Embracing a Mondrian State of Mind

Last month in this feature article we continued our journey through the looking glass exploring the architectural curiosities and signature design language of the Mondrian Doha. The experience got curiouser and curiouser when we uncovered a heady mixture of bold ambition, detailed opulence and eccentric whimsy in the external architecture and internal artistry evident in the feature designs of this hotel.

In this edition, Lindsey Steenkamp dips her toe in the waters of personal pampering and luxurious rejuvenation as she samples the undisputable delights of the ESPA Spa and Fitness Centre at Mondrian.

Mondrian’s ESPA Spa is no ordinary experience, let’s be clear about that. The commitment to fully immersive treatment – the kind that truly takes you away from the strains and stresses of everyday life for a few hours – reveals itself right away. Mondrian’s signature spa is the first ESPA facility in the Middle East and the largest of its kind in the world. As we know from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, scale is everything, and in this case, bigger is better. All 2,000sq/m of relaxation and holistic care make the space a world of its own, removed from any hustle and bustle. The spa is comprised of 12 spacious treatment rooms, each with its own character and raison d’etre.

While the spa is clearly part of the established ESPA international franchise, renowned for its integration of advanced technology and organic materials in the rendering of spa treatments, at Mondrian Doha there is a distinctive and delightful deference to Arabic culture and Qatari heritage, which is unmistakeably evident throughout the aesthetic. The spa is genuinely breathtaking in its beauty.

With the unique sense of feeling like an Arabian Princess, at least for a few hours, I enter this wonderland ready to submit to its soothing treatments and personalised pampering. As I walk in to start my treatment sessions, strains of whimsical music resonate from the pristine walls and floor spaces. It feels dreamlike and incredibly relaxing, as if I’m entering the inner sanctum of a safe space. I certainly welcome that sense of sanctuary.

I take a few moments in the pre-treatment relaxation room with its pearly-white couches. Rose-golden floor tapestry and gold-leafstyle collages on the chairs and walls. The pearl idiom comes full circle via a giant bead-chain of pearls form a dome in the centre of the room. I recline on one of the concentric couches under the dome contemplating the day ahead.

Phase one of my journey through wonderland is the Finnish Sauna. With its ultra-stylish Scandinavian, wood-panelled walls, the dry heat of the sauna opens the skin pores for some serious cleansing. To refresh after the sauna I head to the shower; in this case a supreme version of one. Shimmering mosaic-tiled walls surround me as I step into a Swarovski crystal rain shower. Standing below the full body jets encircled by crystals feels like bathing under the world’s most opulent waterfall. This surreal iteration of a daily ritual is pure glamour and I love the sensation. The shower area includes iconic hanging egg chairs, essentially hammockstyle suspended basket seats. It all adds to the uniqueness of the design language. The Finnish Sauna and Swarovski crystal showers are integral parts of a multi-level heat experience ‘secret garden’ that should be experienced first-hand to do it justice. The facility has heated floors throughout.

In the post-treatment relaxation room, the nod to nomadic Bedouin tents is evident as billowing white sheets weaved into a delicate architectural feature emerge from the ceiling and walls, creating an intimate ambience laced with the alluring mystique of the Middle East.

With five treatment rooms and a VIP treatment suite, the female spa emits feminine energy through its look and feel. The spa’s services run the gamut from immersive pampering massages and facials that employ LED lights, to scrubs using locally grown dates. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to try everything. Being pampered takes time and, on this occasion, I need more of it. I’ve got a sole-soothing, nail-enhancing appointment to keep in the spa at the dedicated manicure and pedicure stations serviced by London-based beautician Margaret Dabbs. I enjoy every moment of this experience. The therapists are friendly and confident but fully respectful of one’s personal space and very professional in their rendering of treatment. I enjoy my chat with the nail technician, Aizhamal, as I sit in pampering nirvana. She helps me relax and goes the extra mile in making sure my nails are perfect for the upcoming FACT Dining Awards. Attention to detail and genuine warmth are the lasting impressions I get from this session.

After I nail the manicure and pedicure treatment, there’s a brief interlude to review the fitness centre, a tech-infused workout station that includes personalised audio options on the treadmills. The centre’s gym offers expert personal trainers as well as uplifting panoramic views of West Bay

Before my journey through wonderland concludes, I spend time at the atrium pool area beneath the ornate stained-glass dome. With a maximum depth of 1.5 metres, this is purely a relaxation pool, so you won’t better your Olympic qualifying times here. The pool is fashioned in the shape of ‘60s-style sunglasses – pure whimsy that’s hard to resist. With customised treatments for pregnant women and nursing mothers, the spa leaves no stone unturned in its quest to deliver a fully inclusive experience.

There is also a matching and equally luxurious men’s spa section at Mondrian, providing complete comfort and comprehensive services across four treatment rooms, a VIP treatment suite, wet and dry steam rooms as well as showers and heated daybeds. Décor embraces the ancient Arab souk aesthetic.

My time at ESPA Spa and Fitness Centre at Mondrian was a much-needed break from the intensity of city life. There’s so much to enjoy that I would definitely want to stay longer than just a few hours. Next time I plan to simply get lost here. This wasn’t an adventure exactly like Alice’s in the classic Lewis Carrol novel, because, despite the pure escapism of the experience, more than anything it provided the sense of peace, harmony and rejuvenation I was craving. I would call it solace in wonderland. ✤