Every so often we book ourselves a massage to spoil ourselves and to treat our body and soul to some tender loving care. Hectic lives need relaxing moments to balance out the strain. Getting a massage feels amazing. In fact, you begin feeling better before the therapist even enters the room. You’re in a dark, quiet space surrounded by calming music and soothing scents from candles from exotic destinations. So when the Carisma Spa & Wellness International, the award-winning spa at InterContinental Malta invited me to try out their Turkish Bath – Hammam Massage, how could I refuse?
I was excited about this. There is a first time for everything and this was a first for me! The tradition of the Turkish Bath, developed from an oriental bathing and washing ritual, has been around for thousands of years. The process is similar to that of a sauna, but is more closely related to ancient Greek and ancient Roman bathing practices. However I had never tried it!
My Experience
Situated at the InterContinental Hotel in St Julians, on the 5th Floor, I entered the reception at the Carisma (www.carismaspa.com), greeted by very welcoming staff members, which already made me feel fantastic and relaxed. I was provided with a soft white bath robe and slippers and got a key to place all my personal belongings in a changing room.
Phytomer skincare products
I was there a little early for my appointment, so I had a look around at the Phytomer skincare products on display. PHYTOMER products are skincare products that have mastered marine biotechnologies, the use of marine micro-organisms to produce new, totally unprecedented, natural active ingredients. Backed by unique biotechnological know-how, Phytomer’s Advanced Research team has created a new generation of active ingredients: EPS, unique and inimitable natural sugars. They include XMF, which smooths wrinkles in 1 hour and the remarkable VMR, which has powerful retexturing properties for a perfect skin texture. The power of innovation for visible and scientifically proven results.
World Luxury SPA Award 2016
I noticed that they had their recent accolade, the World Luxury SPA Award 2016. So I felt reassured knowing that I would be well taken care of. I was offered warm apple tea and fresh fruit and shown to the pre-treatment relaxation room.
This room is dimly lit, with sofas and beds which only spa customers can use before and after the use of the Hammam room. It could feel quite romantic if you go with your loved ones. This time, I was here on a solo experience with photographer Cursty Briffa who was so kind to join me to take photos, and we both said that this experience could be shared with both girl friends or partners.
The Hammam Treatment I was given involved 3 sections:
Traditional Turkish Bath Exfoliating
I entered The Turkish bath room, a beautiful large room covered in grey and white marble and intricate mosaic featured water basins. Heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air, allowing me to perspire freely and to feel comfortable, I removed the gown and lied down on the warm marble platform in preparation for this treat. Rinsing me several times with warm water poured from silver bowls products, the therapist performed a deep exfoliating treatment. Using high quality natural olive oil soap which makes skin softer and moisturised and a special glove, she performed an exfoliation and within 10 to 15 minutes, the dead skin cells were removed from my skin. After exfoliation in the hammam treatment, skin pores become open and skin can absorb the essential ingredients. So I also moisturised my skin with the moisturising aloe vera face and body mask that was used on my face.
Traditional Turkish Foam Massage
After this, the professional therapist began a body massage to relax and detoxify my body. Using white foam bubbles and olive soap, she was inserting a soft white cotton drape into the water mixed with the product and shaking it with a certain technique to create a lot of foam which she placed on my body. When this settled on my skin, I was given a very relaxing massage and rinsed with very warm water again. I love having baths in warm water versus quick showers so this was so pleasant for me. I just allowed myself to enjoy this moment that I really needed.
Hair Shampoo & Treatment
Last but not least, I was not prepared for this but I also received a shampoo and treatment included in this massage. Using Argan shampoo and conditioning treatments, which makes hair soft and shiny, I enjoyed a total cleanse. This means I was literally clean from head to toe.
All this took place in about 45 minutes. My body felt so relaxed afterwards, I could barely speak, so I sat down in the relaxation room for a few minutes with another cup of apple tea.
To finish off the day I thought of enjoying the other amenities including the indoor pool with heated water and just relaxed there for another half an hour or so and chatted with some people who were there that morning.
Fact: Your body and mind are able to function better.
We often think we can feel the tension literally being worked out of our muscles, and that’s pretty close to what’s happening when we get a massage. The pressure from the therapist’s hand movements comes into play again, improving your circulation by moving blood more efficiently and releasing cell waste faster than your body does naturally. And your mind gets a bit of a clean sweep as well. Researchers have found that just a 15-minute rubdown can help you to think more clearly and improve your alertness.
The Carisma Spa offer this treatment as their signature treatment priced at 55 Euros per person. However they have a number of packages including day packages, reflexology treatments, anti-cellulite treatments and the Carisma Special – a synchronised 4 hand massage – what do you think about that? Locals in Malta and all hotel guests are welcome to try these out of course!
So, ladies and gents, every so often leave your daily stresses behind and spoil yourself with the most beautiful treat – your health and well-being.
For bookings at the Carisma Spa at the InterContinental Malta, call on +356 2376 5524 or e-mail the team at info@carismaspa.com Their website is www.carismaspa.com
Stay tuned for more of my relaxing experiences at leading hotel spas around the world here at www.graziellecamilleri.com
Photography by Cursty Bugeja Briffa
