La Santé Spa at The Chateau.
The Chateau developed an effective marketing concept which grants the overseas guests an all-inclusive spa programme that includes transportation to and from the airport, while Kuala Lumpur residents can book a quick therapeutic get-away from their hectic city life. The Chateau guest may choose from a dozen different spa programmes inclusive of organic meals and consisting of tailor-made individualized therapies and programmes including Stress Relief, Body Sculpt, Wellness Getaway, Fit for Life, Beauty Essence, Body Pamper, Total Beauty, Couple Retreat, Body Cleansing as well as Pre Natal Therapy and Post Natal Remedy and For the Men programme.
Experiencing ‘La Santé Spa’ as an organic wellness spa, “granting its guests a complete organic wellness experience by denying methods that involve modern synthetics, instead utilizing cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that promote ecological balance, conserve biodiversity and foster recycling of our natural resources” was a great honor. 
We tested a one-week rejuvenation spa programme on a female senior advisory board member and were all amazed by the effects this well targeted, all inclusive, rejuvenating therapeutic spa programme had on her. Teh Ming Wah integrated the cutting edge technologies of LPG, a company that is the world leader in cellular stimulation, into this spa program.
Ms. Glory Nombado, a gifted therapist, performed this LPG Endermolift facelift treatment which is one hundred percent natural and non-invasive. She worked first on one side of her face and was able to improve elasticity, spontaneous tension and a more youthful appearance through the activation of one’s own collagen. The effects of LPG Endermolift facelift treatment erased most signs of aging instantly and gave her a glowing appearance. “Endermolift uses mechano-stimulation to stimulate the fibroblasts (cells responsible for collagen production). This 100% physiological and non-invasive mechanical approach to treating the face’s signs of aging appears to be a promising new therapy based on biological mechanisms, ” quoting Prof. Philippe Humbert on “The Effects of Endermolift on the Signs of Aging”.
The employees at La Santé spa, from the spa receptionists, to the therapists, to the spa director are all extraordinary. We were told that the therapists all have a year of training under their belt, a fact noticed during each single treatment. A highly aromatic, hot cup of organic herbal tea was served after every single treatment with the kindest gesture one hopes to receive. The spa director Ms. Alice Yap recommended to us the Seaweed Hot Stone Massage, which cannot be compared with a normal massage. As with every spa treatment my therapist first of all introduced herself and then explained in all detail the upcoming treatment.
She had soaked strips of organic seaweed in aromatic, organic essential oils and placed them over her entire back. Heated stones were then placed onto these strips of seaweed leaves. Soon the effect of the heat of these stones was soothing the muscles while releasing the healing powers of the ocean. “Seaweed naturally absorbs or metabolises their nutrients from the sea. As a result seaweed contains countless minerals, vitamins and beneficial ingredients in high concentrations. In fact no known plant has a comparable quantity of minerals and vitamins.” – according to Voya, the exclusive line of spa products available at La Santé.
Another treatment that we highly recommend for clients who are looking to reduce the appearance of cellulite, or fat deposits, is the ‘Aroma Total Body’. This anti cellulite treatment, which utilizes lymphatic drainage “to eliminate fluid retention, promote detoxification and break down stubborn fat deposits”, “worked wonders” as experienced by our test person during her 6 day Total Beauty Organic Wellness Package. This complete beauty & body enhancement program includes accommodation, complete with all organic meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), a couple of (delightful) afternoon teas as well as a nutritional consultation, fitness and wellness sessions and these treatments:
1 Swedish Massage & 1 Reviving Facial & 1 Aroma Lift – Non Surgical Face Lifting Facial & 1 Collagen Activator Facial & 1 Body Scrub – Bladderwrack Body Buff 1 Body Wrap – Mermaid Purse Body Mask & 1 Relaxing Bath – Aroma Infusion & 1 Aroma Total Body – Lymphatic Drainage & Cell Rejuvenation & 1 Herbal Bath (Sauna) & 1 Aroma Bust – Bust Firming & 1 Spa Manicure & 1 Spa Pedicure & 1 Hair Wash & Style. Another product from the ocean is Voya, La Santé Spa’s exclusive spa line, quoting “a revolutionary range of organic products certified by both the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Soil Association. Made from hand-harvested seaweed from Ireland’s unpolluted coastline that unleashes natural powerful resources for the benefit of maintaining & prolonging youthfulness and at the same time protecting the earth.”
Meeting with Spa Director Ms. Alice Yap was not only delightful but educational as well. She even offers organic spa manicure & pedicure treatments and organic hair treatments etc. We decided not to list them all here all, but just a couple and let you, the reader, experience the incredible repertoire of organic spa & beauty treatments all for yourself at ‘La Santé Spa’ dressed in bath robes and slippers made from organic cotton and / or bio-degradable material. A few of the European style spa rituals that one should definitely experience at La Santé are their uniquely designed Herbal Bath Organic Herbal Infused Sauna Chamber, the Aquaveda Bed featuring the Soap Brush treatment, the Aroma Hydro Pool The Hydro Bath and the Salt Grotto studded with thousands of Swarovski crystals, the Grotto is delightful.
The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort have a doctor on staff, Dr. Sharifah, who not only teaches the concept of holistic health and wellness, having met her personally, the kind lady lives what she preaches. “We believe, ‘We are what we eat’. Our motto is ‘moderation’ and not ‘extreme’.” Developing an organic spa resort of this calibre takes a team of extraordinary people, lead by an extraordinary professional like Teh Ming Wah. Ms. Ming developed this organic spa resort concept and found open ears with the owner Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan, one of Malaysias wealthiest men.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan (see photograph on right) is a man with a vision who realized and capitalized on the increasing demand of the world market for a health-conscious lifestyle and healthier, preferably organic, foods through other venues as well. Ms. Ming hired, taught and trained her amazing team of professionals until they were able to give birth to the world’s first fully organic spa and wellness resort. Ms. Ming, with a background in banking & investments, spas & wellness, as well as hotel management, has developed some of the most exclusive spas of the world and managed Asia’s most exclusive ladies clubs, Phillip Wain.
It is her passion for spas, wellness and beauty that has led her to create this new concept in the hospitality world. Seven Stars and Stripes Inc. in Cooperation with The Seven Stars and Stripes Academy™ proudly recognizes Ms. Ming as a Leader and Champion of the Global Spa and Hospitality Industry. Ms. Ming is credited with creating the World’s first organic spa and wellness resort at The Chateau in Malaysia and with her vision, expertise, leadership and persistence, Ms. Ming has elevated the global organic spa experience to an entirely new level.
Ms. Ming undertook the task to approach the European Organic Committee (EOC) to obtain the organic certification for an organic resort. However, she was told that they could not certify The Chateau as an organic entity as they have not done the certification for this category previously. Ms. Ming found out after extensive research on her part, that there has never been a hotel or resort that was fully organic. Our research yielded many resorts claiming to be organic but upon further investigation, it was revealed that only one part of their operations was organic, usually their F & B outlets or only their spa.
There was no resort, which was organic in their entirety. Hence, we were able to use the tagline “The World’s first Organic Spa and Wellness Resort” as it fell upon us to set our own criteria as to what constituted an organic spa and resort. Offering a complete organic wellness experience to our guests is our main mission. Therefore our F&B outlets offer organic food and drinks, our spa utilize organic products and amenities and our rooms are appointed with organic products and then some.” Ms. Ming approached the Seven Stars and Stripes organization and after extensive research they developed The Seven Stars Organic World™ Award.
During the official opening night of The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort, at Berjaya Hills, The Chateau won four Seven Stars and Stripes awards, and later in the evening, a personal award was presented to Ms. Ming. The evening had a Royal touch; it was graced by The Crown Prince of Pahang HRH Prince Abdullah Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah, ministers of the country, members of the press and several TV stations (one from the USA), as well as one hundred and fifty specially invited guests from several different countries. Sir Walter Staib, a member of the Seven Stars and Stripes advisory board, an award-winning internationally renowned chef and host & producer of his three-time Emmy Award winning USA national TV show ‘A Taste of History’ on PBS TV, attended the event with his camera team as well. They also filmed a show at The Chateau and some segments in the nearby jungle. The seven course gala dinner was not entirely organic, as Ms. Ming announced before she wished everyone bon appétit. She explained that she didn’t want to miss serving this distinguished group a delicacy like foie gras, which is non organic, and hence the “not 100 per cent organic” menu. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, the owner of The Chateau seemed very pleased with his company, the well deserved awards his Chateau received, the string orchestra and opera performance with Samantha Chew, Ms. Ming and her entire team. It was a beautiful night – Congratulations!
by Edmund Buehrmann & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola
Copyright
The above review is copy written © by Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. and that no part of the review may be republished without their explicit written authorization.
Disclaimer:
Although the above information was accurate at the time of publication, it can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all pertinent information with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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