’re not going to be treated as a one-time cash sale. That’s the feeling I got from The London Orchid. They are caring, knowledgeable, and want you to really experience and enjoy the full benefit of receiving their treatments.

And what a range of treatments they offer! Most are ones that I would personally shy away from, being something of a typical guy, but as Leagha told me, they do have a solid number of male clients coming in (indeed, the facial I received is formulated especially for men), though naturally the majority of their patrons are ladies. All the usual spa standards are on offer, of course: Deep tissue massage, skin exfoliation, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials… you name it, it’s on the services menu. But there’s much more offered than the basics. Many of the advanced treatments (and my favorite, the anti-aging treatments!) feature the use of an exclusive British brand of top-flight beauty products, Elemis. These products are of the highest quality and are never tested on animals, which is a particular plus point for me.

Among the top-selling treatments, Leagha told me, is the Sienna X Spray Tanning, which gives clients a gorgeous, natural-looking healthy glow without the dangers of exposure to damaging UVA/UVB solar radiation. One of the beauty therapists on hand had recently gotten the spray tan treatment, and I can personally vouch for its natural look. It was fantastic! So if you’re going on holiday, or want to look your sunny best for a special occasion, and recognize that while the sun is good for the soul, it may not be so good for the skin, this is a terrific and safe option.

Another favourite for The London Orchid’s clients is the “mother-to-be” treatments for expectant mothers. I was surprised to learn how many there are, and they love coming and getting pampered as they await their special delivery! Always provided by specially trained therapists (and only in the second and third trimesters), the treatment lasts 90 minutes and includes cleansing treatment of the face, neck, and shoulders, followed by an all-over massage of the mom-to-be’s tummy, back, and legs. As a change from traditional massage, the expectant mother spends much of her time here lying comfortably on her sides. This treatment gets rave reviews, and if you have a proud mom-to-be in your life, a gift certificate for this treatment would certainly be welcomed and cherished.

As a man, I really don’t give much thought to beauty spas and treatments, but I confess I was impressed with the professionalism and knowledge by everyone I met at The London Orchid. My face felt and looked considerably better after my treatment, and I felt amazingly relaxed and refreshed as I emerged from the spa back into the bright, hot sunshine of another day in KL.
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The London Orchid, 67M Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Damansara Heights. For appointments or information, please call 603.2095 6009 or visit www.thelondonorchid.com.

This article was written by Chad Merchant for The Expat magazine.
Source: The Expat July 2012
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