Exotic journeys for spa junkies
Spa junkies can now treat themselves to a host of theme-based beauty therapies that recreate a feel of spectacular destinations
DUBAI: A feel of the fresh ocean, a mystical stint in the desert, a tropical rainforest adventure … spa treatment is no longer a one-type-fits-all experience. It's all about choice as themed spa journeys are introduced by an upmarket spa in Dubai.
Adding to an already extensive menu since its launch in 2009, the Thai Privilege Spa on Al Wasl Road offers an exotic set of themed treatments to pick from. Each reflects a different environment, right from the setting, background music and scents in the air to the ingredients — various oils, scrubs and blends — that are used.
Pamper yourself
"You no longer have to travel miles to reach a spa destination," says Deepa B. Dhavjekar, the spa's general manager, pointing to a set of four different themed packages that you can pick from (see box).
"Each has its own benefits," she said, adding that gift certificates for the spa packages — at Dh650 each — are very popular.
I went in for the Oriental Fresh Ocean Journey package that proved to be a refreshing treat. At her courteous best, one of the 15 trained therapists led me into my appointed room — the VIP room as it turned out — on the first floor after I had downed a glass of chilled coconut water downstairs.
As I entered the VIP room, soft strains of far Eastern music played in the background with a hologram recreating the ripple effect of the ocean blues on top. The squeaky-clean Sarahnbed was very welcoming, a Benjarong (Thai ceramic) tray with a host of oriental mixes ready at one end.
My treatment began with a foot wash of tamarind and salt that did the cleansing, even as scents of coconut and lavender wafted through the suite.
Now I was ready to be transported to the oriental beaches as I lay down on my spa bed. My therapist began a deep exfoliation of the dead skin cells in my body by using a coconut and hibiscus-based scrub. It took a good half an hour following which I had a quick herbal shower.
Next came the body massage with soothing lavender-based oil. This was followed by a thorough head massage with hot coconut oil to nourish my hair. I could have remained there forever.
"We will now go down for a hair wash and blow dry," the therapist's gentle voice interrupted me. What followed was a deep conditioning wash at the in-house salon, even as my body continued to enjoy a massage — this time by the hair wash chair.
I was then ready for a blow dry, my journey ending with a super-chilled coconut jelly. There was warm ginger tea too if I wanted.
The two-and-a-half hours I had spent at the spa were well worth it. I felt completely rejuvenated.
Themes to Try
All themes at the Thai Privilege Spa include a foot wash, body scrub, herbal soak/shower, body and head massage and topped off with a hair wash and blow dry. Each takes around two-and-a-half hours and costs Dh650.
Tropical Rainforest
- Setting: Feel of bamboo trees with scents of mandarin and tangelo wafting in
- Foot scrub: Tamarind and sandalwood
- Body scrub and soak: Fruit (mango) and bamboo-based
- Body massage: Eucalyptus and lavender oil
- Benefits: Antioxidants in mango-butter scrub keeps skin young; a good guard against pollution and sun. Finely milled bamboo powder used as exfoliate in cleansers and scrubs is ideal for sensitive skin and helps in its restoration
Mystical Desert
- Setting: Ancient Arabic tunes play against a background of the Sahara sands. You can smell traditional bukhoor and attar scents
- Foot scrub: Sandalwood and tamarind
- Body scrub and soak: Date and honey blended with camel milk
- Body massage: Rose-based Moroccan oils
- Benefits: The scrub with salt sloughs off dead skin cells, moisturises it and leaves it smooth. Honey is an incredible antioxidant and cleanser and is rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Camel milk has vitamin B, C and iron and is a natural source of alpha-hydroxyacids, which plumps the skin to smooth fine lines
Mediterranean Ocean
- Setting: Effect of the Mediterranean shores with music from the region
- Foot scrub: Sandalwood and tamarind
- Body scrub: Dead Sea salts, sea weed and butter
- Body massage: Dead Sea bath soak combines sea salts, marina extracts, essential oils of cedar wood, grapefruit and peppermint
- Benefits: Salts contain brown algae which eliminates toxins and red algae, which is an excellent skin conditioner
Oriental Fresh Ocean
- Setting: Eastern shores with far Eastern music wafting in the backdrop
- Foot wash: Sandalwood and tamarind
- Body scrub and soak: Coconut and hibiscus-based
- Body massage: Lavender oil
- Benefits: Coconut scrub is a rich exfoliating paste which protects the skin. Hibiscus mucilage maintains skin hydration and carries anti-oxidants
