Review / We review Altira Spa Macau’s new Prodige des Océans Face and Body Ritual

With all the developments at the main Cotai Strip, it’s not surprising that Altira Macau has been slightly in the shadows of late. That’s not a reflection of the fortunes of a hotel which has just celebrated 10 consecutive years of achieving 5 stars for hospitality and service from Forbes.

The hotel has long been one of my favourites in Macau, especially if I’m looking for a relaxing staycation and not frenzied gambling or shopping. Because of its location, it’s understandable that it sometimes slips from people’s minds when they are planning a trip to the enclave. However, that can also make it a haven away from the tourist crowds, and the luxurious set up of the Altira Spa adds to the ambience.

The spa is huge, taking up more than 6,000 sq ft on the 15th floor. A bright, warm reception area opens into a maze of treatment rooms in cosy hues of gold and brown. I remembered the spa’s treatment rooms as being big, but I am taken aback by the size of mine when I walk in.

A massage bed greet me near the entrance, with another double divan up on a high, raised platform. There’s a steam room (plus shower), toilet (of course) and a large shallow jacuzzi wider than a king-size bed, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a great view of the Macau Peninsula.

I’m here for the new Prodige des Océans Face and Body Ritual, and there are subtle hints of the coming oceanic experience: some seashells here and coloured sand, pebbles and reminders of ocean life scattered elsewhere. Even the massage bed, my therapist tells me, is a “waterbed”.

What is it?

The Prodige des Océans Face and Body Ritual is a 150-minute treatment that promises “an innovative treatment experience dedicated to youthfulness and relaxation” through Thalgo La Beauty Marine’s similarly named line made with the luxury Intelligence Marine Régénérative, a youthfulness concentrate that has 63 marine nutrients in it.

The Prodige des Océans line includes the rich antioxidant La Crème which works to firm wrinkles; the L’Essence which firms and smoothens complexions; and the smoothing and plumping Le Masque, all of which contain the patented Intelligence Marine Régénérative.

The concentrate is said to hold the key to youthful skin by reactivating 64 proteins and Thalgo claims that it smooths wrinkles, restores firmness, corrects dryness, controls pigmentation marks, evens complexions, and protects against oxidative stress. No wonder they have named it Wonder of the Oceans.