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Reporter Mai Al Khatib-Camille puts the Heavenly Spa by Westin to the test after a busy week in the office. Her trip to the City Centre Bahrain hotel challenges the brand’s boast that it will ensure guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. Its team of therapists and masseuses promise visitors a journey of tranquility and rejuvenation with a range of treatments within its 10 sweet-smelling rooms.
THE CHOICES are all tempting. One of the most popular packages – the 120-minute Special Moments Hammam, allows guests the opportunity to escape the overstimulation of the real world and enter an ancient world of tranquility and tradition.
It begins with a Turkish Hammam experience followed by a special body mask and often concludes with a relaxing massage or a deep-cleansing facial.
Another firm favourite is the 165-minute Fire & Water Ritual, which begins with a gentle sea-salt exfoliating scrub to help shed dead skin cells and promote cell renewal. Next, if desired, comes a soft or deep tissue massage, followed by acupressure to rebalance the body, mind and soul. The package culminates in a harmonising Aromatherapy Associates’ facial that apparently leaves your skin radiant and glowing.
It’s all very tempting.
Since I was looking for more of a rejuvenating experience, I opted for the Energise Scrub, followed by an Aspire Massage, using ‘natural’ aromatherapy oils, of course.
After ticking off the pre-treatment form that I suffered from no allergies and stresses what body points I needed focussing on, my lovely masseuse escorted me to the ladies locker room to get in a giant fluffy white robe before starting the treatment.
Before moving on to the longed-for rub down, my therapist explained that a steam would be a great way to open up my pores prior to a scrub.
The steam experience alone proved so relaxing that she could have left me in there for hours and I wouldn’t have minded.
But she had prepared a delicious lemon ginger tea and biscuits to hydrate me before starting my treatment, so the intervention was welcome.
The treatment room was warm and smelled of lavender. I could feel the tension melting away even before she touched me.
The scrub was fantastic. The aromatherapy body-wash and natural exfoliating olive grains were customised to my skin type. The smell was amazing and my skin was left feeling smooth and supple.
Afterwards, another helping of tea and biscuits arrived on my therapy bedside and I was left alone for a short while to chill.
Within a few minutes, my massage began, concentrating, as requested, on my shoulders and lower back.
In my case, a ‘de-stress’ oil was used, a blend of rosemary, black pepper, lavender and ginger essential oils. According to my therapist, the benefits include deep relaxation of the muscles, improved blood circulation and ‘rebalancing of the body and mind’.
I almost dozed off a few times because it truly was relaxing and I understood why the spa is called heavenly because my masseuse must have been an angel brought down to cure me of all ailments.
After 60 minutes of being on cloud nine, I was brought back to reality with the sound of a gong.
She then took me to the relaxation room for you guessed it ... more relaxation, tea and biscuits.
I left the premises in a surreal state, feeling energised from the scrub and relaxed from the massage.
According to Sana Ahmed, the Heavenly Spa manager, the aim is to provide visitors with an uplifting, serene and sensory experience.
The spa features designated male and female zones, including a beautifully-appointed couple’s spa suite and according to Miss Ahmed, the largest Turkish Hammam bath in Bahrain.
All treatment rooms include a bathroom with White Tea Heavenly bath amenities so that guests can prepare for their services and shower and dress in complete privacy.
She said: “Throughout the Heavenly Spa experience, we try to touch our guests across seven senses: the five physical senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and scent, as well as the psychological senses of emotion and meaning.
“This is a place to recover and rejuvenate and come out feeling renewed. We want our guests to leave the spa, not only feeling physically better, but with a fresh outlook on life, with new insights and a sense of clarity about where they are going, what they wish to accomplish and what they value.
“We welcome all GulfWeekly readers to experience Heavenly Spa by Westin and surrender to an environment of tranquillity. The Heavenly Spa provides you with a world of rejuvenation where our professional therapists help you to relax, recharge and get back to your ‘best self’.”
* The spa is open daily from 10am to 10pm. For treatment prices and further details, contact heavenlyspa.bahrain@westin.com, call 17171122 or visit www.westinbahraincitycentre.com
