Having recently endured a hectic work schedule, stressful deadlines and an embarrassing fall off a jet ski, a Deluxe Facial with massage at Zen Spa was just what the doctor (or facialist) ordered. This haven of relaxation at the Beach Rotana is located down a double spiral staircase leading underneath the hotel. The aim of the spa team is to provide each guest with some ‘me-time’, to rebalance and rejuvenate, allowing them the opportunity to be transported away from their busy everyday lives into a state of tranquility and calm.
The treatment
Zen Spa is designed as a retreat for the body, mind and spirit which is reflected in the low lighting and the clean, understated Asian-inspired décor. As we were ushered to the VIP treatment room, we picked up the scent of rose essential oil and could appreciate the sheer size of the place. It really is a hidden treasure, tucked away under the bustling city centre.
The VIP room is huge and tastefully decorated, which we had a moment to appreciate while sipping on a cup of herbal tea. Therapist Ayu greeted us cheerfully when she arrived, and did everything to make sure we were comfortable while asking about any particular areas we wanted her to focus on during the massage and what our main skin concerns were.
As we lay down on the table to start the massage part of our treatment, Ayu asked us to take a deep breath of some essential oils which smelled amazing and were instantly relaxing. Ayu was fantastic at paying particular attention to our persistent sore spots, which we get from a terrible posture and sitting at a desk all day. Her touch was incredibly strong (as requested) and she did a superb job of getting our knots out while making sure we were not in too much pain. After 30 minutes of this blissful experience, which left us so relaxed we almost fell asleep, it was time for the anti-ageing facial.
All of Zen’s facials are holistic and don’t use steaming or extractions, but simply let the products work for themselves. Additionally, Zen uses products from UK brand Aromatherapy Associates, which are natural and plant based. Ayu selected the Balance range for us, which was suitable for our combination skin.
A heat pack was placed under our neck, and worked wonders after the massage, and our skin was double cleansed to thoroughly remove impurities. The cleansing was followed by multiple exfoliations and toners to remove dead skin cells and leave the skin smooth. Two different masks were applied, one to unclog pores and the second to hydrate. A hydrating eye mask was also applied and then we were left to relax while a head massage soothed us like a lullaby.
The pros
Ayu, along with the other staff, was friendly and super professional. The facilities are fantastic and the treatment is top notch. The products used were of a very high quality and we’re almost convinced we could see results the next day (though this might just be over-enthusiasm on our part). We were so relaxed in the end that we nearly walked out in our bathrobe.
The cons
We were a little disappointed that the products used during the facial weren’t applied onto our neck and décolletage area, as this is usually what an anti-ageing facial involves.
The verdict
We’re writing this a week after the facial and our skin feels calmer, more cleared and less agitated. While not groundbreaking, the anti-ageing facial was successful in improving the look of fine lines, especially on our forehead. As for the massage; getting an excellent night’s sleep after the treatment was proof enough of just how relaxing it was.
The Deluxe Facial costs Dhs650 for 90 minutes. Zen Spa is open daily from 10am-11pm, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
