Warning: Auric Goldfinger has been employed by the Hui Hotel’s Ling Long Spa and is now posing as a young therapist named Linda. When asked to recommend a facial, ‘Linda’ will suggest the Swiss Essence Facial Care (RMB680/hour), specifically the hydrating option, but don’t be fooled. She’ll paint your face in gold three-fourths of the way into the treatment, right before she attempts to rob the US Bullion Depository.
The spa lobby gives no indication of harboring the Bond villain – a muted color palette of grays, blacks and whites carry from the floors and walls to the couches and shelves, with the only accent pieces being two purple orchids and a porous white – not gold – rock sculpture.
We succumbed to the lure of the 24-karat treatment, and after our shower, Linda swathed us in several fresh towels. She dabbed geranium essential oil on her hands. She hovered those hands above our face and told us to relax. Maybe she suspected we knew…
Cleansing milk, facial tonic, a hydrating serum and a mask followed, the products by Spanish brand Ainhoa Jalea Real and Swiss brand Cell Code giving our face a thorough seeing to.
Finally, Linda covered our face with silky gold creme, infused with precious Swiss plants and 24k nano gold, saying gold improves circulation and speeds up skin-cell renewal. We knew what happened to Jill Masterson though and made a quick exit back to the unassuming lobby – after a nice rub down with jasmine oil, of course.
If you fancy your own adventure this month, Ling Long has a half-off August promotion on their bubble bath, body scrub and body mask treatments, usually priced at RMB380. One might say it’s a golden opportunity…
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