Andy Sherwood visits Bodylines at the Park Rotana to get the lowdown on their Swedish massage.
The promise
The Rotana’s Scandinavian treatment will, it claims, soothe away stress while easing those tired and overworked muscles.
Step-by-step
With exhausted, aching limbs creaking like an old barn door and everyday life in the hectic city getting us down, a trip to Bodylines at the Park Rotana seemed a perfect way to re-energise our body, mind and soul. Whereas Asian massages mainly focus on energy, a Swedish version is all about the science of anatomy and physiology. We have a Scandinavian fella called Per Henrik Ling, who passed away in 1839, to thank for this relaxing appointment. But is the massage actually worth the money?
We were greeted by a cheery therapist who showed us into a subtly lit room with the requisite soft music that most spas love playing. Somewhere there’s a musician with a pan pipe, a harp and a machine that makes whale noises well and truly raking in the royalties. Our therapist asked us to undress, cover ourselves with a towel and lie face down on the table in the tastefully, yet simply, decorated treatment room.
Our therapist then got to work. Our body was kneaded and pummelled all over, firstly working overtime to remove the knots from our back and shoulders. Then it was on to the arms and legs, and even our feet and hands got a look-in. To finish off, it was back for another go at our back and shoulders. Swedish massage is all about kneading, long massaging strokes, friction and tapping. For gents who aren’t used to a trip to a spa, this is a gentle introduction to the different kind of treatments on offer. An excellent way to unwind for 60 or 90 minutes.
The results
If making a snoring noise like a horn on a boat docking at the Al Mina Port is the sign of a good time, then it was money well spent. We certainly were relaxed afterwards and our stress levels also felt nicely diminished.
Pros
The staff are great. For those gents who don’t feel comfortable in a spa, Bodylines is a very unassuming, welcoming place, and the neutral décor is inviting for men who don’t want to think they’re hanging out in a beauty salon. You could also take advantage of the excellent gym facilities while there.
Cons
No cons of note but if we’re being really picky, our therapist could have been a bit more forceful with the massage. But that, of course, is a personal preference.
4/5
Dhs280 for 60 minutes, Dhs380 for 90 minutes (15 percent discount for bookings between 11am-4pm). 9am-9pm daily, last booking 7.30pm. Park Rotana, Khalifa Park (02 657 3373).
