Travel To Wellness Inc.

SPAS IN QATAR

Travel to Wellness editorial intern Nadia Mohammad travelled to her home in Qatar and was a guest at three of the state’s top spas. Here’s what she found:

As the country’s capital of Doha grows with new upscale residential accommodations and luxury hotels and spas, the State of Qatar is close to becoming the Middle East’s next hotspot.

Here are three spas I visited:

Bliss Spa at W Doha Hotel & Residences
Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Doha
Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa

Bliss Spa at W Doha Hotel & Residences

Like the Bliss brand, Bliss Doha, (opened in the spring of 2009), has a unique sense-of-take on spas. If a spa can be considered hip, Bliss would be it. A tray of delicious brownies awaits guests in the lounge and champagne is served on request. The spa offers a retail boutique and nine treatment rooms, one of which is a “BIP” room (Bliss Important Person). And, the décor, by spa standards, is certainly “funky.”

The signature treatments are the Ginger Rub a 135-minute body treatment which includes an exfoliation with freshly-grated ginger root mixed with detoxifying essential oils, followed by a foil wrap. The full body massage that follows in the proverbial “icing in the cake.” I felt a little panic when the foil was removed and my skin appeared dark, ginger orange, but it wore off my the end of the massage.

Other signature treatments include Triple Oxygen Treatment and the Carrot and Sesame Body Buff.

The best thing about Bliss Doha is the Bliss brand’s unique approach such as the humorous notes in their bathrooms: “no matter how hard this poor toilet tries, it never seems to be able to digest tampons of heavy duty paper towels.” They using witty Bliss-speak: a massage, for instance, is a Blissage. Instead of the typical background spa music, you can expect some blues or jazz to snap your fingers to. Yes, Bliss Spa an entertaining experience.

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Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Doha
 

Situated on its own exclusive island resort in the West Bay Lagoon district, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha overlooks the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Doha is based on a combination of Arabian principles, Asian traditions and European concepts and is the first eco-friendly spa in Qatar.

It focuses on sustainability by utilizing re-useable materials and energy-saving products such as bamboo, paper items made from recycled fibers and refillable amenity dispensers.

They are also working to reduce the use of plastic bags and bottles by 70%. Conservation in Doha, Qatar is usually rare due to the lack of a recycling system so it’s good to see a luxury spa taking the initiative.

Surrounded by soothing, lavender-coloured walls, the spa’s seven treatment rooms are also furnished with eco-friendly items. Spa facilities include an indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna room, Roman bath and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

One of the signature treatments is the Diamond Experience Package including a facial, body treatment and a hot stone massage for the toes. Yes. The toes.

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Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa

The majestic Sharq Village & Spa, built to recreate a traditional and ancient Qatari village, is one of the most authentic experiences in Doha.

Its water gardens and an outdoor pool (embracing an oasis of palm trees and winding, narrow alleyways leading to the Six Senses Spa give the impression of a true Middle Eastern village.

The Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa offers four different villages, each with a distinct design. With a total of 23 treatment rooms, each resembling traditional houses, the collection is divided into the different villages: three are co-ed, one for women only. Spa facilities include saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, fitness rooms, relaxation rooms and majlis (the Arabic term for “sitting area”).

With modern architecture being built overnight in Qatar’s vastly growing capital, it is rare to see a true, traditional Qatari village. The meticulous detail of décor displayed to represent Arab tradition is well worth your trip. The floor and walls have been specially prepared with cement and dried grass, there are old, tailored carpets and even olden day clay pots that were once used to store water in. The rustic furnishings and authentic look adds to the experience of being at a top class spa.

While the spa mimics the way Qatari houses were once built, modern technologies are incorporated in innovative ways and the facility is also eco-friendly.

The Holistic Massage is one of the most popular treatments at Sharq Village & Spa. Other signature massage treatments include the Energized Massage, Oriental Massage, Swedish Massage and Jet Lag Recovery.

On the more traditional side, the spa also offers Moroccan or Turkish Hammam treatments.

If you are looking for originality, luxury and Qatari culture all in one, this is the place to be. The only down side is that Sharq Village & Spa is just minutes away from Doha International Airport so the sound of aircraft might be a bit distracting but the good news is a new airport will be opening soon so flight paths are expected to change.

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Another story you may find interesting:

Dubai's Oriental Hammam

Here are two spas in Canada that offer
traditional hammam experiences:

Miraj Hammam Spa, Vancouver

Ten Spa, Winnipeg