Trying a Yon-Ka Paris Phyto-Aromatherapy Massage at Houston’s Only Five Star Spa — Post Oak Hotel Ups Its Relaxation Game

Long before my masseuse Tristin began the Yon-Ka Paris bamboo magic on the knotted muscles in my neck and shoulders, I was already releasing worldly tensions as I entered the inner sanctum of The Spa at the Post Oak Hotel. True to the boasting and the five star accolades, the spa proved to be as serene, luxurious and other-worldly as it gets.

I must agree with Forbes when bestowing its coveted five-star ranking, the only spa in Texas to receive such, that Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s entry into the realm of healing, wellness and beauty is indeed “virtually flawless.” Likewise, the hotel itself basks in what Forbes rates as five star brilliance.

The Yon-Ka Paris treatments are new to the spa and to Houston. So it was time to check them out.

Why Yon-Ka Paris

Launched in Argenteuil, France, in 1954, the family-owned skincare firm is now in the hands of Francoise Multaler and Catherine Multaler, daughters of one of the founders. Francoise is a biochemist and Catherine an aesthetician. Theirs is an aromatic plant-based skincare system based on the power and healing properties of plants. Considering that Yon-Ka Paris was founded mid-20th century, architects of this practice were pioneers in aromatherapy, actually phyto-aromatherapy.

The line includes the full array of skincare products as well as treatments, all of which “are designed to provide a comprehensive sensory experience” according to a release. While Neiman Marcus and The Spa at the Post Oak Hotel carry the various lotions, potions, masques and more, only the Post Oak spa offers the unique Yon-Ka Paris treatments and rituals.

The Massages

From the selection of four specially created massages, I selected the 60-minute Bamboo Fusion, which Tristin handled masterfully. The combination of the hands of the therapist and warm essential oils released with pressure from polished bamboo sticks was a dreamy experience. I’m not sure there was a slimming or sculpting aspect as mentioned in the explanation of services, but there was the promised relief of sore muscles and a rebalancing of the body.

Following the massage, I visited with spa director Daisy Tepper who says that the Tiaga Massage is proving to be the most popular of the new offerings. And in retrospect, I wish that I had not been squeamish about hot candle wax being poured onto my body. As Tepper explains, when heated the Tiaga massage candle transforms into a soft, warm massage oil that is dripped onto the skin to provide a hydrating, nourishing and silky finish to the body.

The Polynesian Stone Massage utilizes a blend of “tiara and jazmine” oils with warm stones in conjunction with specialized microcirculation techniques designed to relieve tension and aid in mental regrouping.

The Voyage of the Senses goes to the root of the aromatherapy with your choice of lavender blend, jasmine and tiare flower blend, mandarin orange blend, or the cedar, cypress and rosemary blend.

Post Oak Spa’s Yon-Ka Paris Rituals

The Yon-Ka Paris ritual therapies  include the Detox Bamboo Ritual, the Polynesian Ritual and the Mom to Be Ritual. All the treatments last 90 minutes and are priced at $365 each.

The spa also offers a Warm Tiaga Couples Ritual, a 90-minute service which begins with a gentle exfoliation and continues with the Tiaga Massage.