The Emperor Spa: Why Eat Roast Duck When You Could Get a Massage?

Even a short trek through Qianmen’s wide, but cluttered streets warrants a spa excursion. It’s only appropriate then that a former Han Dynasty bathhouse is nestled between the throngs of roast duck stalls and silk scarf hawkers. Buried under the imposing, pale building is a 1,000sqm oasis, lined with cooling slate walls and filled with the roar of a prided curtain of water that descends on a collection of luxurious pools. It’s a spa that’s yet another stunning addition to the boutique Emperor Hotel Qianmen’s contemporary facilities, and it’s open to the public.

For first impressions, The Emperor Spa is unlike the usual lavish, warm setting amassed at the average lobby of a hotel spa. Entering The Emperor Spa is like crawling into a soothing lagoon or a damp riverside cave overlooking cold springs – minus the bats. It’s a different interpretation of relaxation, but not a bad one. The entire space is low lit and the massage rooms are cozy and bare, with only a brown tea set cutting into the cream-colored décor.

The spa treatments range from the usual full body oil massage down to a rather focused go at the hand muscles. They’re completed with products by French brand, L’Occitane, whose health and beauty lotions are available for sale at their first flagship location in China, located in the lobby of The Emperor Spa.

We suggest starting off by nursing tired feet with a sole nurturing, pedi-focused treatment overlooking the indoor waterfall. After a relaxing, fragrance-filled massage from professionally trained masseuses, take a swim in one of the themed aromatic pools, including a mineral bath, a rose petal bath, and separate hot and cold water pools.

When we went, even the showers in the changing room mimicked cold springs (and not in a good way), but we trust that they’ll have their water temperature control up and ready in no time.

The Emperor Spa
Daily Noon-11pm. Emperor Hotel Qianmen, 87 Xianyukou Hutong, Dongcheng District (6701 7790)
东城区鲜鱼口胡同87号

Also try: Phoenix Retreat, Kocoon Spa

Photos: Ken