With us all looking for a way to escape the hot weather, OHLALA’s editor visited Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain for a chilled experience at the Wellness Spa Villa.
Summer is that time of the year that we kind of dread in this part of the world. It means sweltering days, extreme humidity and no outdoor activities – September is well-known for being quite stuffy. We keep looking for things to do, and there is no better way to beat the heat than to embark on pampering spa sessions. Wellness Spa Villa at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain has a great selection of packages perfectly tailored for this time of the year. I headed there to try the Soothing Summer Retreat, a therapeutic and rejuvenating 60-minute treatment with cold volcanic stones and an aloe vera wrap.
I have to say that I love the drive to that part of the island; there is no traffic, and the roads lead you to a peaceful, elegant and green destination. It is a fantastic way to leave behind the noise and buzzing of the city, which can be draining. A feature that I really like is the hotel lobby; the décor, seating display and greenery are so welcoming. The good thing is that even if you just go for a spa treatment, you must pass through this spectacular space.
I was lucky enough to be taken to the Wellness Spa Villa by Moutaz, the Front Office Manager; we had a nice chat on the way in the buggy. Anudeep, the Spa & Wellness Supervisor, was by the villa door, waiting for me with his wide smile. After drinking my welcome juice and filling out the consultation form, I was taken to one of the rooms to start my spa journey.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the space yet, it is a villa transformed into a wellness retreat. It has an inviting pool in the centre surrounded by comfortable loungers and modern outdoor furniture in tones of sand and white, with green and gold accents, giving a great vibe to the ambience. The three treatment rooms are very private, each with its own full bathroom. My room had a bubbly bathtub decorated with pink rose petals, a cute touch.
The skilled therapists deliver advanced treatments using exclusive products by Dr Burgener Switzerland. It is the only spa on the island offering this ultra-technological brand that marries science and natural ingredients with mastery. Well-known for providing the latest in skincare, Dr Burgener Switzerland at Wellness Spa Villa is used in an array of procedures and signature treatments that pay homage to the Middle East and Bahrain’s rich heritage – a hallmark of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain.
Yonne was my therapist for the day and started the session with the foot ritual, in which she scrubbed and bathed my feet in a copper bowl filled with warm water and rose petals. We then moved to the massage bed. She asked me to face down as the focus of this package is a comprehensive back massage done with cold volcanic stones. It was my first time undergoing this kind of therapy; they are usually hot, but when chilled, they have a different purpose. When bathed in ice cubes, the smooth, round rocks increase blood circulation, reduce inflamed swelling, help to reduce cellulite and act as a powerful decongestant for the body. Unlike ice treatments, cold stones don’t cause skin numbness, allowing the therapist to work deeply and for longer in the critical points. And I have to say that I do have a lot of very bad areas in my back. I asked for medium pressure and Yonne worked wonders on my knots – I felt my whole back more relaxed when she finished.
I then sat on the bed to start the second part of the package: the aloe vera and banana leaf wrap application. The treatment is the perfect remedy for sun-kissed and sensitive skin; it helps to calm the complexion and promote deep hydration. I have to confess that I went to the pool recently and didn’t apply sunscreen, which I am usually very particular about. But that day, I thought I was not staying long and it wouldn’t be a problem – don’t ever assume that. The result was an unpleasant sunburn, so I was happy when I learned about the benefits of this package. The first contact of the gel with my skin was a bit of a shock as it was super cold, but after Yonne placed the banana leaf, it started to warm up and felt quite pleasant. Banana leaf has an anti-oxidant property, which is excellent for its anti-ageing effect and general skin issues. If you like cooling treatments, this would be perfect for you; it is also a fantastic way to find relief from the heat.
After covering my whole body with aloe vera gel and banana leaves, Yonne enveloped me with a blanket. While we waited for it to do its job, she gave me a relaxing head massage, pressuring some key points to help relieve stress and reduce tension. She then removed the leaves and told me that, for the best results, I should keep the gel on my skin for a few hours. If you want to experience this unique treatment, don’t miss out on the opportunity; the package is valid until September 30.
It was time to say goodbye, but not before having a lovely warm tea and dried fruits to complete the pampering journey. And because I was already there, I passed by Ycone Paris, Chef ’s Yazid Ichemrahen’s café, to take some marvellous sweets home. It was a day all to myself and ending it on a sweet note was one of the greatest ideas I have had in a long time.
For more information or to make a booking, please call
Wellness Spa Villa at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain on 6666 2126.
@rafflesalareenpalace.bahrain