Life

What: Vietnamese Green Coffee Body Treatment

Where: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam

The experience: A sanctuary for serenity, the spa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is set in a stunning jungle hideaway on a hill above the resort. Approach via stepping stones across the water features and you’ll arrive at beautifully constructed wooden treatment rooms set beside flowing natural streams. It’s the closest way we can think of to feel at one with nature without venturing into Robinson Crusoe territory.

You can have your pick of Six Senses’ signature treatments or customised detox programmes (they do, after all, manage 31 luxury spas around the globe), but we chose something more local: the 2½-hour Vietnamese Green Coffee Body Treatment (US$170, or about RM670). We needed our caffeine fix.

Green coffee is an integral part of the diet and traditions of the region, said to detoxify, reduce puffiness and bloating and improve circulation for a firmer, slimmer silhouette.

After the pre-treatment we were sufficiently malleable for the next phase: dry-brushing and exfoliation to stimulate and drain even the most lethargic lymphatic system. Next the masseuse attacked our cellulite using green coffee concentrate as their weapon. After the onslaught we were snugly wrapped in more green coffee to help hydrate and firm up the skin.

We hoped to emerge from the treatment smelling like freshly brewed espresso, but that hope was dashed. Green coffee is raw and unroasted and so apparently not aromatic. Still, it was a deeply relaxing and satisfying massage.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Ninh Vân, Ninh Hòa, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Tel +84 258 3524 268

This article first appeared in the April 2018 issue of UNRESERVED.