A menu of treatments, colour therapy, a calming environment and a glass of bubbles – editor Zoe Rice steps out of the cold and into luxury.
I generally spend all of my winter months finding ways to escape the cold – even momentarily.
I’m happy to say, I’ve finally found my favourite place to warm my chilled bones. IONE Spa & Wellness at West Lakes offers a Spa Soiree Bathhouse Journey & Water Goddess Spa Journey that is luxurious, indulgent and completely necessary to avoid winter.
When you step through the doors, you’re met with the signature colours of this retreat, from moody amethyst to rose tones.
They’re colours owner Anna Burden agonised over for the perfect feel, and, in the end, it was specifically created for IONE with the help of architect Megan Hounslow, who also assisted with bespoke lighting informed by circadian rhythms, simulating the natural cycle of daylight as you go through the space from front to back.
“This has a profound effect on health and wellbeing, as it affects your sleep/wake cycle and balances hormones, enhancing your mood and regulating energy levels and internal systems,” Anna says.
When undertaking the project, they used no-tox and low-tox building materials – natural timbers, marble and stone. They had air purification installed, as well as a crystal grid foundation.
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Anna greets us with the most genuine warm, welcoming aura. After a career in the corporate world, Anna decided to condense her hours and study the world of spa – she’d always had a love for oils and aromatherapy.
“I am grateful to be in the position where guests confide in us about how they are really feeling, and seeing the transformation from entering our space to exiting, and it really is something remarkable.
“The whole reason for this purpose-built space was to create a retreat for physical, mental and emotional resilience in a tranquil and luxurious setting where guests could just let go of stress and sit with their inner selves, with proven therapies and modalities that rewire our entire system.”
The treatment begins with a private session in the western cedarwood FAR infrared sauna. You can select your own colour via a remote control, based on what you’re after. I opt for a calming purple hue.
Then, it’s into the wet steam room with aromatherapy I chose earlier – a zesty Italian orange scent. By now, I’ve forgotten it’s blustery and raining outside.
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I’ve even built up a sweat, so it’s into the Swiss jet Vichy shower room, where water sprays from all angles. After that, it’s time to change into a fluffy robe and slippers, ready for more treatments across the hallway.
Circadian lighting sets the tone as I get comfortable on a massage bed. There are several bespoke massages to choose from, before an IONE exclusive organic coconut and jasmine body polish.
Then, it’s onto the face, with the Deluxe Radiance facial, with hyaluronic infusion mask while the rest of the body is cocooned in a white flannel flower mask and triple body butter souffle.
The treatment moves to a pressure point and Ayurvedic Indian head massage with warm native quandong and fragonia hair cocoon.
The worst part of any treatment is stumbling out onto a too-bright street, back into the real world when it’s all over.
Today, I’m eased back into wakefulness in my favourite way – with snacks, bubbles and a body of water to gaze out onto.
The waterfront lounge looks out to the lake, so you can watch the rowers idle past while you enjoy a platter of sweet and savoury goodies prepared by a local chef, exclusively for IONE. This, of course, with Champagne in hand.
The whole package is around five-and-a-half hours, so if you time it right, you’ll catch the sunset.
This article first appeared in the June 2026 issue of SALIFE magazine.
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