Kuala Lumpur is home to an abundance of wellness and self-care treatments. It’s actually rare for us to come across truly new experiences, but this new comer is delivering just that. While menu items such as facials and head spas are nothing new, the first-in-Malaysia authentic Korean body scrub stood out to us—so we did just that. Keep reading for our review of the service at GOYO.
But first, let’s talk about the locale. The first of its kind in Malaysia, GOYO has taken up residence in Kuala Lumpur’s up-and-coming hotspot: KLGCC Mall. Interior-wise, the brand has settled for an aesthetics that paid homage to its Korean heritage while retaining a contemporary flair to result in an intimate and rejuvenating space that transports you to instant zen—even as the rest of the mall is bustling with life. Warm-toned furniture and cosy lighting immediately brings to mind a sense of quiet comfort, a signal of the kind of serenity to come.
Upon our arrival, we’re served with quick refreshments as we wait for our room. It did not take long—it was just enough time for us to soak in the ambiance, finish the cup of warm tea, and mentally align for relaxation. After about 15 minutes, we’re whisked away to a private room, where we prepared to shed every ounce of grime (yes, we’re going there) off the body. This included discarding every article of clothing we had on, and in its place, we donned the single-use undergarments. Once our bathrobe was on, the therapist opened the doors to the adjoining spa room, where they had prepared everything for the Korean scrub service. The second the door was opened, we’re instant enveloped in a shroud of steam, where every inhale clarified our breathing passages.
Though our vision was limited due to the steam, the unmistakable Vichy shower bed was a welcome sight. Despite its cutting edge appearance, the surface is deceptively comfortable to lie upon. It’s here that the therapist will begin to run a warm bath, kickstarting the ritual on a high note. And speaking of notes, the room was equipped with speakers that played gentle melodies that lulled us into a deep ease throughout the service—so much so that we found ourself slowly drifting into sleep.
Once we’re adequately drenched, the soft-spoken therapist applied a coating of exfoliant onto the body. This was to help to loosen the dead skin so that it can come off more seamlessly (and painlessly). While the solution was left to work its magic, we were left to soak in as much calm as possible. Between the warmth of the steam and the subtle music, we achieved a state of zen pretty efficiently. Soon enough, however, the therapist returned and the real work began: the scrubbing.
Using traditional Korean exfoliating mitts, they began working on the extremities, making sure that they did not miss a single nook and cranny. For those who are particularly demure, you can mention your preference ahead of the service—Goyo staff members are some of the most accommodating ones we’ve come across. But if you want a complete and transformative experience, leave it to the professionals, which was exactly what we did. The therapist orchestrated our movements as well, arranging and angling limbs to target hard-to-reach spots to ensure that they delivered thorough work. And work they did throughout the 90-minute-long ritual. By the time they were done with this process, a whole layer of dead skin was shed, revealing fresh, clean skin.
Before we knew it, it was time for the Vichy shower to shine. Seven shower heads—with massage-level pressures—swung on a pivot, offering an unprecedented coverage for the last step of the process. Occasionally, the therapist would divert the angle of the shower heads for better directional stream. Truth be told, we never thought a horizontal shower would be that revolutionary. But consider us a convert at this point.
Afterwards, we hopped into a warm shower for the final rinse. The shower itself was located in the same treatment room, so there’s no need to worry about braving the cold mall air in between. There wasn’t much for us to clean off (the therapist did a wonderfully complete job at tackling that), so it felt like it was mainly for allowing the therapist a small window of time to prepare the next step of the experience: the hot stone massage.
It was a much-welcomed treat, especially for those of us who tend to live a sedentary work and home life. Aches and knots were instantly assuaged when the hot stones were strategically placed. Though we welcomed the heat, there’s always the option to go the milder route; all you have to do is alert the therapist of your threshold, and they will adjust accordingly. The primary goal of this particular segment is to improve blood circulation and relax any tension you may hold in the muscles. In our case, it was the cherry on top. We felt lighter than air when we rolled off the bed and totally refreshed from the meticulous full-body exfoliation.
The 90 minutes passed by in a delicious blur. We marvelled at the smooth quality of our skin in the changing room. Under brighter lights, our skin appeared much more radiant, too. Though the experience ended there, the benefits lasted way longer. Later at home, body care products absorbed into the skin well. It was almost as though the skin could drink it up without any hitch. It has been almost a month since then, and we still think the skin retains its delicate texture.
Final takeaway of our Goyo Salon review
Between the convenience of its location to the quality of work that Goyo can deliver, it’s an easy yes for us. In our case, we really did see a difference, especially in terms of the texture and brightened appearance. It’s the perfect preparatory treatment ahead of important events such as weddings or even that sunny beachside vacation you’re planning. If you’re one to enjoy a good self-tanning session, the Korean body scrub service will give you a better canvas for you to apply the developer on, resulting in a more seamless tan. Otherwise, this fits into our category of ‘little luxuries’—the lavish option to something that can be pedestrian.
Address: GF-10 & 11, KLGCC Mall, Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
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