Upon entering Spa Lounge, you are immediately greeted with its calm ambiance, that is further enhance with the influx of natural light that floods the entire spa. Unlike the facilities we’re accustomed too, which often have small, blacked out windows to hide the conclave of women, Spa Lounge offers a unique open atmosphere that is often missed in Saudi Arabia.
While the floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide a scenic view of the comfy outdoor seating and refreshingly green landscaping, high ceilings and earth tones of the interior exude serenity. Spa Lounge is the ideal destination to melt away the stress of everyday life and rejuvenate the mind and body with a uniquely organic selection of pampering spa treatments that nurture both physical and mental well-being.
“It’s a health spa where women can come and simply relax,” said Jumana Dakkak, Managing Founder of the stand-alone spa. It may be a candid description, but it’s that exact simplicity that makes the experience so genuine. “We want our patrons to enjoy the serenity — sit, have a cup of tea and just soak up the ambiance.”
It’s definitely not difficult to do. With Tchaba designer tea, and a friendly staff that speak in soft, almost whispered voices, Spa Lounge offers you something hard to find amidst the hustle and bustle of people’s fast-paced lives: an escape.
“Our products are organic and natural,” stated Dakkak. “You can actually see pieces of the plants and seeds in our soaking mixtures.”
Saudi’s first full Redkin Treatment Room boasts chemistry treatments, such as Color Extend and Smooth Down — ideal for thicker, curlier hair. “Spa Lounge wants our clients to be comfortable, so we modify our services for them if possible,” revealed Dakkak, referring to the common request to add a hair treatment during a body therapy.
Whether you want to have a facial mask on while enjoying the fresh air in the garden or a neck massage during your signature nail therapy, Spa Lounge therapists will combine therapies to accommodate your desires.
Their foot detox treatment takes the benefits of pumpkin pulp to leave feet baby soft and is already a favorite among the spa’s clients. Spa Lounge is the first to introduce the American nail polish line, Zoya (popular in the US for its non-toxicity and long-lasting wear), into the Kingdom. They also have a new system for acrylic nails, which reduces the standard time to 45 minutes for a full set, leaving you that extra hour to further indulge in their signature Spa Lounge Scented Massage or one of their 11 unique massages, such as the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi or the Samardana, which provide a gateway into a healing world of relaxation and rejuvenation.
From body wraps, such as Alfafa for slimming and Sedona mud for anti-aging to body scrubs, such as Lavender Green Tea for cellulite control and Organic Coffee for improved circulation, Spa Lounge is dedicated to the restoration of beauty and youth through their Body Concept treatments. The Organic Buttermilk body treatment nourishes the skin, while French Green Sea Clay is perfect for toning. The Gotu Kola treatment introduces the Indian herb to the Saudi market, and brings with it the known benefits of this Eastern miracle plant, such as insomnia eradication.
The facilities are also cozy with an upstairs waiting room that feels more like a friend’s sitting room as well as private treatment rooms that continue the theme of serenity with scented candles and dimmed lighting. Unfortunately, there is only one steam room for treatments, making reservations in the future a possible inconvenience. However, since Spa Lounge is still spanking new, let’s hope they’ll have no problem squeezing us in for a rain shower and Golden Sunbath!
It’s only been open for a couple of weeks, and already more and more of us female reporters are returning from out-of-office “interviews” smelling of green tea extract and branded with a telling smile and pacified demeanor. Well, can you blame us? Spa Lounge provides a peaceful escape into a world where beauty and health are at perfect harmony. Now, what woman could resist that?