Indulgence is a wonderful thing. How we love to spend some time focusing simply on ourselves, placing the daily grind into the background and letting our cares fall away.

This is what happens at Paci Spa, ‘pa – chi’, (meaning ‘peace’), a delightful retreat on Canberra’s outskirts close enough to be easily reached, but far enough away from the bustle to ensure that birds and running water provide the soundtrack to your day.

Since launching in late 2012, the spa has played host to many Canberrans who are looking to treat themselves and reconnect with partners and friends to an experience that happens as much outside the spa as in the comforting yet classy interior.

Perched near the top of Ginninderra Falls with stunning views over the Murrumbidgee Gorge, Paci Spa welcomes guests with a feeling of vintage opulence while managing to feel very welcoming and calm. You can take some time to prepare for your treatment in the comfy leather couches or outside on the Tuscan-styled terrace – where you can bask in the sounds of nature, breathe in the expansive views or just bliss – out on a hammock and let the sounds of nature prevail.

The Paci Spa experience is unique for Canberra, an entirely different encounter to what first-time users might expect. You will escape through all of your senses with uSpa aromatherapy products, stunning views, perfumed gardens and steam towel ritual treatments, all beckoning you into the serenity of the spa. Your spa therapist’s aim is to provide a kinesthetic experience, and guests often remark that they ‘bliss out’ rather than simply relax – while others simply fall asleep!

Paci Spa features divine signature ritual packages, such as the half day ‘Lithos Thermal Treat’ offering a Balinese or hot rock massage, organic coco cream body melt wrap and concept facial. Or treat yourself to a ‘Lu’lur’ pre – wedding skin softening ceremony originally serving Javanese Royalty with a Balinese massage, antioxidant dry spice sprinkling and exfoliation followed by a full body hydration and jasmine facial anointing treatments based on differing traditions from around the world.

The products – uSpa from Melbourne – were developed with this in mind and are designed to take recipients through a ritual from start-to-finish, rather than simply delivering single products off a menu (that said, the steam towel facials are a must!). USpa is a bioactive, Australian range using highly effective elixirs, serums, aromatherapy muds and creams. Their products are gender neutral and no have no residue. Perfect.

With a growing apothecary garden that will continue to provide herbs and aromas for the treatments, Paci Spa is truly a wonderful, natural and essential indulgence. Be sure to make it a part of your next trip away from the rush of the city.