First up is Moussa Merzouk, the hotel’s executive housekeeper. You know those towels in the shape of crocodiles and monkeys you see on hotel beds? He knows how to do ’em, and shared some top tips on adding a little something extra to your Valentine’s Day.
To make a heart
• Use a large, freshly washed and ironed towel
• Open the towel length-ways and grip the top middle part under your chin
• Roll the sides into itself tightly, making sure they don’t meet
• Lie the folded towel on the bed, so it looks like a V
• Mould the top parts of the V into one another
To make a swan
• Use a freshly washed and ironed hand towel
• Follow steps 2 and 3 above, but this time roll until the sides meet
• Lie the towel on the bed
• Do the same with another hand towel
• Bend both towels into a swan shape, making sure their mouths kiss. This will add a unique touch to any bathroom
For more designs, invest in The Little Book of Towel Origami by Alison Jenkins, Amazon.
Foot massage
Spoil your other half with a homemade foot spa treatment with these few easy steps offered by the director of Anantara Spa, Hannah Dowd.
Preparation:
• Use a pillow to support the lower back
• Soak feet in a shallow warm bath for five to 10 minutes while you make tea
• Add scented essential oils and fresh rose petals
• Towel dry their feet – remember between the toes
• Warm oil in your hands first
• Use mint or tiger balm to soothe tension, lemongrass to invigorate or for a fail-safe option, lavender. Rose is too pungent for some
• Rest the feet on a foot stool covered by a towel
Massage:
• Hold the heel of one foot and rub the top, slowly working down to the sole. Apply more pressure as you get closer to the sole
• Circle thumbs or knuckles slowly around the entire heel with medium pressure. Repeat on the ball of the foot
• Push one thumb up the heel while the other pushes down
• Rub hands in a circular motion around the ankle bone on either side, then rub fingers over the top of the bone
• Make your hand into a fist then massage the arch of the foot with the knuckles. Roll your hand back and forth to knead the skin
• Gently pull each toe
• Slide all five fingers between each of the toes to stretch them, then slowly rotate in a circular motion
• Flex the feet up, then point them down
• Stimulate the muscles at the back of the calf muscle by lifting and squeezing them
Warnings :
• Avoid strong pressure on the feet of people with high blood pressure or diabetes
• The foot contains a number of pressure points that can induce labour so if your partner is pregnant give them a spa gift voucher for a pregnancy massage
• Make sure your partner’s knees are not locked (stretched all the way) as it will make them stiff and inhibit blood circulation. A cushion under them will help keep them relaxed
