The Diplomatic Spa offers an array of treatments. SD spends a few hours there, experiencing a body massage and a HydraFacial.
The Diplomatic Spa at The Diplomatic Club Doha is an excellent respite from the daily Doha bustle. As soon as I enter the club, I notice the skylight on the ceiling illuminates the entire space, as the marble floors and gold-accented interiors shine brightly. The intricate wall panels have delicate geometrical patterns, with wooden coffee tables adding more colour and texture. Every inch of this spa feels luxurious and elegant. Stepping in is a great feeling, and I am immediately greeted with a warm welcome.
Ayu, my therapist for the day, introduces herself, and I fill out an assessment form while sipping on a cool ginger lemon drink.
Ayu shows me around the space before beginning the treatment. What an impressive and visually stunning facility. The multi-level spa is modern and sophisticated, featuring seven treatment rooms, including a dedicated area for Shirodhara treatments.
The Diplomatic Spa’s signature experience is the Moroccan Hammam, but I am not ready for a scrub down today. The dead skin can wait; my muscles are more in need of some serious TLC. I’ll have to return to experience the Hammam, and from a quick glance at the facilities and the beautifully decorated private room, it does look very tempting.
All the rooms have Arabic names, an ode to the local heritage, and I enter ‘Mawj’. The space is designed for comfort and wellness, and I am already starting to wind down.
I am offered a selection of essential oils for today’s aromatherapy massage. Lavender, rosemary, jasmine and almond are some of the choices, and I pick jasmine, which is ideal for relaxation.
Ayu begins my 60-minute treatment, starting from the feet and moving all the way up to the scalp. She uses light to medium pressure, focusing on feet, legs, neck and shoulders. Her movements are calculated and precise, tactfully working her way through all the tension stored in my muscles.
When I turn over midway, I am fascinated by the star lights on the ceiling, almost putting me to sleep. Ayu is masterful in her techniques and knows exactly how to alleviate the stress of the day—and even the week! As I slip into the peak state of relaxation, the massage concludes. She gives me a few moments to gather myself and wake up from a very comfortable spa bed.
The Diplomatic Club’s Signature HydraFacial is scheduled next, and this is probably a great time to experience some pampering for my face and skin. I meet Tristan, the facialist for the evening. She’s full of life and laughter, and briefs me on what to expect.
The treatment room is spacious and has a massage bed and a foot bath. I opt for the 30-minute introductory therapy, which is perfect for first-timers. It features a three-step routine of cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating.
The first step is a skin analysis to determine which boosters to use. I was expecting the worst, but the results show that my skin condition isn’t as bad as I thought. I still need the HydraFacial, though, to address the concerns revealed.
Thalgo products are used at the beginning to cleanse and at the end to hydrate. For all the steps in the middle, HydraFacial products compatible with the device are used. Hygiene is key here, and Tristan ensures separate tips are used throughout.
She also tells me to look out for the Gunkie Jar at the end of the treatment.
The process begins with a natural cleanser, derived from algae and free from chemicals. The cleanser has an agent called Active4 that digs deep into the skin layers and removes impurities. She then proceeds to exfoliate with a Glysal Peel containing 2.5% Salicylic Acid and 5% Glycolic Acid. These Alpha-Hydroxy Acids exfoliate and remove dead skin, and I am looking forward to achieving an even skin tone.
A twist-and-lift device with mild suction is used next. I feel a tingling sensation, but this is a good sign. After neutralising the peel with a cleanser from Thalgo, two boosters are used: Britenol, which aids in skin brightening plus treats pigmentation and dark spots, and Hydraglucan, which boosts hydration.
Tristan goes for the final step with a product called Antiox, containing antioxidants. This product is also formulated with hyaluronic acid, so I am expecting great hydration and moisturised skin at the end of it. The treatment is then concluded with an eye cream containing vitamin C and green algae to help reduce dark circles and puffiness.
The result is magical. I feel a decade younger, and my skin looks youthful again. This isn’t just a glow, it’s a glow up.
It’s time to look at that Gunkie Jar now. It’s not that bad; it’s merely a collection of everything I wouldn’t want to see coming out of my clogged pores, and a reminder of why I should never use body soap on my face.
This is more than a facial. This is a masterclass in skincare, and Tristan deserves the chef’s kiss.
Today’s experience has been one-of-a-kind, and I have at least three fantastic reasons to return (yes, the Moroccan Hammam is one of them).
For more information or to make a booking, please call The Diplomatic Club on 4484 7444.
@diplomaticclub