Abu Dhabi Week goes tropical at the hands of the Hiltonia Health Club

Stress-relieving massages can generally be divided into two categories. There’s the gentle, relaxing kind with scented oils; and then there’s the deep-tissue variety – aimed at combating stress by getting rid of all those nasty knots.

These aren’t the only options at the Hiltonia in Abu Dhabi, however. Its very own massage, the Tropical Bliss treatment, comprises a foot soak, a dry brush scrub, hot lemongrass towels, two skilled therapists and a thorough body massage. The aim? A guaranteed sense of well-being, washed down with a green tea at the end of it all.

There’s something very simple and just plain nice about having your feet washed – especially water infused with coconut oil and strewn with rose petals. (It also helps if you’ve been rushing through Abu Dhabi in heels, the ultimate reason for a good foot soak.)

After this quick teaser of relaxation and pampering comes the real deal however; 90 minutes of head-to-toe massage.

A simple dry body scrub using something similar to a loofah pretreats the skin while warm lemongrass towels are applied to ease away any muscle tension. It’s then time for the massage. Coconut oil, known for its conditioning qualities, is dripped into the scalp and massaged in (it’s advisable to use the shower afterwards to wash this out – the after-effect is dishevelled, greasylooking hair). The scent lifts the mind while the scalp massage is heavenly.

With perfect synchronisation so much so that you wonder if they count each other in – the two therapists sooth arms, legs, neck and back. With a gentle pressure and tropical scented oils, it’s impossible not to doze off into a Zen like state before the 90 minutes is up.

It has to be said that only meeting one of the two therapists is rather odd (you meet the other, with gratefulness and plenty of thanks, at the end of the treatment). When the treatment begins, you’re suddenly aware of two pairs of hands at work. But the whole experience is simply blissful and definitely a unique massage experience to be tried and tested –time and time again.

What? Tropical Bliss massage

Where? Hiltonia Health Club, Corniche Road

How much? AED 695

Why? A unique massage that works on both the body and mind with tropical scents and a perfect massage pressure and technique

Why not? Not advisable for a long lunch break treat during the working week – heading back to work with oily hair is not a good look, even if it does smell lovely

Rating: 9 out of 10

Contact: 02 681 1900

[Writer] Charlie Kennedy

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