We all have our regular nail salon and our favourite spot for a massage or facial. But what about having it all under one roof? Abu Dhabi Week indulges in a range of treatments without having to hotfoot it all over the city ...
Some things should definitely not be shared with men. We’re not being greedy, but a day of pampering is certainly more fun without the men folk delving in and stealing our appointment spaces. Metrosexual is fine by us – but not when it’s interfering with our beauty regime.
Which is why I was intrigued to see what the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club is all about. Discreetly tucked away around the corner from Emirates Palace, the ladiesonly venue offers everything from sports activities to poolside lounging, plus a hair and nail salon, a spa and even a dining area. The result – a full day of leisure in various forms without any taxi-hopping.
I arrive in my usual state: hot, dishevelled and slightly stressed. Luckily I’m instantly swooped off to Sisley Spa at the ladies club and prepared for my first treatment – a Moroccan bath.
I’m visualising rose petal scattered water, candles and a warm tub with bath salts. So I’m a little surprised when I’m asked to de-robe and left to lie down in a large steam room.
After 10 minutes of sweating, I’m joined by a beautician and hosed down with warm water before being gently washed. Being washed by someone else is a strange sensation, and it makes me feel a little like a child again. But in practice it’s very soothing, almost massage-like, and I’m almost nodding off as I’m asked to turn over while the process is repeated.
The next step is slightly less gentle as the beautician dons a large exfoliating glove and begins rather firmly brushing my skin. And with some success too: as I sit up to be rinsed once again, I watch the dead skin wash off to reveal a fresh, new and softer layer.
My treatment ends with a hair wash and a smothering of rose scented moisturiser to add to the new-found smoothness of my skin.
I feel the need to match my newly beautified skin with some attention to hair and nails, so I head a short distance in the direction of Nails Avenue. That’s the beauty salon at the Club, and again the service is instantaneous – I’m greeted warmly and led straight to a chair for a manicure and pedicure.
My hands and feet are soon resplendent in a neat, matching coat of colour and I’m finally sat down for a hair mask – the ultimate treatment for replenishing frayed locks. A quick wash and a deep conditioning mask from Schwarzkopf is massaged into my hair; I’m positioned under a rather large bowl that heats and steams while I contentedly flick through a magazine or two.
A few hours of complete selfindulgence and I leave feeling (and possibly even looking) like a whole  new woman. The Abu Dhabi Ladies Club steps up from making a trip to the beauticians merely a service and instead makes it affordable and desirable – and my now regular luxury.
What? Abu Dhabi Ladies Club
Where? Corniche Rd West, past Emirates Palace
Why? Pure indulgence made simple and accessible
Why not? You may leave, having neglected your watch, to realise it’s dark outside ...
How much? Yearly membership AED4,500. Beauty treatments: prices on request and dependent on membership status
Rated:
Contact: 02 666 2228

[writer]Charlie Kennedy

 

[Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 14]