It’s not every day that you head to a five-star hotel to embark on a journey into ancient therapies. Fernanda Langhammer went to Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay to try the newly launched Ayurvedic treatments available at The Spa.
Our annual Ohlala Spa & Wellness Awards happened recently, and The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay received the acclaimed Spa of the Year 2024 award. This recognition is given to beauty havens that tick all the boxes when it comes to facilities, design, brands, highly trained professionals and a comprehensive spa menu – and The Spa has it all. One of their latest launches is an array of Ayurvedic treatments, proving their versatility by offering traditional methods in a high-end property.
I headed there to try the iconic Shirodhara, a classical Ayurveda therapy in which a herbal oil is poured on to your forehead while you lie on a special panchakarma massage bed made with teak wood, followed by an Indian head massage. They also offer a profound rejuvenation with Abhyanga, a full-body massage involving soaking the body in warm, signature herb-infused oils to relieve muscle aches and improve sleep quality.
Access to The Spa can be gained through an exclusive entrance from the car park and I find it very practical. At the spa reception, Myo greeted me with an Inner Glow drink made with watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, superberry blend, pearl powder, flaxseed and collagen – a boost of energy!
I drank it while filling out the form with my preferences and medical conditions. I was then taken to a cabana by the Azure pool, a beautiful setup that transports you to an ancient wellness practice environment with the special wood bed in the middle of the space. It was my first time at the cabana and its secluded location immediately put me in relaxation mode.
My therapist, Khezang, was waiting for me by the door with a lovely smile and in a calm voice she talked about the benefits of the therapy.
Shirodhara is said to have relaxing, soothing and calming effects on the body and mind. But the suggestion that it also eases insomnia and improves sleep quality caught my attention and made me look forward to it because my nights haven’t been the best lately. The 45-minute therapy starts with an upper back massage. After applying pressure on specific points and working on my stubborn knots, Khezang asked me to lie down facing up to start with the oil pouring. The Shirodhara oil is composed of sesame oil and cow’s milk and is poured in a constant flow for 30 minutes in the centre of the forehead. This point is related to the third eye and is connected to the pineal gland, helping to balance the brain waves and reducing mental stress.
When the first flow hit my forehead, I have to say that it felt very ticklish, but funny enough, after a while, I couldn’t even feel it anymore. And I can say that for the first time, my brain really relaxed during a spa session. I know many people even sleep when going for massages, but that never happens to me. My brain gets super active when my body rests and I keep making mental notes – not this time, though. The state of deep relaxation was incredible. The oil is warm and quite thick and the feeling of it oozing into my scalp was really comforting.
The 30-minute Indian head massage came next and for that, my therapist used pure coconut oil. This therapy works on acupressure points on the head, neck and shoulders based on the Ayurvedic healing system, which aims to rebalance the body’s energy. With a combination of kneading, circular motions and gentle strokes, I can say that it was one of the most comprehensive head massages I’ve ever had. The fact that I was already in deep relaxation helped me enjoy it even more.
After the treatment, I took a shower to remove the oil from my hair, and I felt that my super-dry tresses were feeling softer – my hair absorbed all the goodness from the oil and my crazy curls looked bouncier with no frizz. As the treatment also improves blood circulation, it is said to help with hair growth.
I headed back to the spa, where my choice of tea was waiting for me in the lounge space. The Spa has this sophisticated area behind the reception with comfy white sofas and tables bathed in natural light coming from the large windows. The lovely Director of Public Relations and Communications of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Tugce Goksel, joined me and we had a long chat about beauty and how amazing it is to have ancient therapies effortlessly offered in this luxurious property – a perfect marriage of tradition and excellence.
If you are looking for absolute deep relaxation, this is the treatment to go for! I have to report that the past two nights have been much better, so I will definitely go back for more sessions – having a good night’s sleep is priceless.
For more information or to make a booking,
please call The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay on 1711 5045
or email SpaReception.BAH@fourseasons.com
@fsbahrain