Dubai Women’s Establishment, or the Ladies Club as it is more commonly known, is a popular hangout for ladies all over the city, with a stunning beach, two pools and a great gym and running track. But Al Asalla Spa, attached to the main property, is often overlooked. So when it launched a new argan oil menu last month, we decided to check it out.
Although the reception area was a little tired-looking, with slightly dated decor, the size of the spa was impressive. It opens up into what seems like caverns of treatment rooms and a gorgeous, tranquil Jacuzzi, set with Arabesque tiles, brick walls and low seating, giving it the feel of a real Moroccan spa.
I opted for the Argan Essential Massage and Body Brush and was rapidly ushered into a dimly lit room for the treatment.
The therapist seemed a bit unsure and timidly approached me with the bath brush to explain that she would first rub my skin down with this brush to open the pores and prepare the surface for the nourishing argan oil.
To be honest, I didn’t really see the point of the brush – it was not vigorous enough to have much of an impact, but it was followed by the best bit of the treatment – the massage.
Suddenly much more confident, the therapist proceeded to give me a deep-tissue kneading with untreated argan oil.
Extracted from the kernels of the nuts of the argan tree, which only grows in south-west Morocco, argan oil is eaten for breakfast in the North African country. But it has incredible moisturising properties for the skin, hair and nails and is used to treat acne, heal scar tissue as well as combat rheumatism. In fact, it has so many benefits that some people have called it liquid gold.
My treatment left me with a healthy glow and deliciously soft skin and I was quite happy to sit in the relaxation room and sip on ginger tea while soaking up the benefits of the oil.
If I were to go again, I’d probably opt for a different treatment that concentrated more on the massage and less on the brushing, but as for ingredients and relaxation, we give it a thumbs up.
• The Argan Essential Massage and Body Brush treatment at Al Asalla Spa at Dubai Ladies Club costs Dh400 for 60 minutes. Call 04 349 9922 or email marhaba@dubailadiesclub.com
aseaman@thenational.ae
