TRANQUIL OASIS

Amid Doha’s busiest district lies an oasis of serenity and solitude — enter Saray Spa Doha.


Whether you’re practising Mindful March or want to treat a special lady in your life for International Women’s Day or Mother’s Day, a spa day is always a good route to take.

The Saray Spa Doha sits on the seventh floor of the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel and trust us when we say that the elevators close off all connection to the sights and sounds of the bustling city that sits just a few floors below. Leaving you in a serene and calm environment. As we make our way to the reception, we are immediately engulfed in aromatic whiffs of mint and eucalyptus; calming our senses with each step we take.

There is an instant calm serenity about the spa, with the sound of water flowing, music playing softly in the background, and chocolate brown décor complemented with dimly-lit lighting in every corner. Your voice will automatically turn into a whisper as you converse with the receptionist about your preferred treatment, the atmosphere so serene that you could hear a pin drop. While we wait to be guided into the changing rooms, we are offered a hot cup of soothing but strong ginger tea and a warm toilette.

Doha’s been a little chilly these days, so it’s the perfect way to prepare the body for a relaxing journey ahead with the Sleep Improvement Massage. This Saray Spa signature massage is designed to help de-stress and reconnect the body and mind. It focuses on the mind and aims at balancing body energy, inducing deep relaxation, leading to better downtime and sleep.

After a quick change, we are guided to our massage suite through a wooden hallway surrounded by candlelight that bounces off the walls emitting a romantic glow. We are given a complete suite to ourselves with an attached bathroom and a large closet. Before we begin our main treatment, our masseuse leads us to a chair where she washes our feet in a golden bowl of hot water and rose petals, with some milk and cleansing salts. It’s definitely the royal treatment.

As we make our way to the massage bed, we’re delighted to see another warm bowl of water, adorned with rose petals under the headrest — no more awkwardly looking at the floor. The water wafts up warm steam that opens our lungs and gives us views of floating petals that allow the mind to wander off into bliss as the masseuse makes her way around. The massage begins with light pressure applied to the whole of the body over the towel, allowing the body to prepare for the pressure to follow. Every part follows the same procedure, warm oil is lathered onto the skin and then pressure points are carefully located before applying the long kneading strokes that soothe and tone as we lie face down on the bed and fall into deep relaxation.

This massage works on the shoulders, hands, back, legs, and feet and targets the pineal gland — this gland produces melatonin, a hormone that modulates and aids sleeping patterns. We then turn over, here the massage solely concentrates on the shoulders, as it makes its way up to an ever so blissful scalp massage. However, the journey to relaxation doesn’t end here.

As our bodies lie recovering from the pressure, the masseuse brings forward two Tibetan Singing Bowls. These are used to promote relaxation through their production of sounds and vibrations when hit or circled with a mallet. The bowls, a little too heavy for this editor’s body, are instead placed by the legs. The vibrations given off protrude through the skin, awakening every brain and body cell, and uplifting the soul.

This 90-minute journey soon comes to an end with a cup of ginger tea, water, and sweets waiting for us in the relaxation room. As we leave Saray Spa, we take the relaxation, tranquillity, and peace earned, with us. ✤

GO: CALL 4419 6090 FOR BOOKINGS OR MORE INFORMATION.