Nata is an elegant alternative for the urbanite who knows her way around a spa. While the spa offers the usual range of services -- from aromatherapy to traditional Asian bodywork--its specialized treatments are what set the facility apart from the rest of Phnom Penh's offerings. Nata's signature body and facial treatments employ the "Methode Physiodermie," a Swiss brand of spa care that uses lymphatic drainage techniques and prescriptive, aromatic blends to promote detoxification and improve circulation.
After being served a cup of tea in the white-tiled reception area, customers are led up a gold Art Deco-style staircase. The climb is rather vertiginous, but the facility's vertical layout, stylishly curved walls and small, well-appointed treatment rooms make the spa reminiscent of a boutique hotel. The staff are enthusiastic and courteous, if slightly wet behind the ears, and the treatments are applied with care. The hands, feet and spine were well attended to during a trial Swedish massage, though the masseuse could have put more muscle into the broader regions of the body.
Nata's "Physiodermie Power Facial" is an hour-long treatment that is tailored to one's skin type. Not only the face, but also the neck, shoulders, scalp, and upper chest are incorporated into the treatment, making the experience more invigorating and intense. Two attendants prepare the various phases of the facial, applying a series of masks, peels, and cleansers and incorporating light massage throughout. The products are gentle and leave the skin feeling softer, more moisturized, and better protected from the elements.
Nata's headlining bodywork also includes treatments for stretch marks, cellulite, and puffy eyes, and its signature facials incorporate more extensive manual techniques that promise to improve skin laxity and overall vitality. It's a specialized, high-end selection that discriminating spa-goers are likely to welcome.
Nata Spa
#31 Sihanouk Blvd. (near Mobitel), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
023 223 938
nataspa_asia [at] yahoo [dot] com