Baja Peninsula in Mexico, Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, the Maldives, Monte Carlo, New York, London: not just a list of the world’s most stunning places and homes to the globe’s most beautiful, well-groomed people, but, by no coincidence, also the locations of one of the world’s leading spa brands – Espa.
Naturally, it’s about time Abu Dhabi was added to that illustrious list, and so Espa’s newest venue has just opened its doors inside The Yas Hotel. Designed by New York firm Richardson Sadeki, it’s as elegant as you would expect. A muted cherry and dark wood colour scheme gives the changing areas a sophisticated, grown-up air with none of the overtly girly flourishes that so many spas try to win over the ladies with.
Throughout the whole space, bar the treatment rooms, you can hear the sound of thundering rain, a masterstroke that not only looks striking – the noise comes from a dramatic water feature of powerful jets and multicoloured lights – but creates the atmosphere of being tucked safely inside a cosy jungle cabin in the middle of a tropical storm. So, as you drink your herbal tea, dab your face with scented wet towels and slide into a pair of the plumpest slippers imaginable, you know you’re in for a pretty good time.
The (tremendously expensive) Espa menu covers body treatments, facials, massages, hamam rituals and a decent range of treatments for men as well as women. We decided to push the boat out and go for the two-hour advanced back, face and scalp treatment. So, clad in a gorgeously soft and heavy dressing gown, we began by having our feet scrubbed, as our British therapist asked about our skin type, the kind of massage we preferred and the beauty treatments we were used to.
This was all in the guise of a casual chat, but everything we told her, from overdoing the sports that week to our diet and lifestyle, she remembered and took into consideration later. Then, after a quick back exfoliation, we settled into what was simply the best massage we’ve had in years. Slicks of warm oil were smoothed across our aching back and, since the therapist had paid close attention to everything we’d mentioned, the pressure on the sore muscles at the base of our spine and the kneading of our weary shoulders was just spot on. And when we felt piping hot volcanic stones slide up our spine, we practically purred with pleasure.
The facial began with a close examination of our skin, using a wood lamp with UV light that makes congested pores, oil and dryness show up in various shades of orange and purple. Afflicted by all three, our reflection looked like we’d just run into an angry Naomi Campbell carrying her jewel-encrusted mobile. So we lay back and let the therapist do her work on our face and scalp, equipped with a small arsenal of scrubs, masques, toners and oils. Of course, Espa is nearly as famed for its products as its treatments, and after the session we were presented with a booklet explaining all the lotions and potions that had been used. This is usually the point where beauticians begin the hard sell, but, to Espa’s credit, we didn’t feel pressured to buy anything in the slightest, and were given plenty of skincare advice that had nothing to do with Espa products.
Not to say we weren’t sorely tempted by the shelves of delicious smelling elixirs in the retail section outside, but the price tag proved more than a little prohibitive. Still, the treatment was effective, the experience close to flawless, and we’d go back in a heartbeat, just as long as someone else footed the bill.
Advanced Back, Face and Scalp Treatment, two hours, Dhs650 plus 16 per cent service charge. Espa, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0859)
