Spa review: Dry brushing massage at The Spa / Nail Shop in Riyadh’s U Walk
Oddly satisfying and deeply therapeutic…
There’s nothing we love more than a spa day. Whether you’re looking for a particular treatment or just a simple day of indulgence, The Spa / Nail Shop has carved a reputation as one of the must-visit spas in Riyadh.
Tucked in the corner of U Walk, the spa scores high on aesthetic chic and boasts top-notch facilities and an expansive treatment menu, with a range of standard massages and facials, plus a few more interesting inclusions.
Its latest treatment recently launched: the dry brushing massage (SAR460 for 60 minutes). We went along to try it out, and here’s why you should go.
The vibe
As you leave the bustle of U Walk behind you, entering The Spa / Nail Shop feels like stepping into another world.
The first thing you’ll notice here is the flood of natural lighting that pours through the reception. The sitting areas, as well as the beauty bar and shelves, are all well-lit, with calming hues of pastels softly contrasting with the natural brown of the wood and being equally easy on the eye. We’re sold.
You’ll be taken care of from the minute you walk through the spa doors. After being whisked away to the relaxation space, you’re handed a refreshing towel and a cold beverage. Staff manage a perfect balance between leaving you be while frequently ensuring your glass is topped up. The spa itself is a truly serene escape.
The treatment
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We choose the 60-minute dry brushing massage, which promotes lymphatic circulation and is the perfect duo for detoxifying your body when combined with the lymphatic drainage massage. You get the best of both worlds with this treatment – a relaxing experience and incredible health benefits.
Our treatment begins with a footbath where our feet are lightly scrubbed with mineral salts, rinsed and dried before the dry brushing and massage begin.
The room’s temperature is comfortable, and the lighting pleasantly dim. While lying down on the massage bed, our eyes are covered with a warm towel to help clear the mind.
Our therapist, Maya, proceeds with the dry brushing from head to toe (even the underarms), both front and back, which helps exfoliate our skin and clean our pores. Dry brushing, also known as Garshana, is an Ayurvedic practice that involves dry massaging the body gently with a brush made of natural fibre bristles.
The brushing itself is pretty straightforward – the therapist will simply buff your skin using long circular motions. First-timers do not need to fear the pain of the dry brush vigorously running across your very dry skin. It’s actually almost painless and kind of enjoyable (it got a little ticklish in certain areas, though).
Maya does it gently but firmly, and the process is very relaxing and thorough – our skin almost feels like it’s activated, awoken from a deep slumber. And with each passing minute of this ritual, you realise that it’s also deeply therapeutic.
After a good 20 minutes have passed, detoxifying our body, stimulating blood flow, and brushing away dead skin cells, it’s done. Maya then wipes our body down using a warm towel.
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Cocooned under fresh fluffy towels on the massage bed, we’re now ready for our 40-minute full-body lymphatic drainage massage with the nutrient-rich and moisturising Argan oil. The massage is divine, and Maya does a brilliant job of working through our tight muscles. Under the firm, rhythmic movements of her hands, we drift off to sleep moments after the massage began, and again after we turn to face up. The massage only leaves us wanting more.
After our treatment, we’re ushered back into the relaxation lounge – a space worthy of whiling away the hours in. Don’t feel like you have to rush out afterwards. You can unwind on the day beds and sip a cup of cleansing tea to delay facing the bustle of Riyadh outside.
What’s On verdict: For a full body massage worth writing home about, try the richly therapeutic dry brushing massage treatment, and book superb therapist Maya. Are we planning a return visit? Certainly. Plus, the spa feels like a beacon of calm away from the busy world outside, laden with people and traffic around U Walk. The staff is also highly professional, warm, and friendly. And if – like us – you really must go back to work after all this, you will at least feel completely rejuvenated.
The Spa / Nail Shop, Cenomi U Walk, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, An Nakheel, Riyadh 12373. @thespanailshop