Wellness ?The Estheva Experience
The person committed to ‘experiencing life? in his intensity can easily forget to enjoy it ?Max Stirner
Drawn from a book entitled ‘All 14 Eight-Thousanders?by Reinhold Messner, celebrated mountaineer, on his mountaineering exploits, the quote is a timely reminder to all to
make the time to get away from the hustle and bustle of corporate life and the constant pursuit of success. But the busy professional leading a hectic life doesn’t have to go to the ends of the world nor to the highest peaks to be
able to savour life’s pleasures. One can find Heaven on Earth much closer to home at The Estheva Spa, located right in the heart of town in the deluxe Palais Renaissance, where friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive and professional
therapists are intent on pampering you, devoting themselves entirely to your needs and comfort.
The Estheva is inspired by the natural thermal spas in Southern Italy, extending the ancient tradition by providing a full range of choice treatment programmes, from simple half-hour massages to the full body treat lasting five
hours, amidst luxurious surroundings. As this was my first time at The Estheva, the preliminaries had to be dealt with and I spent the first ten minutes filling out a registration form, answering questions about the kind of
lifestyle that I lead. The Estheva experience and benefits were promptly described to me: I was to expect a two and a half hour relaxing, detoxifying body treat which not only helps address water retention problems in the body but
would also leave the skin velvety smooth. It sounded too good to be true, but scepticism aside, I wanted and needed the Estheva experience ?self-neglect combined with long hours at work had taken their toll on me: muscles were
taut and I longed for some relief.
Being a novice ?I’d never actually gone for spa treatments before (gasp!) ?I had to be guided every step of the way. I had not before given a thought to the need to bring anything besides myself and luckily for me, I didn’t
have to as The Estheva anticipated my needs, providing a robe and slippers, locker facility to deposit my belongings (security assured as the key to the locker remains at all times in the pocket of the robe you take with you
everywhere).
I was ushered into a room painstakingly designed for comfort, with décor both tasteful and pleasing to the eye. The calming scent of delicate essential oils and fragrances of fresh blossoms filled the air and piped restful
music evoked the sensation of being gently buffeted by lapping waves at the beach. Still at first, I felt some trepidation at the prospect of surrendering myself completely to a total stranger to do what she will with me in the
name of beauty and for the sake of vanity. But once I got over the initial feeling of awkwardness and simply let my senses take over, I forgot everything. Gradually but surely, as the therapist worked her magic on me ?exfoliating
bodyscrub, nourishing bodywrap, relaxing body massage interspersed with therapeutic hydrotherapy ?my cares, aches and pains were expertly soothed away, taut muscles relaxed and I was lulled to sleep for a spell of time. Before I
knew it, three hours had passed! Isn’t that the ultimate compliment to the skill of the therapist and the effectiveness of the treatment? I was awakened by the therapist softly whispering my name so as not to disturb the
tranquillity of the moment. I was sorry it had to end but I came away renewed, revitalised, radiant; I must have floated all the way home. So the next time you need to get away from it all, try The Estheva experience. Enjoy one of
the best life has to offer: you know you deserve it!
Zabrina Hamid