Black & Curvy Expat: How I Overcame My Challenging Spa Experiences

From Taking a Break to Regaining Spa Blissfulness

Going to the spa over the years has been bliss, minus the occasional lackluster service experiences. After enjoying unique, global spa experiences, I took a hiatus. It was not because of the stares or the obvious uneasiness of other spa guests.

Nor was it the random treatment from the spa staff because I was the only #black. Once I was at the spa or in the lounge, the glares did not stop me from the refreshing energy I got from my couple of hours of pampering.

So why did I take a break?

Over the years of going to the #spa, my body and figure had changed. I had gone from average to plus-size. It was one such occasion in December 2012, in the tropical paradise of the Maldives, when my full-figured, curvaceous body did not fit into a robe.

And the spa staff made matters worse by body-shaming me. You see, I no longer fit the typical size spa robe, sarong, or slippers most spas issue to their guests. So, for a few years, I took a break from one of my favorite guilty pleasures while living and traveling abroad.

Then came my first trip to #Bali in 2015 while living in Singapore. I have been yearning to return to the tranquillity of a spa and the relaxation of having a massage. I anxiously booked an appointment at the luxury spa in my hotel. My inner being was hoping my experience would not be negative.

To my delight, it was not.

After checking in, I was escorted to the ladies' changing room and given my locker and my accessories.

The attendant asked me to “wait a while.” Looking puzzled, I replied, “Okay.”

She returned a few minutes later with a robe. She already knew the robe in my locker was not going to be a comfortable fit. When I inquired, she had taken a robe from the men’s side of the spa.

Their robes were bigger and no different, as all the robes were made from the same fabric and in the same…