New Emirates Palace Spa a breath of fresh air for skin, body and mind

Kara Martin 15:33 13/11/2014
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  • The new Emirates Palace Spa's state of the art facilities are a must visit

    They say trying a Moroccan Hammam treatment is something to check off your list when you visit the Middle East, but despite sticking around these parts for seven years, in that time I never saw any appeal in being given a thorough scrub and shower from a stranger.

    In fact, in general, I am not a spa enthusiast.

    However, the re-launched spa at Emirates Palace took to task at persuading me otherwise this week.

    “Trends have changed over the last couple of years, and visiting the spa has now become necessary to maintain a balanced lifestyle,” says Hannah Dowd, their spa director. “This change has brought about the need for traditional spa experiences, which incorporate relaxing and sensory spa elements, to deliver results. We are focusing on bringing together the best spa practices with the best global skincare technology through personalised, targeted treatments for every guest.”

    I have been in these palatial passageways before, for a massage review back when they belonged to the Anantara Spa brand. They are similarly as gorgeous today – one of the most mellowing, opulent Oriental-inspired spa settings I have ever set foot in.

    But Emirates Palace have taken over proceedings: new services – a designated manicure and pedicure salon featuring products from leading podiatric beautician Bastien Gonzalez, and a gentlemen’s corner for barber and grooming services from luxury UK establishment Gentlemen’s Tonic; new products most fitting of the five-star hotel – regal skincare and massage ranges from Forlle’d and Amra featuring precious elements such as gold, diamond and pearl, as well as caviar.

    With all the new glamorous additions, they’ve managed to retain the traditional and their cavernous, luxurious tiled Moroccan Hammam suite still forms the heart of the spa. Here’s how we spent our time there.

    Hammam, which means ‘bath’ in Arabic, was originally adapted from the Roman baths and quickly became a popular experience in the Arab world, both as a public place for a deep clean and a good gossip with friends.

    Naturally, the external benefits are to eliminate dirt and harmful bacteria from the skin’s pores through steaming, heating, and the application of a strong eucalyptus soap, followed by deep exfoliation. It is meant to be toning and firming on the skin too.

    Internally, alongside the warmth, scents, and sounds of bubbling, flowing water, used in the treatment helping to soothe the mind, a Hammam treatment is good at assisting with some respiratory issues, increasing blood circulation, and even toxin elimination. It’s not your average shower.

    Lying on a large marble slab in the littlest of garments, the treatment typically starts with a slathering on of a black soap made with olive and eucalyptus oils, which combine to cleanse and soften, as well as dilate the pores to further help eliminate toxins when you later enter the steam room (three times for a total of 30 minutes).

    Eucalyptus has a strong influence on breathing and easing respiratory ailments such as colds, coughs, allergies, bronchitis, throat infections, asthma, and sinus problems. It can help regenerate lung tissue, and aid in the whole breathing process. It stimulates red blood cell functioning, increasing the oxygen supply to every cell in the body. Another healthy and beneficial element of any Hammam treatment is the constant visits, in between product layering and body scrubbing and polishing, to the steam room, a good regular practice as it induces sweat or secretion, which can help unclog your pores and allow the skin to naturally breathe.

    With the increase in blood flow that heat causes –  and more blood means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the cells, which accelerates the repair of tissue damaged through exercise – toxins are eliminated from the body, along with any additional water you may be retaining.

    Ironically, by not being able to breathe very well while steaming – big, deep breaths – steam rooms improve your breathing, as well as alleviate any congestion. The wet heat from the room thins and opens the mucous membranes in the body, which helps to relieve the pressure; great for sufferers of asthma and bronchitis.

    Steam therapy has also been associated with strengthening the immune system, but at the same time can be very dehydrating – but plenty of bottled water was provided during sessions.

    In between steams, I was rinsed and scrubbed thoroughly by the therapist using a slightly rough exfoliating mitt (you get to keep it after, perfect in the shower) and received huge doses of ghassoul, AKA rassoul mud in the form of a mask all over the body. Chock full of sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are all beneficial not just as a facial beauty tool, but also as a general detoxifying and nourishing skin conditioner, this clay is mined in the Atlas mountains of Morocco and is a secret weapon in high-end spa body treatments, good for all skin types.

    The high concentration of natural minerals in ghassoul helps restore the skin’s depleted minerals, resulting in a plump and more even skin tone.

    Also impressive is the clay which absorbs harmful substances, as well as has natural antimicrobial properties, making it an effective ingredient for detoxification and blemish treatments. Used regularly, it can improve skin texture, elasticity, and clarity while eliminating dryness and flakiness.

    Following more steam time with the miraculous mud on, I was washed off, rubbed with a skin-hydrating, rose-infused finishing oil, then allowed time to enjoy our impressive marbled hideaway, with its big, ornately tiled dome and 

    basins, while simmering in a very hot tub – I can’t stress enough drinking lots of water during this treatment. Being sent to the ice cave to cool down – with tea and dried fruit – to finish was certainly a welcome relief. All in all, this treatment extends a breath of fresh air to skin, body and mind, and is a treatment worth doing every once in a while, even if you’re not a spa enthusiast.

    They say trying a Moroccan Hammam treatment is something to check off your list when you visit the Middle East, but despite sticking around these parts for seven years, in that time I never saw any appeal in being given a thorough scrub and shower from a stranger.

    In fact, in general, I am not a spa enthusiast.

    However, the re-launched spa at Emirates Palace took on the task of persuading me otherwise this week.

    “Trends have changed over the last couple of years, and visiting the spa has now become necessary to maintain a balanced lifestyle,” says Hannah Dowd, their spa director. “This change has brought about the need for traditional spa experien-ces, which incorporate relaxing and sensory spa elements, to deliver results. We are focusing on bringing together the best spa practices with the best global skincare technology through personalised, targeted treatments for every guest.”

    I have been in these palatial passageways before, for a massage review back when they belonged to the Anantara Spa brand. They are similarly gorgeous today – one of the most mellowing, opulent Oriental-inspired spa settings I have ever set foot in, but Emirates Palace have taken over proceedings: new services – a designated manicure and pedicure salon featuring products from leading podiatric beautician Bastien Gonzalez, and a gentlemen’s corner for barber and grooming services from luxury UK establishment Gentlemen’s Tonic; new products most fitting of the five-star hotel – regal skincare and massage ranges from Forlle’d and Amra featuring precious elements such as gold, diamond and pearl, as well as caviar.

    With all the new glamorous additions, they’ve managed to retain the traditional and their cavernous, luxurious tiled Moroccan Hammam suite still forms the heart of the spa. Here’s how we spent our time there.

    Hammam, which means ‘bath’ in Arabic, was originally adapted from the Roman baths and quickly became a popular experience in the Arab world, both as a public place for a deep clean and a good gossip with friends.

    Naturally, the external benefits are to eliminate dirt and harmful bacteria from the skin’s pores through steaming, heating, and the application of a strong eucalyptus soap, followed by deep exfoliation. It is meant to be toning and firming on the skin too.

    Internally, alongside the warmth, scents, and sounds of bubbling, flowing water, used in the treatment helping to soothe the mind, a Hammam treatment is good at assisting with some respiratory issues, increasing blood circulation, and even toxin elimination. It’s not your average shower.

    Lying on a large marble slab in the littlest of garments, the treatment typically starts with a slathering on of a black soap made with olive and eucalyptus oils, which combine to cleanse and soften, as well as dilate the pores to further help eliminate toxins when you later enter the steam room (three times for a total of 30 minutes).

    Eucalyptus has a strong influence on breathing and easing respiratory ailments such as colds, coughs, allergies, bronchitis, throat infections, asthma, and sinus problems. It can help regenerate lung tissue, and aid in the whole breathing process. It stimulates red blood cell functioning, increasing the oxygen supply to every cell in the body. Another healthy and beneficial element of any Hammam treatment is the constant visits, in between product layering and body scrubbing and polishing, to the steam room, a good regular practice as it induces sweat or secretion, which can help unclog your pores and allow the skin to naturally breathe.

    With the increase in blood flow that heat causes –  and more blood means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the cells, which accelerates the repair of tissue damaged through exercise – toxins are eliminated from the body, along with any additional water you may be retaining.

    Ironically, by not being able to breathe very well while steaming – big, deep breaths – steam rooms improve your breathing, as well as alleviate any congestion. The wet heat from the room thins and opens the mucous membranes in the body, which helps to relieve the pressure; great for sufferers of asthma and bronchitis.

    Steam therapy has also been associated with strengthening the immune system, but at the same time can be very dehydrating – but plenty of bottled water was provided during sessions.

    In between steams, I was rinsed and scrubbed thoroughly by the therapist using a slightly rough exfoliating mitt (you get to keep it after, perfect in the shower) and received huge doses of ghassoul, AKA rassoul mud in the form of a mask all over the body. Chock full of sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are all beneficial not just as a facial beauty tool, but also as a general detoxifying and nourishing skin conditioner, this clay is mined in the Atlas mountains of Morocco and is a secret weapon in high-end spa body treatments, good for all skin types.

    The high concentration of natural minerals in ghassoul helps restore the skin’s depleted minerals, resulting in a plump and more even skin tone.

    Also impressive is the clay which absorbs harmful substances, as well as has natural antimicrobial properties, making it an effective ingredient for detoxification and blemish treatments. Used regularly, it can improve skin texture, elasticity, and clarity while eliminating dryness and flakiness.

    Following more steam time with the miraculous mud on, I was washed off, rubbed with a skin-hydrating, rose-infused finishing oil, then allowed time to enjoy our impressive marbled hideaway, with its big, ornately tiled dome and 

    basins, while simmering in a very hot tub – I can’t stress enough drinking lots of water during this treatment. Being sent to the ice cave to cool down – with tea and dried fruit – to finish was certainly a welcome relief. All in all, this treatment extends a breath of fresh air to skin, body and mind, and is a treatment worth doing every once in a while, even if you’re not a spa enthusiast.

    What: Palace Rose Hammam

    Where: The new Emirates Palace Spa

    Cost: Dh890 for 90 mins

    Contact and information: 02 690 7978; [email protected]

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