We all know that self-care is important, but often we neglect to find the time.
Thankfully the team behind the incredible Aurora spa have taken the guesswork out of trying to create the ultimate ‘me time’ and came up with a menu of treatments to relax, restore and revive.
Set in the heart of St Kilda, the spa is pure paradise, with a relaxing vibe, luxurious amendments, and staff who are there to ensure you have the most beautiful day.
During my time at the spa, I opted for the Signature Kitya Karnu treatment – a total body experience in your private steam room. The treatment included aromatic body oils and pure mineral salts that are applied for a full-body exfoliation, followed by a massaging application of a rich and creamy walnut and wattleseed exfoliant.
A nourishing hair treatment is applied along with a hydrating facial cleanse and masque, finally a cool river stone ritual that helps to clear and revive energy centers completes the treatment – absolute heaven!
Before and after each treatment guests can relax in the lounge room with some delicious tea, and just have a moment of serenity.
So what makes Aurora so special? I sat down with the team to find out a little more about the story behind this self-care destination…
The experience at Aurora is incredible – what is the story behind the spa?
Aurora Spa grew from an inspiring vision, our founder and life coach Lyndall Mitchell had over 20 years ago.
Lyndall grew up on a fruit farm and was inspired by her natural surroundings. Lyndall wanted to create an escape in an urban environment using beautiful natural products to relax the senses whilst creating a wellness experience for her guests. It is about creating that ritual, that ‘me moment’ for our guests.
What kind of experience do you hope guests will have?
An experience that they are inspired by. Aurora is not just a place of relaxation, but a place of reflection. Each guest should be inspired to invest in themselves and create a ritual at home to relax and unwind. This is a simply a place where they can escape from their day to day routine and feel completely looked after and rejuvenated.
Apart from the treatment what are some of the facilities guests can enjoy?
We are inside the recently renovated Prince Hotel, the Hotel has a refreshing solar heated pool that our clients are welcome to use. We also have our relaxation lounge with complimentary tea and bathrooms with amenities.
Each treatment has its own benefit – what are some of the best signature treatments and what do they achieve?
Our treatments are created to be restorative whilst giving optimal results. The 90 Minute Signature Cellular Treatment is designed to renew and rejuvenate the skin. Not only is the Cellular Facial a deep exfoliating nourishing results driven treatment, there is a beautiful scalp, hand and foot massage to really give the ultimate relaxation experience.
I would also recommend the One Hour Peppermint Pedicure, this is where our clients recline back and are given a guided mediation to listen to, whilst their feet and lower legs are exfoliated and hydrate.
My treatment was certainly like nothing I have ever heard of – what does Kitya Karnu mean and what is the benefit of the treatment?
Our signature treatment kitya karnu means ‘salty stone’ its designed to be a deeply relaxing and sensory experience, one of the elements being an exfoliation with a trio of hand blended salts. Its performed in the warmth of a private steam room and is excellent for detoxification and preparing your body for further treatments, we recommend a One Hour Massage after your Steam, as your muscles are relaxed from the steam, the massage is that much more beneficial.
In addition to the treatments I understand there are also beautiful products to keep the spa experience going at home – which products are part of the line and what makes them different?
The products were created to be used during our spa treatments and is now grown into a beautiful range which promotes creating a ritual, a me-moment in your home, partnered up with Qantas First Class, the range has become a reliable and trusted brand which includes body care, hair care, home care and recently a range of products for the face.
ASPAR uses botanically active ingredients, native Australian ingredients and is free from any harmful additives. The best thing about it is that you can take that spa experience home with you and create your own ritual at home, inspired by your spa experience.
What does the future hold?
Aurora opened its doors 22 years ago. To have known it would grow and be the go to place to rejuvenate and relax has been so rewarding. We want to go back to our roots of educating everyone from all walks of life about Wellness and Wellbeing.
That this isn’t an indulgence, this is an investment. It is not selfish to put yourself first, it’s necessary. We will be working on more of a holistic approach and introducing more group opportunities hosted by our founder Lyndall to provide a wellness workshop with our signature treatments to have the ultimate Wellness and Wellbeing experience.
