Pampered: Refreshing touch of tradition

I'm led down the corridor to the relaxation room to await my treatment. I take a seat in the dark, quiet room, lit only by soft candlelight and ornate Arabian lanterns casting shadows on the wall behind me. Immediately, I feel at ease and the dusty sandpit of construction just outside seems a world away. The recently opened Saray Spa at the Marriott Hotel offers traditional Arabian treatments inspired by those once offered at roadside inns, where travellers relaxed their sore muscles after a long journey.

My friendly and knowledgeable therapist Sarah M. welcomes me to the spa and offers some green tea (strange, not mint?). I am there to try the Milk and Honey Immersion. Sarah guides me to the treatment room and explains that the treatment dates back nearly 5,000 years. She begins with an oatmeal and orange-oil scrub to exfoliate and revitalise the skin.

Sarah continues with a gentle massage with milk and honey to soften the skin and finishes with a rose-oil massage. The full treatment finishes with a hot-stone massage. Truly relaxing and a miracle for my skin. Just days ago I was complaining about how dry my skin was feeling — not anymore.

The small changing area has a steam room, sauna and a Jacuzzi. The space is outfitted with everything you might need but if you are looking for some serious opulence or a venue where you can go with a large group of friends, this might not be quite what you are looking for.

That said, the reason you are there is for the treatments and the interesting array has something for everyone. Choose from treatments with Arabian coffee, lemon with mint, spiced pomegranate and Moroccan yoghurt, and you will certainly walk away feeling refreshed and relaxed.