Relax: it's a wrap!

Girlies, if you're looking for a one stop shop beauty pick-me-up, then we're happy to tell you that we've found it, and it lives in the newly revamped Akaru Spa. Ssssh.

The Aviation club's exclusive spa, under the direction of new manager Isabelle Czinzot is fast becoming one of Dubai's best kept secrets. With a wealth of decadent spa brands such as Thalgo, Payot, and the oh-so-raved about Guinot facial (my face literally shone after it was finished), you can forgive my excitement when I heard about their new treatment package: "Relax and De-stress, a 2 ½ hour bliss-fest guaranteed to leave you looking gorgeous and feeling smoother than Dubai's roads in the pouring rain.

A simple précis of the package looks a little bit like this

1) Indoceane Wrap

2) Hydra Moist Facial

3) Oxyspa Relax Session

4) Ahhhh.

When these guys promise you relaxation, you should really take them at their word. I'll be very impressed with anyone who manages to complete the treatment without having dozed off into what is more like a bliss induced trance, rather than a nap, at one point or another throughout the proceedings.

First thing's first - the Indoceane Wrap. Now, I have to be honest, I'm not normally wrap/rap's biggest fan, as there's something about being wrapped in cellophane/ foil/ whatever is the latest trend that normally makes me feel, quite frankly like a cheese sandwich in cellophane on a hot day. Not nice.

However, this is different- rather than the slap bang wrap your mam approach I have been confronted with before, you are gently massaged and exfoliated to divine smoothness and showered off before being smothered in one of the most delicious smelling potions known to man. You are then carefully wrapped in a foil like substance (can get a bit itchy) and left for a while to your own thoughts. And oh what thoughts they are: once you get used to the slightly bizarre feeling, the idea of staying in this redundant state for oh say, forever becomes increasingly appealing.

But everything must come to an end, this being no exception and before you know it, your therapist announces that it's time for your facial. The Hydra-Moist facial is great for this time of year, when skin can get a bit dry and ashen, and works as a direct moisture pep-me-up for the face, with the result being a face left smooth, hydrated and ready to face the world.

Those two alone would be enough to justify the title "Relax and De-stress", and by the time I was led to the Oxyspa machine (a strange contraption that pumps out 99% oxygen which is absorbed by your ever grateful skin), I was wondering just how much more relaxed I could get. I soon found out, lying down in my own little capsule, listening to music of my choice and generally feeling at one with the world.

It really was the piece de resistance, the final detail that topped off the treatment and sets it in a class of its own.

So if you're feeling a bit miserable about the weather lately, or just want to treat yourself (we're sure you deserve it for whatever reason), you should get dialing NOW.

What we tried:

Relax and D-estress Package - currently Dhs570 instead of Dhs630

Akaru Spa, Aviation Club, Garhoud