Four Seasons’s spa director reveals secrets to selecting the right spa treatment for you

Dr. Tania Bardhan is a qualified homoeopathy and acupuncture practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the spa industry. She joined Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong, as senior spa director at the height of the pandemic. 

Over the past three years, she has significantly strengthened the hotel’s wellness offerings, which are among the best in Asia—the Spa partners with three globally recognised brands to offer a curated range of wellness treatments and programmes. With so many brands on the market, we ask Dr. Bardhan how she selects partners for the prestigious Spa. 

What does a typical day look like? 

When I’m in Hong Kong, I’m very hands-on with the day-to-day running of the Spa, and I spend a lot of time talking to guests to keep an eye on how we are doing and what else we could do to further our offerings. I lead daily meditations and conduct individual wellness consultations with guests interested in our ‘Empower from Within’ programmes. 

I oversee other Four Seasons spas in the region, including Bangkok and Seoul, and the newly opened Four Seasons Suzhou, so I travel frequently. 

What are ‘Empower from Within’ programmes? 

We launched a series of outcome-based wellness programmes under the ‘Empower from Within‘ umbrella three years ago. These programmes range from 1.5 to three days. They are tailored to address some of the most common challenges brought about by our modern lifestyles through spa rituals, mindfulness practices, and nutrition. 

We currently offer five programmes. Our three-day Enhanced Vitality programme incorporates craniosacral therapy, yoga, nutrition, and facial and body treatments while our Journey to Motherhood goes far beyond pre-postnatal massage with a ginger bath ritual, cranial sacral therapy, pre- or postnatal yoga, and tailored body treatments to address specific concerns during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Which brands do you partner with? 

Currently, we work with three brands: Biologique Recherche, which has had a devout following here since before I joined; the celebrity-backed Joanna Vargas, which we introduced last year; and clean beauty brand Ignae, an exciting partnership launched just last month. 

What are the criteria for brand partnership? 

Our resident brands must be distinct and offer something unique so guests can select treatments without confusion. I invest a lot of time into researching brand ethics, stories, and manufacturing processes so that they align with our principles. We opt for brands which are new to the market in Hong Kong and we ensure our partnerships are exclusive within the region. 

Spa treatment menus can be overwhelming. How do you help guests choose?

Each brand offers different approaches so it’s easier for guests to select their preferred treatment based on desired outcome. For example, Biologique Recherche facials focus on the skin analysis methodology to assess the skin’s current texture, colour, hydration levels, and underlying conditions and treat them accordingly. Joanna Vargas uses a technology-backed facial protocol incorporating radio frequency and microcurrent and promising instant results, which is great for a red-carpet appearance. Meanwhile, the transformative plant-based skincare brand Ignae is established in clean beauty ethics and utilises traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic application methods. 

Can you tell us about your wellness routine? 

A good routine is rooted in strong foundations so I start with the basics like am I getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time for movement and mindfulness practice.? These are the most important factors. In terms of skincare, I opt for a simple yet effective approach. Of course, I’m partial to the brands we work with at the Spa, as I’ve extensively researched their benefits.

What’s coming up at the Spa?

We’re introducing a new series of wellness modalities and reviving our visiting practitioner programme—more on that to come. Later this month, we plan to introduce a refreshing approach to manicures and pedicures at The Nail Bar, so stay tuned! 

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is open daily from 10 am to 11 pm. To find out more or book a treatment, visit fourseasons.com/hongkong/spa/ 

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 6/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8900, res.hongkong@fourseasons.com