Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Rosewood Phnom Penh introduces Cambodia "Lost Remedies“

Located on level 33, the spa is a welcome haven for both city dwellers and hotel guests. Reflecting Rosewood’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, the locally inspired, culturally indigenous experiences at Sense are perceptively customized to visitors’ needs and paired with natural ingredients that are sustainable, carefully cultivated and thoughtfully sourced.

Serene and silent areas offer both relaxation and energizing sensations for a perfectly balanced environment in which to achieve well-being, fitness and anti-ageing results. The spa, measuring 786 square meters (8,462 square feet), includes seven treatment rooms and a nail studio, all featuring unobstructed views of the Phnom Penh skyline. Guests can enjoy a full range of facilities including steam and whirlpool. There is also a 24-hour fitness center and 22-meter indoor lap swimming pool.

Sense’s signature treatments revive Cambodian “Lost Remedies” – the Khmer people’s ancient practices for health and beauty -- incorporating carefully selected natural ingredients and techniques. Here their healing powers are adapted and applied to the contemporary pursuit of well-being.

Khmer traditional medicine focuses on four forms of therapy: spiritual offerings, maintaining a balance of hot cold in the body, dermabrasion and herbal medicines. A form of naturopathy uses natural remedies such as roots, barks, leaves and herbs to motivate the body’s vital ability to maintain and heal itself. Khmer natural medicinal practices were first formulated during the Angkor period of the 12th century and offer a holistic approach, avoiding the use of surgery and drugs. Practitioners of this therapy are known locally as Kru Khmer, meaning "Khmer teachers.”

The Sense menu features “Khmer Herbal Poultice” including healing massage, which was used as an ancient Cambodian herbal remedy for the men who came home from war in the Angkor era and has been a staple in Cambodian healing ever since. The herbal poultice is effective in releasing blocked energy and relaxes the muscles to minimize muscle spasm and tension.

Another highlight is the “Chol Mlob” traditional skin cleanse, based on the age-old Cambodian tradition of covering the skin with powdered saffron when the body is in need of healing. Since saffron is highly effective in brightening and lightening the skin, it remains prevalent in the beauty regimens of Cambodian ladies today, and it has long been a custom among Khmer women to utilize this treatment as they prepare for marriage. The Chol Mlob body wrap incorporates both white clay and saffron to help nourish, replenish and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Sense’s two carefully selected skincare partners provide signature products and rituals that provide guests with the highest standards and long-lasting results. “Sense Body” rituals utilize scrubs and oils by the French luxury brand Maison Caulières, whose ingredients are harvested from family-run, self-sufficient farms in existence for the past 300 years. “Sense Face” rituals balance technology and nature in harmony by Swedish brand, Kerstin Florian, which promotes a philosophy of “Outer Beauty, Inner Health,” highlighting one’s natural beauty while delaying the natural aging process as much as possible.

“With our introduction of Sense, A Rosewood Spa to Cambodia, guests are offered an enchanting, fulfilling and quite unique spa experience,” “Here they find a fusion of Cambodian culture, urban retreat and highly effective therapies for stress relief, balance and recharging the human batteries.”

Rosewood Phnom Penh Managing Director Michael Parker