When a spa becomes the talk of the town, it’s only natural for the FACT team to check out what the buzz is all about. Our team booked into the Spa at Park Hyatt Doha to relax from head to toe.

When there’s a new place becoming the talk of the town, you can’t but sit up and take notice. Over the past few weeks, I had been hearing about the Spa at Park Hyatt Doha from several people and no matter how much I like that hotel, obviously for its location and other services, I had to try it to believe it!

And so, I headed over to experience the De-Stress Body Massage and I cannot truly remember why I never considered going there before. As the name suggests, this massage is used to relax muscles and dissolve contractures caused by stress, poor posture, lack of rest or a sedentary lifestyle. This is a stronger massage, rather than relaxing, although it is not more painful than necessary, only natural in working the tense area.

The soothing light and calm background music calms you instantly from the moment you enter the spa. My journey started as I was welcomed by the receptionist who ushered me towards the male section on the second floor of the facility with minimalistically appointed treatment rooms. The massage rooms looked like mini hotel suites with an attached washroom and shower and changing rooms.

I got into the luxurious robe and slippers and was seated for an instant foot massage along with some chamomile tea and date energy balls — imagine, the best is yet to come!

As I slipped into the cotton sheets, I was instructed to breathe slowly ‘in order to better improve’ circulation as my masseur kneaded my back and leg muscles with such strength — like a pizzaiola knocking a doughball — that it took my breath away. It instantly loosened up muscles that were in a knot due my recent work schedule of attending events and being on the go. To say that this was an extravagant moment would be a word too small for what I was feeling.

She started then with some stretching and smooth movements to relax me for the day, using a hefty amount of VITAMAN oil, 100% Sydney-Australian made with no synthetic chemicals or artificial fragrance. The rhythmic movements instantly put me in a state of contentment as I endured the pain of my muscles loosening — I felt like a masochist enjoying the pain of relief! During my one-hour session I didn’t need to explain myself — all I had to do was breathe. The synchronicity between the exhale of my breath and each knead into my muscles became its very own language. While my dominant right palm was pressed, I could picture all the nerves under my skin connecting and sparking.

While a massage may seem like something you have to struggle through schedules to make time for, it’s one that’s worth the effort. The spa here focuses on well-being and energy renewal and a post massage highlight has to be the sauna and mood showers. The mood shower was literally a one-of-a-kind water experience that featured multiple shower heads with contrasting temperatures and timings. It would pep up even the most tired and battered body.

I can happily report that the massage was a perfect balance between deep and just over the skin, it left me feeling considerably more relaxed than when I went in — so now I’ve come to the belief that no month should go by without a massage treatment. It helps you gain a perspective, quite literally. ✤

I very much enjoyed my massage but I’m told the spa also offers the latest in VR wellness experiences and I plan to return to try one of those next time.

Treatment options include the use of products from the exclusive Valmont range from Switzerland which is known worldwide for its anti-ageing ranges