The latest branch of Diva Spa at The Gate Mall offers everything, ranging from body massages to nail and hair treatments. The place might just be a safe haven for women to escape to from their daily worries, writes R Fernandes
Most women like to find a place to escape to — a safe haven that will pamper them and help them forget their worries.
Diva Spa is one such place that will help turn your day from dull to dazzling. Having just opened a new branch at The Gate Mall, the spa offers everything, from body massages to nail and hair treatments.
The key is attention to detail: the staff is attentive and always smiling. When you enter, they offer you a warm ginger tea drink, which, while a bit strong a first, is healthy and soothes the throat.
On my first visit, I try a back and head massage. For QR150, the massage includes the use of special oils that help relax the nerves. I quickly try to get my mind off the daily worries and to relax. Not an easy thing to do when most of the 24 hours of the day are spent marking off things from a to-do list.
My therapist tells me I have a lot of tension in my back. This isn’t exactly breaking news. I always knew that my back was tense. She works her fingers to soothe the stiffness in my back, all along asking me if the pressure she is applying is fine. Most of the time it is, except when I feel a little discomfort. But I do not tell her. After all, who wants to look like a wimp?
With smooth, long strides she makes my back feel like a skating rink, and makes my worries disappear. But 30 minutes is not a long time and I am forced to wake up to reality just as soon as the time is up.
The spa also offers fitness classes. These include Pilates by a qualified instructor. The classes can be taken in the evening. I am told that a hot stone massage after a Pilates class is the perfect combination.
There is also Vinyasa Yoga classes on offer. These are held at different points during the week. They also offer a range of signature packages that — the spa promises — will truly awaken your senses and balance your body and spirit. Guests can pamper themselves or someone special with a day of relaxing spa treatments.
The Serenity treatment lasts for two hours and 45 minutes. It is priced at QR680. This pampering experience refreshes the mind and body. Your treatment begins with a calming Foot Ritual followed by Sea Salt Scrub to remove dead skin cells leaving a polished appearance. Moisture to the skin is then restored with a luxury marine sublime pampering body wrap session. The journey is completed with a warm stone massage.
The new Diva Lounge Spa at The Gate Mall comprises of four treatment rooms including a VIP Room, a Hammam Demashqui, a fitness lounge, a nail lounge and a hair lounge. It also includes a relaxation room where customers can relax after their treatments.
The spa’s interior design is based on four elements — earth, wind, fire and water. A balance between these elements reflects the balance between body, mind and soul. This concept is reflected throughout Diva Lounge. The design of each treatment room reflects an element and the treatments are designed to balance the body, reduce stress and relax the mind.
A visit to the lounge, thus, is all about relaxation. It is a place where you can relax, reunite and indulge your senses. I make sure to keep my phone on silent. My therapist smiles in agreement.
For my second visit I decide to indulge in a Sublime Body Wrap. The treatment is for one hour and 15 minutes and is priced at QR350.
Since I am there early I make sure to drink a lot of water before the massage. The treatment starts with a gentle body scrub to smoothen and soften the skin. I can actually feel the dead skin on my body gently being nudged away. After a quick hot shower in the same room I am offered a sublime body wrap. Suffice it to say that I realise what an Egyptian Mummy must feel like.
A soft body lotion is applied to the body and I am wrapped in a thin plastic sheet for a good 15 minutes. It has minerals and vitamins, which are absorbed easily into the skin. The process is also an ideal way to reduce stress and tension while stimulating blood circulation to ease aches and pain.
The treatment is completed with the application of nourishing body lotion. By this time, I am already deep in sleep. After a few minutes, the therapist politely wakes me up to tell me the treatment has ended.
What a shame, I guess this is what bliss is all about. I make a mental note to return soon.
Diva Lounge Spa also has branches at Al Saad and Al Gharafa.
BELOW:
INSPIRED: The spa’s interior design is based on four elements — earth, wind, fire and water.