A journey to renewal was what Liz O’Reilly discovered on a visit to Anjana Spa at Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha.
After 48 frantic hours filled with meetings and events, I was more than ready to relax and be pampered when I arrived at Anjana Spa. And, right from the start, I knew I had come to the right place. Spa Director Sarah immediately put me at ease with a refreshing antioxidant rich hibiscus juice to help reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels and a very welcome moist towel provided welcome relief from the heat of the day.
Sarah introduced the therapists for my personalised journey – Octavia, who would perform a traditional Balinese massage, and Yulia, for the specialised Hammam ritual and facial – before conducting a detailed questionnaire to assess my needs and help tailor my journey. Her astute questions gave me a feeling of confidence and assurance that I would be in very professional hands.
The spa area itself is geared to luxurious tranquillity with grounding circles in the décor alongside muted pale hues, natural textures, serene music and subdued lighting inviting visitors to ‘leave your world behind’. Indeed, Sarah told me that the Hammam, my first treatment of the day, was designed to fly me to Morocco, her beloved home country.
BLACK SOAP AND HEAT
My consultation finished, smiling Yulia led me to the impressive Hammam where the traditional large marble slab awaited surrounded by wall seating and a sink where water was running constantly. Red and pink lights add atmosphere and the room is heated to around 60-70º Celsius, which is initially a bit of a shock to the system. But Yulia offered the option for the door to stay open as I acclimatised before dousing me with warm water and getting to work with the traditional Moroccan black soap.
With firm but gentle strokes, she lathered my skin to clean off any surface impurities before applying a henna scrub for deep cleaning and skin softening. She then asked me to lie on the heated marble slab and used a Kessa mitt for a vigorous scrub to exfoliate, removing the dead skin cells accumulated over a summer of, perhaps, too much sun and sea salt.
Next came a full-body mask of Ghassoul clay, which is known for drawing out deep-seated dirt and toxins and while this set, Yulia turned her attention to my hair, gently massaging my scalp before shampooing and applying an olive hair mask.
After rinsing off the body mask, she applied a final wash of Ghassoul mixed with coffee and lemon to moisturise and seal my skin leaving my whole body feeling deeply cleansed and my skin silky soft and glowing, which is, amazingly, still the case several days later.
Throughout this treatment, Yulia constantly checked that I was OK with the heat, she encouraged me to drink water and afterwards suggested that I should take advantage of the relaxation area for some refreshing ginger tea before moving on to the massage.
HEALING HANDS
Soon, it was time to head to one of the treatment rooms, passing numerous air purifying salt lamps along the way. The pale colours and candlelight of the massage room were definitely conducive to relaxation and Octa, as my therapist is known, began by ringing a sound bowl, the deep, resonant vibration reaching my inner sound sensors and triggering a feeling of immense calmness.
Outside in the reception area, I had noticed a beautiful display of all the elements used in the massage oils and, when given the choice, I selected lemongrass from Morocco, which Octa explained would be beneficial for muscle stiffness – the perfect complement to the traditional Balinese massage which is a full-body, deep-tissue treatment using a combination of acupressure, reflexology, gentle stretches and aromatherapy.
Octa’s expert hands kneaded, rolled, stroked and pressed across my body until I honestly felt ready to dissolve. Her strokes were assured and the nagging ache in my neck soon took a back seat to a sense of total, and very grateful, release.
Part of me wished this massage could go on indefinitely but I was also ready for the next experience, the express facial, which ended up being my favourite aspect of the afternoon.
FACE VALUE
Yulia returned and introduced me to the product range she would be using – the iconic French brand Biologique Recherche, which is known for its personalised approach to skincare often using pure, raw active ingredients. In my case, after a close examination with a bright light, I was very happy to hear she would be opting for anti-ageing benefits to regenerate my tired complexion.
First, my minimal make-up was removed and my face thoroughly cleansed using the Lait VIP O2, a very gentle, protective milk with oxygenating complex that was effective without being drying. This was followed by a soothing micellar lotion to tone – in both these options, Yulia had taken account of the dryness and sensitivity of my skin, ensuring I didn’t experience any of the tightness often associated with this stage of facial treatments.
Then came the science part. My face was first covered in the ISO – Placenta Sérum Authentique with its unique formula and the active ingredient Biomimetic placenta, which mimics the composition of human placenta to provide the skin with all the elements it needs to regenerate.
Yulia gently massaged the serum into my skin with incredibly soothing, butterfly-like movements giving it time to be fully absorbed before applying the next step, Extraits Tissulaires Sérum Authentique, a protective instant moisturiser designed to strengthen the hydrolipidic barrier, which prevents moisture loss. Another gentle massage encouraged full absorption and I could feel my skin drinking in the goodness as if regenerating beneath Yulia’s expert touch.
The final step was a liberal application of cool, rich Crème VIP O2, an oxygenating and anti-pollution cream formatted to capture polluting agents on the epidermis and protect from oxidative stress restoring radiance and brightness.
I must admit that, written down, these claims do seem somewhat fantastic but I can only speak to the evidence in the mirror. At the end of my facial, my skin looked and felt better than it has in a long, long time and I have become an enthusiastic Biologique Recherche convert.
IN THE END
At the end of a full afternoon of treatments, I can honestly say I felt renewed and had found my bliss. A few hours of ‘leaving the world behind’ coupled with the tranquillity of Anjana Spa and the talent and professionalism of the therapists was exactly what I needed and I can’t wait to return.
For more information or to make a booking,
please call Anjana Spa at Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha on 4429 8555.
@anjanaspadoha
@rixosgulfhoteldoha