If you've been missing Japan's therapeutic onsen, you can now soak your worries away in a traditional hot bath right here in Kuala Lumpur
Press pause. You will find it hard not to do that when you're at Urban Retreat Onsen Spa, a winner of World Luxury Spa Awards 2019 tucked away in Mont Kiara. With an interior of muted tones and wood, the space is a veritable invitation to leave the outside world behind and just relax.
Offering a range of massages and pampering rituals, its most unique feature, however, is the onsen. The bathtub is specially crafted from Hinoki wood, revered in Japan for its stress-relieving properties. The recreation of this beloved Japanese pastime extends even to the bath salt, extracted directly from Japan's hot springs.
See also: These Japanese Onsens are Offering Virtual Hot Spring Experiences
"Onsen spas are surprisingly popular in neighbouring countries like Singapore and Thailand. Since there wasn’t an onsen spa in Malaysia, we decided to bring the onsen culture to Malaysia," says spa director Brigitte Lu.
The first private onsen in the country features a modern contemporary design, using imported pines and local premium wood. The goal is to replicate as authentic an experience as you would find in Japan. "All fixtures in the onsen room—tubs, shower taps, bucket and stool—were imported from Japan. We worked closely with our Japanese consultants on the details," notes Lu.
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