CBD is having a moment in Hong Kong. In the last year, the city has warmed up to cannabidiol—the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant—with CBD oils, creams, and edibles available in stores and online. Now, a handful of forward-thinking spas are getting in on the action.

Turns out, spas and CBD are a natural fit. Despite being non-psychoactive, cannabidiol is a highly active ingredient that—reputedly—offers a wealth of benefits, including pain management, improved sleep, and stress relief. That’s why some spas are leaning into the idea of enhancing their treatments with CBD products.

“CBD offers real benefits to those looking for natural remedies,” says Karrie Bitanga of Balance Health, a medispa in Central. “The number of inquiries related to insomnia, stress management, and resilience is increasing, and by adding treatments that combine traditional therapies like massage with CBD to their menus, spas are responding to a big demand and enhancing the customer experience.”

See also: The Myth, The Rise And The Impact of CBD

Photo: Cannable

ASIA'S FIRST CBD SPA 

Leading the charge in Hong Kong, Cannable is—apparently—Asia’s first CBD spa. The cosy, no-frills retreat specialises in massages powered by hemp. I’m in for the 45-minute Hemp Aromatherapy Massage that underpins all treatment options here.

The pampering ritual combines soothing strokes with a CBD massage oil blended by Cannable’s sister company, Cannami, and finishes with a CBD-spiked tea. Between the 50g of CBD and the comforting massage, I succumb to a very chilled-out afternoon post-treatment. For a real boost, pick an option that pairs the Hemp Aromatherapy Massage with other therapies—like Hot Stone and Lymphatic Drainage.

Cannable, On Tung Mansion, 34號 New Market St, Sheung Wan, 9160 9871

Photo: Chaless

BOUTIQUE INDULGENCE

Upping the ante, The Chaless is a brand-new spa on Soho’s Aberdeen Street. With just three rooms, this is a tiny retreat, but it packs a real wellbeing punch. The design-forward spot—it sports a very Hamptons look—has an extensive spa menu, but those looking to indulge in CBD therapy should focus on the “Wellness” treatments which are delivered with products from the UK’s premium Lady A CBD brand. If you’re after a short-but-sweet hit, try the Experiential CBD with Lady A CBD Tincture, where you’ll enjoy a CBD-laced tea or coffee along with a foot or arm massage, or express facial.

A more thorough treatment, the CBD Mood Boosting Massage uses an oil infused with lavender, evening primrose, sweet almond, tamanu—and CBD—that is paired with a massage technique developed just for The Chaless. It’ll work out all the knots in your muscles and lull you into a state of total zen. When I stumble off the table 50 minutes later, I’m thoroughly relaxed, slightly spaced-out, and useless for the next two hours.

The Chaless, G/F, 16 Aberdeen St, Central, 2997 6389

Photo: Balance Health

ANCIENT REMEDIES

In Central, Balance Health harnesses ancient wellness teachings for CBD facial treatments that draw on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The signature treatment is the 100-minute CBD Acuglow Facial that combines acupuncture with a gua sha massage using CBD products by Lady A and Kana.

The session begins with a consultation with TCM practitioner Michelle Zhang, who takes stock of my health and devises a facial acupuncture plan that’ll rebalance my energies. After some CBD-infused tea—perfect for calming acupuncture neophytes—the needles are deployed.

Laying still for the next 50 minutes is a challenge, but soon enough, another practitioner Hafsa Khan, begins the facial massage and gua sha. Be warned: the massage will completely knock you out. But you’ll wake up feeling a deep sense of calm and balance—and with glowing skin.

Balance Health, 27/F, Universal Trade Center, 3 Arbuthnot Rd, Central, 2530 3315

Photo: OTO

BLISSED OUT

Across the harbour, at Kowloon’s W Hotel Hong Kong, Bliss Spa has debuted a menu of four targeted, CBD-laced spa treatments, all of which use the highest-quality CBD products by UK brand OTO. There’s a ritual for stress and focus and another for sleep and balance, but we’re particularly intrigued by the 120-minute CBD Restorative Healing Experience which promises to keep your zen going long after you’ve left the spa.

The experience begins with a 90-minute CBD massage, followed by a 30-minute enhancement—choose from “muscle up, fat down” pain relief, deep relaxation super soak, or vital dome detox and sleep infratherapy. You’ll end your session with a CBD-infused cocktail or tea before you’re sent home with a CBD Sweet Sleep Pillow Mist to help you keep calm.

Bliss Spa, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2797

Photo: The Oriental Spa, Landmark Mandarin Oriental

SLEEP RITUAL

Promising a fantastic forty winks to Hong Kong’s often sleep-deprived residents is the new CBD Sleep Therapy ritual at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s luxurious Oriental Spa. The experience centres around a 90-minute full-body massage that targets pressure points to promote sleep and ease anxiety.

For an extra boost, guests sip on CBD tea infused with a Pure CBD Oil by Switzerland’s Kiara Naturals, before the massage is carried out with Mandarin Oriental’s signature massage oil and Kiara’s Pure CBD Oil and Deep Sleep Tincture. The highly targeted, pharmaceutical-grade CBD product is made with cannabis harvested in the Swiss Alps.

The Oriental Spa, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, 2132 0011