Plateau of Perfection

It’s frenetic here, in hectic Hong Kong. But suddenly, I feel as if I have taken a private jet to an island—I have walked into Pla...

It’s frenetic here, in hectic Hong Kong. But suddenly, I feel as if I have taken a private jet to an island—I have walked into Plateau.

I’m sure there are very good reasons for choosing this name for this 80,000-square-foot zone dedicated to fitness, relaxation, aesthetics and the culinary arts; but I would rather call it Serenity or even Calm. How else would you describe a place like this, located in the heart of the city, but with waterfalls, fountains, a 50-foot swimming pool, massages, gyms and more?

I enter the gym with my track shoes ready to hit the treadmill, prepared for the usual noisy scene. Instead, I am greeted by greenery outside the windows and large plasma screens with more scenes of calm. The state-of-the-art gym is silent, yet many people are exercising.

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‘‘Plateau is about improving one’s whole well-being,’’ says Niamh O’Connell, the spa director. Plateau, which opened three months ago, offers a mixture of European and Asian treatments. Everything here—treatments, 23 guest rooms and suites, ceramic art, photographic art and landscaping—has been created with excellence in mind. All this on the 11th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the city centre.

If you check in for the weekend, your room will overlook the Victoria Harbor. A power shower will relax you, and then you can opt for any treatment while lying on the special futon bed. I choose the signature Plateau massage (a masterful combination of Shiatsu, Hong Kong massage, Thai massage and reflexology). They do a great ‘salt and pepper scrub’, hot stone massage and more.

As a spa junkie, I’d rather save and spend on massages than on shopping. So even if the cost is steep (HK$ 800 for 75 minutes), it is invaluable. My body seems to talk to the therapist and she responds with her touch.

The aroma oils work their magic and later, I fly across the Pacific, completely rejuvenated and ready to take on more hectic days, this time in Los Angeles.

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The good news is you can walk in and book the massages, face treatments, etc. at Plateau. Breakfast in the tree-lined courtyard and dine at their outdoor grill.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road Hong Kong
Phone 852 2584 7688
plateau@grandhyatt.com.hk

YOU ASK, THEY ANSWER

BODY IMAGE BASICS
• Pooja wants to know if her weight of 50 kg and height of 5 feet is appropriate.
There are height-weight charts designed to answer this question. Based on the charts, it appears that your height-weight ratio is balanced. However, there are exceptions to such rules. You may have more body fat or body muscle, you may have an erect posture or slumped posture; these factors will modify your appearance. Most important, if you and your dear ones are pleased with your body image, then you should consider yourself well-proportioned and normal.

Dr Hemraj B Chandalia,
Director, Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management
and Research Centre, Mumbai