A good spa experience should do more than help you unwind. Sirine Boudjadi heads to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Doha in search of rituals that are as effective as they are relaxing.
I’m always interested in a treatment that does more than just massage. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll happily spend an hour doing absolutely nothing, but if I can walk out feeling relaxed and like my skin has had a proper reset, even better. That’s the thinking behind The Ritz-Carlton Spa’s Signature Wellness Experience – Revitalising Body Sculpt Massage.
Once I’ve finished sipping my signature tea made with ginger, honey and lemongrass, and filled in my consultation form, my therapist, Eisi comes to collect me. She explains that it’s a treatment recommended during Doha’s hotter months, when the heat can leave you feeling puffy, sluggish and in need of a circulation boost. Rather than being one long massage, it layers different techniques together. First comes dry brushing, something I already swear by at home because nothing leaves skin quite so smooth. The Relaxing Salt Scrub follows to polish away dullness before a quick shower makes way for the more targeted part of the treatment.
Next step is the Detoxifying Algae Gel. It has a thick, almost cocooning texture and a comforting warmth that instantly envelops the body. Eisi works it in with firm kneading, lifting movements and rhythmic tapping. It’s intense, but never uncomfortable, and you can feel the focus on stimulating circulation rather than simply helping you drift off. While the gel is left to do its thing, my scalp is getting all the attention. After another quick rinse, the final act is exactly what you want by that point: a full-body massage using the Energising Signature Blend Oil, with peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary bringing everything back down a notch. Like any sculpting treatment, the best results come with consistency rather than a single session. What I like most is that you never have to choose between results and relaxation. You get the exfoliation, the circulation boost and all the skin-loving benefits, but you still leave with that post-spa feeling everyone is actually there for.
A FACIAL WORTH THE HYPE
That could easily be enough for one visit. Instead, there is still one more treatment waiting for me. Eisi encourages me to take my time and settle back with another cup of tea while the room is prepared for the second part of my spa day. I’m soon greeted by Hope for the skincare treatment – The Method Augustinus Bader. As a long-time fan of the brand, famous for its patented TFC8 technology (a complex of vitamins, amino acids and naturally occurring molecules designed to support the skin’s natural renewal process), I was especially looking forward to this.
It all starts with a double cleanse, which I’m always happy to see. Hope begins with The Cleansing Balm, taking her time to massage until it melts into a silky oil. She follows with The Cream Cleansing Gel to remove any last traces of impurities without that squeaky-clean feeling some cleansers leave behind. Next comes The Essence, one of those products that does a bit of everything without overcomplicating your routine. It gently exfoliates, hydrates and helps refine the skin, but what I like is how it’s used during the treatment. Rather than applying it and moving straight on, Hope leaves it on before positioning a facial steamer over my face for around seven minutes. The gentle warmth instantly makes the whole experience even more relaxing.
Once my face is perfectly clean, we get to what is, for me, the best part of any facial: the massage. A few drops of The Face Oil are warmed between the therapist’s hands. It gives just the right amount of slip for the sculpting massage while leaving my skin feeling instantly more comfortable and supple. She alternates between lifting techniques, slow draining movements and firmer strokes along the jawline and cheekbones, before bringing in a gua sha tool to release areas holding onto more tension. Next step is The Face Cream Mask, applied generously before being left on for around 15 minutes beneath an LED mask to give my skin time to drink it all in. To finish, Hope layers on the brand’s The Serum, The Eye Cream and The Ultimate Soothing Cream to seal everything in.
I’m always slightly sceptical when a facial promises instant results, but this one genuinely delivers. My complexion looks brighter, fresher and far more even than when I walked in, with that healthy glow that usually only shows up after a really good night’s sleep. If you’re already an Augustinus Bader fan, it’s a great way to experience the range differently. Don’t be surprised if you leave wondering whether it’s finally time to invest in that Face Cream you’ve been eyeing for months!
Before heading home, Hope shows me around the rest of the facilities. Alongside the sauna and steam room, there’s a fully equipped gym, two indoor tennis courts, a squash court and a semi-Olympic pool. If you’re the type who likes to earn your massage, you’ll appreciate having everything under one roof.
For more information or to make a booking,
please call The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Doha, 4484 8173.
@ritzcarltondoha