Slipping away from routine, Fernanda Langhammer headed to The Royal Spa for a day of physical and mental repose.
There is a new spa destination in Seef, The Royal Spa, which recently opened at the Royal Saray Resort – a pampering gem amidst the city’s buzz. Located in a separate building near Al Massarah Pool Bar, the spa offers a secluded and tranquil space with an array of top-notch treatments. As beauty experts, it was our duty to check it out.
I arrived at the hotel lobby and a golf cart took me to the spa premises. The reception is pristine white with a marbled floor and reception desk that looks grand with its Carrara style, mixing white with dark grey veins. The indirect yellow lights complement the ambience, creating an atmosphere of luxury and sophistication.
I was welcomed by Kelly, the Director of Spa and Recreation, who offered me ginger tea and an infused cold towel to freshen up while she explained the spa concept. She mentioned that The Royal Spa opened in January, and it offers two pools and experience showers (a unique connection to water) and uses Clarins products for all treatments. She also said something really interesting: there are no clocks anywhere. Time is precious and they want guests to sit back and relax while immersed in this haven of peacefulness and rejuvenation. With exclusive therapies, one of them is the combination of teas and treatments according to what the guest is looking for. Overall, Kelly wants to deliver individualised care that is results-driven with a sense of well-being.
After filling out a consultation form, I was introduced to Kim, my therapist; she then took me inside the spa area. I have to say that I was not expecting it to be so beautiful, but it is. There is an indoor pool and Jacuzzi in the middle of the space and a skylight allows the sunlight to bathe the area with light and warmth. Marble columns and Arabic arabesque arches connect them for a touch of majestic heritage. Stylish loungers surround the pool and the atmosphere is cosy yet sleek – what a magical feeling. There is also a semi-outdoor pool wholly covered with a glass ceiling to let the outside in.
I was then shown the changing area with a locker to leave my belongings, where I slipped into a fluffy robe and headed to my treatment room. The room had a striking 3D flower on the wall that caught my attention, and a comfy massage bed was in the centre, my refuge for the next two hours. Kim started with the Aroma Re-balancing full-body massage. As the name suggests, this therapy aims to re-balance the body, its muscles and its energy. It involves applying different techniques, from rubbing and percussion movements (striking a surface with quick, repetitive motions) to deep smoothing strokes performed with scented oil. The massage began on my right leg; with a gentle yet firm touch, she worked on my foot all the way up to my leg and then moved to the right side of my back. When she got to my arms, she was surprised by the amount of tension I carry there. When she shifted to the left side of my body, she discovered that not only my upper back and shoulders had deep knots, but both my arms were super stiff. She made sure to give them extra attention. I have to confess that until that day, I didn’t even know my arms were in such bad condition. However, she pressed a few points, making me want to cry a little. Yeah, that bad. She recommended more stretching and gave me a few other tips that I highly appreciated. In the end, it felt like she removed all the tension and even my mood changed – I guess feeling relaxed is also a mood lifter.
We then proceeded to the facial part of my spa day. The Bespoke Facial is highly personalised and caters to your skin’s needs. After analysing my complexion, Kim chose the products she would use, with the Clarins CryoFlash Cream-Mask being the protagonist. A 10-minute, icy-cold, gel-cream face mask, cryotherapy-inspired that uses cold to provide visibly firmer, glowing skin with a lifted effect. It also minimises the appearance of pores, boosts skin radiance and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles with continued use. I was excited to try this innovative treatment.
The first step was cleansing with Velvet Cleansing Milk made with Alpine golden gentian and lemon balm extracts, a very light and energising cleanser. She then used Pure Scrub, an exfoliating gel scrub with lava beads, which she massaged onto my face in rhythmic movements to unclog pores and remove excess sebum. The Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask was next. The cream is said to lower the skin temperature by around 14°C and the cooling effect was obvious along with a minty aroma. For me, it didn’t feel really cold, but it delivered a super fresh sensation that I have never felt before in any of the many facials I have experienced. I absolutely loved it. Kim left it acting for around 10 minutes. Meanwhile, she performed a relaxing scalp massage, applying pressure to key points. After removing the mask, she used a combination of serums: Hydra Comfort Supplement, V Shaping Facial Lift and Double Serum Eye (enter tailored care), and finalised the facial with Multi-Active day cream. Two things I like most about Clarins products are that they feel lightweight on the skin and smell incredible. I could feel my face tighter and when I looked in the mirror, it seemed renewed with a glowing shine. The refreshed feeling lingered on my complexion for a long time after – it was really like an instant lifting. It was a fantastic experience that I am looking forward to repeating.
If you want an escape where time is forgotten and your wellness is taken seriously, visiting The Royal Spa will help you embrace some memorable me-time.
For more information or to make a booking, please call
The Royal Spa at Royal Saray Resort on 1667 7775,
WhatsApp 6672 0030 or
email spa@royalsaray.com
@royalsaray