A sonic symphony of wellness: Amira Ragab embarked on an unforgettable spa experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.
The pursuit of ultimate relaxation often leads us down winding paths of luxurious spas, promising rejuvenation and tranquillity. I visited The RitzCarlton Spa, Bahrain, for a remarkable experience. Amidst the opulence and serenity of the place, I encountered a treatment unlike any other: the Ashmira Botanica Sonic Treatment, a groundbreaking experience making its debut on the island.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bahrain, invited Tracy Smith, the visionary behind Ashmira Botanica, to not only introduce this innovative treatment but also to personally train the therapists in these unique techniques. I was fortunate enough to be among the first to receive this bespoke treatment, administered by Tracy herself, using the brand’s premium, natural products.
From the moment I stepped into the spa, the atmosphere was one of refined calm. A warm welcome, accompanied by a refreshing herbal pomegranate tea and a cool towel, instantly eased the stresses of daily life. The spa’s ambience, a masterful blend of subtle lighting, calming music and scenic décor, effortlessly transported me to a realm of pure serenity.
Tania, the Assistant Spa Manager, greeted me with infectious enthusiasm, providing a clear overview of the treatment before introducing me to Tracy, whose warm smile and insightful knowledge immediately put me at ease. Her detailed explanation of the therapy, rooted in the principles of Chinese medicine and years of Ashmira Botanica’s meticulous research, piqued my interest. She explained that the treatment could be tailored to my birth year, skin type or emotional state, promising a truly bespoke experience.
As I entered the treatment room, the air was infused with the captivating aroma of juniper and lemon essential oils, a prelude to the sensory journey that lay ahead. The carefully selected music, composed by renowned sound healer Harriet Emily, created a meditative soundscape that further enhanced the tranquil ambience.
Tracy ensured my comfort before beginning the treatment, starting with the application of Harriet Emily’s Full Moon Soaking Spirit, developed in conjunction with Ashmira Botanica, an aura spray designed to cleanse and prepare the energy field. The gentle resonance of a Kenari, a unique sound instrument crafted from seed pods, was then washed over my body, and its subtle vibrations created a sense of deep relaxation. A warm mitt gently cleansed my hands and feet, preparing them for the acupressure that followed. Three deep breaths later, with my therapist’s gentle pressure on my kidney acupressure points on my feet, the treatment truly began.
The application of Ashmira Botanica’s Pink Yin Clay was a sensory delight. This exquisite blend of French pink clay, shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, sunflower oil and a harmonious mix of juniper, peppermint and rose essential oils, felt luxuriously soft against my skin. The warmth of Himalayan singing bowls played on my back and legs, created a deep resonating heat that permeated my body, relaxing muscles and calming the mind.
A meridian massage followed, using the Pink Yin Clay to re-energise, balance and unblock energy pathways. Tracy’s gentle strokes were mesmerising, each touch like the soft caress of a summer wave. The sensation was truly unforgettable, a profound sense of release and rejuvenation washing over me. The treatment continued with a comprehensive hour-long facial. A double cleanse, using a kaolin clay, sea buckthorn and aloe cleanser, followed by Rose Oil Cleanser, prepared my skin for exfoliation with ground rice.
A spritz of Organic Rose Hydrosol further refreshed and toned my skin before two massages – acupressure and a meridian/lymphatic/relaxing massage using a Yang aromatherapy blend of orange, rosemary and geranium – worked their magic.
The application of Yin and Yang masks, with their intriguing tingling sensations and alternating warmth and coolness, was followed by a soothing aloe gel mask. Silicone vacuum cups were then expertly used to drain toxins, stimulate lymphatic circulation and lift facial contours. A personalised Elemental Wood mask, chosen based on my birth year, containing green clay from France, shea butter, cocoa butter and essential oils of cedarwood, rosemary and basil, completed the facial. The resonant tones of crystal and Himalayan singing bowls once again enveloped me, amplifying the treatment’s restorative effects.
Finally, a rice cream, with its brightening and lightening properties and natural sun blocker, was applied, along with a drop of my personalised wood elixir, a bespoke blend of bergamot, cedarwood, basil and rose essential oils. A rose quartz roller massage completed the facial, leaving my skin feeling radiant and revitalised. The experience concluded with the gentle chimes of a small bell, a subtle yet effective way to bring me back to full consciousness, leaving me feeling profoundly refreshed and rejuvenated.
The Ashmira Botanica Sonic Treatment at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is more than just a spa service; it’s a holistic wellness journey, a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation. It’s an experience that transcends the ordinary, leaving you feeling deeply relaxed, revitalised and utterly transformed. It is, without a doubt, an experience I will not soon forget.
For more information or to make a booking, please call
The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain on 1758 6808.
@ritzcarltonbahrain