Arabian nights
The SPA Traveller has teamed up with The Chedi Muscat to offer you the chance to stay at this stunning spa. MAIA OLIVER takes a look behind the scenes…
If you’re looking for the real Arabia, where camels roam freely, turtles lay their eggs on moon-lit beaches and rare cloud bursts cause flash flooding along wadis, then look no further than Oman.
It’s hard to believe the historic trading port of Muscat lies only four hours by road from the glitz and glamour of Dubai and only divided by the Hajar Mountains – but the two could not be more different.
The tranquil spa at The Chedi captures the epitomie of this land and has now placed itself firmly on the map as a spa wellness destination since the opening of its state-of-the-art spa covering 2,500 square meters and boasting the longest pool in the Sultanate.
The Long Pool extends 103-metre allowing guests to enjoy their swim. There is also a 400 square metre health club, eight new private spa treatment rooms and separate men’s and women’s steam and sauna areas and a relaxation lounge, in addition to The Serai Pool, The Chedi Pool and two floodlit tennis courts.
Fitness enthusiasts will find the health club stocked with 30 pieces of top-range Technogym equipment from the Visio Web line in addition to Power Plates, a Kinesis Wall and a Pilates Corner. Among the services offered by the health club will be high- and low-impact group exercise classes, as well as personal trainers.
With 13 self-contained rooms and suites, The Spa has overhauled its product menu in favour of high-end organic brands, such as SpaRitual, REN, VOYA, ila, Abahna and Naturelle D'Orient. Its therapies draw from a range of wellness traditions, including Japanese, Tibetan, Balinese, Thai, Hawaiian and Ayurvedic.
Relaxation rituals feature rejuvenating natural ingredients such as Himalayan cedar, Morrocan rhassoul mud, rosehip seeds, grapefruit and seaweed. The Spa will also offer facials for men, elaborate baths and a full range of beauty treatments.
Combining traditional Middle Eastern architecture (reflecting pools, fountain courtyards) with Eastern-influenced minimalism (Zen pools in the 21 acres of garden, black-stone floors), the Chedi was the first contemporary hotel to open in Muscat.
Nestled between lush green gardens and the turquoise waters of The Gulf of Oman and adjacent to the adult-only Chedi Pool, is The Chedi Poolside Cabana which offers a range of refreshments alongside light luncheons.
So peaceful is a spa holiday at The Chedi one reviewer memorably commented: 'It's the most relaxing place on earth: the kind of place people swim quietly so as not to disturb each other”.
About The Chedi Muscat
A luxury resort with its own private beach near al Ghubra, The Chedi Muscat is located on an expansive 21 acres of land located approximately 20 minutes from Muscat's old city.
The resort features 158 rooms and suites with magnificent views of beautifully landscaped gardens, the surrounding Hajar mountains and the picturesque Gulf of Oman.
Dining venues include six restaurants offering Arabic, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine: The Restaurant, the Chedi Cabanas, the Serai
Cabanas, the Long Pool Cabanas, The Arabian Courtyard, The Beach Restaurant.
Denniston Architects, spearheaded by renown visionary Jean-Michel Gathy, is the creative mind behind The Chedi Muscat's inspired designs while The Restaurant is a creation of Yasuhiro Koichi of design studio SPIN in Tokyo.
Competition runs until April 30, 2012
www.ghmluxuryhotels.com |
