The pampering session this month happens at Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay. SD encounters a haven like no other and enjoys a full-body massage.
It’s a Thursday evening and we’re looking for a short escape to alleviate the stress of what has felt like a very long week. We book ourselves in for a weekend treatment at Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay.
Located on the 39th floor of this striking five-star hotel, the spa is a sanctuary of luxury, elegance and relaxation. It almost feels like an oasis in the middle of Qatar’s buzzing business district.
From the moment we enter the reception, we can tell every detail is carefully curated. We catch some panoramic views of Doha, but what really interests us are the monochrome hallways and captivating art pieces thoughtfully placed around the space.
Indulging in rose-shaped scented hot towels and cold hibiscus tea, we’re prepared for an afternoon of relaxation.
Manu, my therapist for today (all the way from beautiful Fiji), escorts us to a luxury couple’s treatment room, along some striking corridors with a black and white colour scheme. It sets the mood and we know whatever is coming next is going to be relaxing, luxurious and just what we need.
Inside, a stunning Jacuzzi is set up with rose petals. Are we wrong for wanting to take a dip before the massage? Changing rooms are on the right and the couple’s treatment room on the left. We slip into comfortable robes and our therapists begin with a foot ritual. The warm water relaxes us as our feet are gently scrubbed and then dried with a towel.
We then move to the luxurious couple’s treament room with two heated beds, which are designed to provide ultimate comfort. Today, we are trying the Mindful Dreams Massage, a 60-minute treatment that promises to relax, rejuvenate and recover your body and mind. The soft-to-medium pressure massage begins with our therapists gently rubbing on a wonderfully scented lemongrass herbal body oil. The oil is very calming for the skin, soothing, hydrating and has incredible anti-inflammatory properties, perfect to relieve muscular aches and tension.
This high quality oil from Voya feels ultra luxurious as my therapist kneads into my knots, gently raising the pressure to medium at key points on shoulders, back, arms and feet.
I can now feel the heat from the bed, as I sink in further. I don’t want it to end, but the therapist starts gently rubbing my scalp and that’s when I know the clock is ticking. I completely lose track of time as we near the end of the massage, but luckily the evening doesn’t end here. Our next stop is the Jacuzzi which caught our fancy as soon as we entered.
We soak in the hot currents as our bodies unwind completely and we really feel like we’ve woken up from a blissful 10-hour sleep. Recharged and light on our feet, we are ready to take on the weekend.
The facilities in this spa are second to none. As we head towards the changing room, we’re introduced to something we’ve never seen before. A rain walk and ice fountain, a colourful experience that you walk through as multiple jets shoot out cold water while you slowly stroll along the length of the shower before the rain showers drop warm water on you. This is a great post-massage invigoration mechanism and helps tighten the muscles. The effect is almost immediate.
We’re then shown the crowning jewel of this spa – the Alphasphere room. If we’re being completely honest, we’ve never encountered a sensory room like this. The immersive space engages all your senses and takes you to the peak of relaxation. Thirty minutes in the one-of-a-kind Alphasphere pod equals three hours of sleep and that’s a siesta we’d pay any amount of money for. There are lights and illusions on the wall and the whole pod is encapsulated in colours that represent harmony, purity, love and integrity. This definitely sounds like an experience we’ll be back for.
We pass by the indoor pool area. It’s massive and set in lush surroundings. We’ll save this for our next visit, along with the Alphasphere experience. We end our evening in the relaxation area with a blanket and a cup of Waldorf Astoria’s in-house tea blend – hibiscus, green tea, camomile, peppermint and fig, which adds a little bit of sweetness. A fitting end to an epic evening of indulgence.
This four-level facility isn’t just a spa, it’s a sophisticated wellness centre with some really unique treatments that aren’t found anywhere else in Doha. If you’re looking for pampering that’s truly elevated, I can’t recommend this spa enough.
For more information or to make a booking,
please call Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay on 4008 9000 or
WhatsApp 5102 9105.
@waldorfdoha