With hundreds of spa options available across the city, we checked out some of the best choices
To escape the stresses of everyday life working in Abu Dhabi, the city has developed a burgeoning spa scene, where hard-working residents can get away from the daily grind, and relax and re-energise their mind, body and spirit.
The Abu Dhabi Week team checked out some of the exotic treatments on offer here in the capital, picking out five of our favourites.
St. Regis Iridium Spa
‘Recommended for those seeking rejuvination’, states the menu listing at Iridium Spa at the glamourous St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
The Ancient Traditional Thai massage at the beautiful facility promises 90 minutes of restorative attention from the skilled practitioners. And it does not disappoint.
After a traditional tea ritual, served by the spa attendant who would guide me through the entire Iridium experience, the attentive Nisal from Sri Lanka, I was escorted to the luxuriously appointed changing area. After slipping into spa robes, I was taken to meet my massage therapist, Thidarat.
Bringing all her traditional skills with her from Phuket, Thidarat conducted a relaxed and gentle ritual foot wash, before beginning the treatment.
The decor, soft music and delicate aromas in the treatment room generated a calming ambiance, blanketing my senses to allow Thidarat to work her magic.
After the massage was over, feeling relaxed, I was escorted by Nisal to the other facilities on offer.
A 20-minute steam room experience (steamy) was followed by 15 minutes in a warm whirlpool (broily). A hot room was next, heated tiled seats to press yourself into whilst slathering yourself in crushed ice (chilly), followed by a 20-minute sauna (boiling).
Then the coup de grace; a plunge into a freezing pool (blanchy). The rapid temperature changes were sharply invigorating, with the result an energised and revitalised feeling.
My chosen treatment at Iridium was not cheap (the Thai massage was AED 700), but the overall experience was exceptional, from door-to-door. While other, cheaper options are available, a trip to the St. Regis is heartily recommended. Contact: 02 498 8996
CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La
Opting for the hour-long Thai massage at CHI was quite possibly the very best way to start my weekend. Welcomed with some ginger tea, I was led through the luxurious spa and into the treatment room for sixty minutes of sheer bliss and relaxation.
The masseuse, well practiced in the art of Thai massage from her home country, kneaded, stretched, and compressed my body with expert attention. Deep knots lying dormant in my back muscles were pummeled into submission. Normally after sitting in the office for a week my shoulders, neck and back are rigid and feel tense and sore. By the end of my massage, these areas were like soft putty and I felt refreshed and invigorated.
Thai massages can be quite forceful for the uninitiated, but my therapist regularly checked that she was applying the correct pressure and that any stretching movements never became painful.
With atmospheric music in the room, calm lighting and a perfectly administered massage, it was like entering into a hypnotic trance for an hour of total pleasure.
There are a variety of massages available at CHI including Indian head massage, hot stones massage, reflexology, facials and a large choice of body therapies including body scrubs and wraps.
If you fancy an hour or two of total indulgence, book a treatment at CHI, The Spa, you will not be disappointed.
A 60-minute Thai massage costs AED 600 and can be booked on 02 509 8900
Heavenly Spa, The Westin
When a spa calls itself ‘Heavenly’ visitors have certain expectations. As I step into Heavenly Spa at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, I already feel more relaxed, surrounded by natural wood, rustic stone and earthy greens.
But it will take a lot more than this for me to feel heavenly. As I meet with the therapist, Heena, she asks about concerns that I would like to tackle. I’m already impressed with her manner, which is both knowledgeable and informative as she addresses my skin dehydration and pigmentation concerns.
The therapists here pride themselves on offering tailor-made treatments to ensure each client will see the results they want. With that in mind, Heena recommends a combination of two treatments to get rid of dead skin and wrap my skin in moisture.
I begin with a 15-minute session in the steam room to open up the pores before heading to the treatment room. The tropical body scrub is invigorating; the aroma of passion fruit and mango takes me to a Caribbean island. After a shower I am massaged with a fragrant anti-ageing body balm, which leaves my skin feeling silky and fresh. Finishing off in the ladies lounge with homemade ginger and lemongrass tea, I find am definitely in Heaven. For more info call: 02 616 9770
InterContinental Ritual
Looking for a truly indulgent treat to relieve ourselves after a stressful workweek, we headed over to the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. We opted for the Body Dreams Ritual, a decadent two-hour treatment that is meant to revitalise and revive.
After arriving at the Health Club we discover there’s been some new additions to the space. Featuring two new treatment rooms, a private consultation space, and relaxation area – the new facilities set the tone for the tranquil treatment to come.
First up is a full body scrub, meant to slough off excess dry skin while also increasing circulation, we can’t help but relax in the expert hands of our therapist Jimmie. Scrubbing every nook and cranny, we’re delighted to discover the scrub isn’t painful at all and rather feels more like a massage.
After a quick shower we are then back on the table to have a cooling rose gel massaged into our skin. As the ultra-hydrating gel is kneaded into our limbs we are like putty in our therapist’s hands. She manages to release any lingering tension we’ve stored in our muscles simply with her fingertips.
Following the hour-long massage Jimmie takes care to tuck a sheet of plastic around us, wrapping us up like a burrito, to keep the moisture and heat in. Tucked into our toasty wrap the treatment is finished with a 25-minute express facial. Completely refreshed – from head to toe – we leave the hotel with silky smooth skin and a glowing complexion. What’s not to love?
The treatment costs AED 500, inclusive of sauna and Jacuzzzi use. Contact: 02 666 6888
Point Zero Lifestyle Change package
We must admit that before entering the Point Zero Floatation Centre, we had our reservations about lying in a small pool of salty water for an hour, a fat-reducing massage and steam blanket session. But after 15 minutes of the “zero gravity” floatation, our opinion quickly changed.
Before your first appointment, Dr Asma will conduct a consultation to fully understand your current lifestyle and diet. The idea is that with diet guidance from the team along with scheduled treatments, you will not only lose weight but also find a true balance mentally and physically. So let’s put on our swimmers and dive in.
The warm water of the floatation tank with its specially selected salts allowed us to float as if in outer space, letting our muscles completely relax. The option of ambient lighting and music was available at the click of a button; we suggest trying without to allow your mind to completely switch off.
Our therapist, Jay then focused on the areas in which most clients suffer from cellulite – the stomach and thighs. A hot ginger oil is thoroughly rubbed in to our skin before a hard-pressure slapping, hand-wiping motion ensued. With this treatment, your skin becomes tighter as the fatty cells are broken down and become softer.
The heat blanket quite simply is a space-aged duvet that makes you sweat for 30 minutes or more (depending how far along you are in you programme).
After a final shower and a refreshing cup of herbal tea, we felt calm, our skin tighter and generally quite energetic. Had we lost weight? Not after one treatment. This is a designed for more than one session with the option of four, eight and 12 session packages available. Starting from AED 700.
For more details call: 02 445 5775 or visit: www.pointzerofloatation.com
