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Looking for a no-frills but friendly foot rub in Sheung Wan? You could do worse than Power Foot.
Power Foot is situated just at the end of Hollywood Road. I've passed this place dozens of times but finally decided to pop in last weekend. The shop seems to be run by three middle age ladies in sweatpants, and there's a cat on a leash behind the counter. In short, no funny business here! Just a main room for foot massages with six comfy purple chairs, white tile floors, a TV on moderately low volume, and piles of trashy Chinese gossip magazines (as well as English copies of Time) to flip through. There are three tiny rooms situated just off the main room for full-body massages. Because the shop is close to the street, there is noise from traffic and pedestrians outside, so if you are looking for absolute silence, or even calming relaxing music, this is not the place for you. When I was there, most of the other customers were women, although there was one man getting a foot rub.
The menu of services here is limited: Foot massage ($148 for 50 mins), body massage ($198 for 50 mins), Ear candle ($148, 40 mins), manicure ($120) Shanghai-style trim pedicure (i.e., no polish, $198). The place seemed clean, if not brand-spanking new. The live plants and a fish tank lend a homey feel.
I opted for the foot rub, and my masseuse, who spoke very basic English, brought me a cup of tea. She fetched a cedar bucket (lined with plastic bag) filled with brownish warm water (it seemed to be an herbal concoction of some sort). After a 10 minute soak, she brought warm towels (bonus points for warm towels), dried my feet, applied foot creme to my feet and calves and began the massage. She began with light stretches of the foot and ankle and a bit of a shin rub. Then she homed in on the soles of my feet, working mainly with her knuckles. The pressure was good -- not to hard and not too soft. After about 10 minutes I really started to relax when she began rubbing between my toes. This is also when she started turning around to watch the TV, but I have to concede she did keep rubbing with the same vigor. Later a friend of hers popped into the shop for a chat, and she kept up the massage even as she talked for about five minutes. So if you require undivided attention from your foot masseuse, Power Foot may not fit your bill.
She rubbed for a full 55 minutes (and I was happy to see that the 10 minute soak was not included in the time). The massage finished with warm towels on my shins and feet, and a second cup of tea. With a $20 tip, my bill came to $168.
Final thought: Don't go out of your way for Power Foot, but if you are nearby and just need a quick rubdown, this place is fine.
Power Foot, 88 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Map. 2915 2298. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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