Over the past year, the TOAD team has been treated to every type of pampering you could possibly imagine. From mud extravaganzas to candle wax techniques, with couples’ massages and hot stone varieties thrown in for good measure. We’ve sought out the newest, most exciting and sometimes downright bizarre offerings on Abu Dhabi’s spa menu, and put them through some rigorous testing. And we’ve enjoyed them all (in varying degrees, of course).
That said, sometimes our aching muscles are crying out for a more back-to-basics approach, when all we want is a simple aromatherapy massage – a light fragrance and a firm hand to work out all those knots we’ve accumulated from days spent hunched over a keyboard.
The treatment
We decided Hiltonia Beach Club’s tranquil spa was the place to head for just such a treatment. Of course, there’s more on their menu to choose from – with the option of hot stone and Swedish making their list of massages – but with simplicity in mind we opted for the aromatherapy. The spa is certainly relaxing; the therapist led us down the corridor, lined with wooden shoji-style screens, to the softly lit spa area. There is a slight Asian theme, with tall vases of bamboo sticks, dark woods and rich, warm hues.
The therapist started work on our back, and applied a warm lavender oil. Using a firm pressure, she worked the muscles on either side of our spine, using long slow strokes, before tackling our lower back and then moving on to our shoulders and neck. We were pleased that she even worked out the knots under the shoulder blades – an area where we often build up a lot of tension, and one that’s usually overlooked. After our back was finished, we turned over and had every inch of our legs worked on – even the knees, ankles and feet – followed by our arms and hands. The treatment then finished with a scalp massage and event the option of a face massage (pleasant, but worryingly oily).
The pros
The massage was very thorough, no knot was allowed to escape, and we left feeling as though all the stresses of the past week had been pummelled out of us. The lavender fragrance was delicate, so there was no overpowering scent left on our skin afterwards, and the treatment room was warm and relaxing, the music unobtrusive and the therapist friendly. We weren’t given any upselling either, which made a welcome change.
The cons
While we like firm pressure, there were times when it was a little too firm even for us – especially on more sensitive areas such as the neck and feet. It would have been nice if we’d been offered a selection of fragrances to choose from – we tend to prefer delicate rose fragrances or uplifting and zingy citrus scents to lavender.
The verdict
The masseuse clearly knows what she’s doing – hitting just the right spots on the muscles to relieve tension. The relaxed setting and professional staff make Hiltonia Beach Club & Spa a great option for those looking for a firm treatment to work out the knots and get their weary muscles refreshed.
Dhs355 for one hour. Aromatherapy massage. Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Abu Dhabi (02 508 0487)
