Looking to step away from the city buzz, Sirine Boudjadi swaps her usual morning routine for a head-to-toe treatment that brings back glow, calm and everything in between.
It’s my third time at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, but only now have I finally made it to eforea spa. One thing I can say is that the entrance immediately sets the tone. The space is bright and built around white arches and carved details, with low seating areas. I’m welcomed with a hibiscus, mint and honey tea as well as a warm towel scented with lemongrass essential oil. That tiny combo alone could fix a mood!
Lucy, my therapist for the morning, explains that I’ll be trying the 75-minute Salwa Signature Sensation Oriental Ritual, inspired by ancestral Oriental practices. Basically, a mix of skin renewal through exfoliation and pure restorative pleasure thanks to the massage. Everything is done with Sothys products, a French brand I know very well.
I’m all for Hammam when it comes to deep cleansing, but I’m genuinely curious to discover this different technique. The treatment begins with a foot scrub: simple, grounding and the best way to signal to the body that it’s allowed to stop rushing. Then I lay face down on the massage bed and the focus shifts to my lower legs with a pre-exfoliation syrup. I like the thick texture. Lucy works it in gently, just enough for it to wrap evenly over every inch of me. Then starts the exfoliation itself, done with a clay stone. I had a tiny fear it might be too rough for my sensitive skin, but she works with such a light, steady pressure that it never crosses the line. Whenever an area feels a little more reactive, she places her hand on it afterwards, just to settle the sensation.
Once all the impurities are brushed away, Lucy follows with comforting hot towels to sweep off the last traces of product and keep the pores open. Third and final step: a nourishing amber modelling oil, warmed beforehand to enhance the massage. What I love about her technique is the intention behind it: long, steady movements that actually engage the muscles instead of just gliding over them. She repeats the sequence from head to toe, finishing with the stomach, neck and décolleté.
Next Up: The 60-minute Sothys Personalised Facial
After a body ritual, what’s better than jumping straight into a facial? It’s the kind of double-hit that feels like an instant reset. And it’s also the quickest way to gauge a brand’s real expertise. Lucy turns the lights back on to take a proper look and immediately spots that I have combination skin. She starts with a thorough cleanse using the Purifying Cleansing Milk with iris extract. Iris is great for balance and comfort, and the texture of this cleanser is exactly the kind I prefer, very creamy and gentle. Then she follows with the Vitality Lotion, made of grapefruit extract, to refresh and tone. Next part? The exfoliation. As she applies the scrub, she turns on a facial steamer next to my face. The warm mist slowly opens the pores, and I love that sensation – I can feel everything soften bit by bit.
On to my favourite part of any facial: the massage. I’m convinced this is what makes all the difference. You can have the best products at home, but nothing replaces skilled hands. It feels good, of course, but it also drains, de-puffs and wakes up the features. Here it’s done with the Biostimulating Oil, which blends essential oils of rosemary, myrtle, lemon and pine, a mix that brings circulation back to life. After that, it’s time for the Energizing Radiance Mask. It’s packed with organic eleuthero root extract, known for boosting energy and resilience, and Siberian ginseng root, which helps brighten and revitalise, precisely what I need. While the mask sets, she moves on to a head massage, a step I always consider essential for a treatment to feel complete. I’m such a fan that I could do a Korean head spa every day; there’s something instantly relaxing about having your scalp worked on like that.
To finish, she applies the full routine: toner, serum, moisturiser and, of course, SPF. I am going for a terrace lunch right after, so it’s the perfect last step. Before leaving the room and since she can’t use it on other guests, Lucy hands me the little clay stone she worked with to exfoliate my body. I’ll keep using it for sure!
I sit down for a quick tea break in the relaxation room, where they hand me a piece of chocolate. Such a small thing, but it instantly wins me over. It’s a nice change from the usual nuts-and-dried-fruit routine and honestly, chocolate deserves its wellness moment too. Before I head out, I do a quick tour of the facilities, even if I sadly can’t try them today. Sauna, steam room, experience shower, hydra-therapy pool – there’s everything you need to take it even further – definitely a place I’d want to come back to with more time.
For more information or to make a booking,
please call eforea spa at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas on 4423 6401.
@salwabeachresort