With soaring temperatures wreaking havoc on her skin and body, Bushra Hakim found sweet relief at Serene Spa.
Summer has arrived and, with it, all the skin problems it tends to bring along. I drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, but when the temperatures start hitting the 40s, no amount of water seems to help. These scorching days do more than drain your energy, they dry out your skin, tighten your muscles and make your whole body feel like it’s been wrung out. Add long hours hunched over a desk and you’ve got yourself the perfect recipe for disaster. Thankfully, living on Amwaj Islands means I’m surrounded by some of the best resorts in the country. So, I figured it would be the right time to try out the Serene Spa at The Art Hotel & Resort.
Walking through the grand, sunlit lobby, I made my way to the first floor, where the spa is located. The moment the elevator doors opened, I was greeted with a warm, wooden space and a full-length window looking out onto the glittering blue sea. The view alone felt like therapy. Mae, the Spa Supervisor, welcomed me with a smile, and I was introduced to Devi, my therapist for the day.
After filling out a quick form for my massage and facial preferences, I was guided down a long corridor lined with treatment rooms. They offer everything from Moroccan baths to nail services, but I was here for two particular things: a targeted massage and a skin reset.
The treatment room was dim, spacious and complete with its own bathroom. I changed, stowed away my belongings in the locker and laid on the bed, stomach down, ready for the Body, Neck and Shoulder, Head massage. This particular treatment is ideal if you’re short on time or simply want someone to focus on all the tension without going for a full-body experience.
Devi started with a dry massage to gently stretch out my limbs and wake up the muscles. She has strong hands and great technique, so when you ask for medium pressure, that’s exactly what you get. None of those halfhearted strokes that leave you needing to ask for more. Once my back and shoulders had been thoroughly worked on, she applied organic lemongrass-scented oil and moved on to my legs, working all the way up my body. Her touch was both firm and fluid, smoothing out the knots in my back with just enough intensity to leave me feeling a bit sore in the best possible way. She then washed the oil off her hands and began a scalp massage, and I genuinely think that moment alone was worth coming in for. It was calming, grounding and left me completely relaxed.
Then came the bit I was most looking forward to, the facial. I opted for the Hydration Corrector Facial by Thalgo. Designed for dry and tired skin, it uses a combination of products, massages and machines to exfoliate, hydrate and help the skin absorb all the good stuff more effectively.
Devi assessed my skin and got to work. She began by spritzing the Reviving Marine Mist into the air and gently over my face. It had a clean, aquatic scent that instantly made me feel like I could breathe a little deeper. She removed whatever was left of my make-up with the Express Makeup Remover, followed by a double cleanse using the Gentle Cleansing Milk. The way she massaged it made the cleansing step feel more like a treatment in itself rather than a part of it.
She then applied the Gentle Exfoliator, which was grainy but not harsh, and I could physically feel the weight of the dead skin and buildup being lifted. This was followed by the use of an ultrasonic spatula on my congested areas, paired with the Exfoliating Lotion. The device buzzed softly against my skin, helping clear out blackheads and refine texture without any pain or redness. Once my skin was fully prepped, she applied the Corrective Treatment Cream using a wand that delivered ultrasonic waves to help the product sink in deeper. Every product had its own beautiful scent and nothing irritated my sensitive skin, which I was happy about.
Mixing the Oligo-Marine Powder with the Oligo Mineral Lotion, Devi created a cool, rubbery mask that was spread evenly across my face. While the mask set, she didn’t just wait around; she used the time to massage my hands and décolletage with a thick, buttery cream. It was such a lovely bonus, like a little gift within the facial.
Once the mask was removed, Devi followed with the Spiruline Boost Serum, working it into my skin with long, sweeping motions that almost made me fall asleep. This was followed by the Multi-Nutri Cream, thick and cool to the touch, which she used to give my face one final massage, finishing with a brightening moisturiser, SPF 50 and a light eye cream.
I must have drifted off towards the end because I was gently nudged awake with the softest voice letting me know the treatment was complete. Devi told me to take my time getting up and asked what I’d like to drink. I opted for green tea and got dressed slowly, still half in a daze.
As I passed the mirror on my way out, I did a double take. My skin was visibly glowing, soft to the touch and plumped with hydration. That dull, tired look I’d walked in with was gone. I sipped my tea slowly in the reception lounge, the sea view still glittering outside, with not a single thought in my mind about deadlines or emails. It’s amazing what a few hours in the right hands can do. I left feeling restored, my skin revived and my mind quieter than it had been in weeks.
For more information or to make a booking, please call Serene Spa at The Art Hotel & Resort on 1600 0111.
@theart.bh