sChmo0kler

Pedicure Spa + Hot Stone Massage! August 13, 2009

Without ever really intending for it, the past 2 weeks or so saw me paying homage to body pampering and relaxation.

An Indian guy from Granton was going around offices here selling promotions for VLCC, a slimming, skin and hair clinic/spa at Shatti Al Qurum. I didn’t think much about it until I remembered I was invited to Michelle’s (my former flatmate) mom’s wedding reception the following week…

So I bought the set coupons with its freebies for 20 rials and made appointments for the wedding day. I reserved for the pedicure spa (I think) with a complimentary manicure and a face pack. I actually thought these were all free from how the sales guy explained it, until it was clarified by the receptionist that the spa was just on a discount, but the face pack was free. I had to pay the discounted (30%) price of 10 rials for the pedicure, and this was after I got the coupons. Miscommunication (or was it misinformation) rears its confusing head here…

Anyhow, I headed to the clinic on 29th July and was met by a local and an Indian lady asking if I understood the promo. Apparently a lot of clients got angry, thinking that everything was included on the 20 rial promotion as well. Granton should really be more straightforward on this matter…

A Filipina met me and she started the treatment. The pedicure spa includes a paraffin wax for the feet and pedicure with the complimentary manicure. Let me just say that this is the first time I got myself a wax anywhere. She explained that the wax good for the veins and circulation of blood in the feet. But that paraffin sure was hot and made my bony feet feel like candles being made!

Good that the lady was efficient and she kept the coffee and drinks coming. She also helped me choose a very nice polish which I wore even days after. It was luminous pearlescent kinda color, a departure from my usual dark plums & coppery bronzes…

I was already happy chalking up another new experience in body pampering until my best friend, Farah, surprised me with another body-melting extravaganza!

To mark 2 years of great friendship here in Muscat, we went for an “Essence Aroma Stone Massage”. Sigh* Just saying that is enough to bring me back to the massage table. Almost…

On a balmy Monday afternoon, we encountered cool, lush hush inside Essence Spa at Madinat Al Ilam. Eschewing hot tea for welcome, they gave us this chilled hibiscus drinks instead…

The massage room was calm, oriental minimalist but plush enough, each having its own shower & changing area. My masseuse, I think a Thai, was good. Pressure was medium and just right. Stones were hot, hot, hot! They were placed at points on the back. Afterwards, they were used to sweep all over the body, massaging away kinks, tense muscles and maybe even some dead skin cells! With the smooth stones oiled and gliding down hotly, I literally felt I was being flat-ironed! And for the finale, they have this intimate area where they serve dates and the hot tea after sessions. Both of which tasted surprisingly good, especially the dates, as I never took a particular liking to them here before.

I was impressed with the whole experience and all I can add now is that hot stone massage is the way to go! Until, I guess, we go back and try the “Essence Moroccan Red Clay Body Wrap” anyway… =)