One of the highlights of my stay at Al Ain Rotana a couple of weekends ago was my much-needed pampering session at award-winning Zen the Spa.

Located on the newest wing of Al Ain Rotana, Zen the Spa has won a large number of accolades including nominations at the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards for 3 consecutive years since 2016.

Our Zen concept derives from Holistic Asian Philosophies with an added contemporary twist. Zen is “uncomplicated” and “uncluttered”. 
The aim of the spa team is to provide each guest with “me time” to simply rebalance and rejuvenate, allowing the opportunity to be transported away from often complicated, busy lives to a retreat of tranquility and calm.

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The interiors here are all deep, dark wood with mood lighting and soothing nature-inspired music.

After a short consultation and filling in a form with my details and needs for the day, I was ushered into the changing room area and shown to my locker where I packed away my belongings and slipped into a snug and comfy spa housecoat.

I had half an hour to spare before my booked facial treatment, so I lounged in the Jacuzzi, flipped through a few magazines and sipped on citrus water. This is the kind of life I can easily get used to!

My facial therapist Lici came to receive me from the jacuzzi area. The treatment rooms are located on the first floor, and I felt zen just walking up that dimly lit corridor with its deep wooden accents.

My treatment room was also dimly lit, and Lici checked to see if the lighting and the volume of the background music was to my liking.

Once cosied up and comfortable under the sheets of my treatment bed, we did a run-through of the facial treatments available, and she recommended the Luxury Anti-Aging Facial for me.

This is a 90 minute pampering session that does not include any abrasive extracting, but rather a skilled pattern of simulated facial massages. The treatment uses the very beautifully scented organic range Aromatherapy Associates.

Aromatherapy Associates is a luxury skincare and wellness range hailing from the UK. I was first introduced to this brand at a Breast Cancer Awareness event where I was fascinated by the brave story of the brand’s co-founder Geraldine Howard who, whilst battling a rare form of eye cancer that finally took her life, created a very special aromatherapy oil for the brand that goes by the name ‘Inner Strength’.

My facial session used a wide range of beautifully scented products from Aromatherapy Associates, and I wanted to walk away with each and every tube. Unfortunately they are very steeply priced, and they were also out of stock of the “Hydrating Revitalizing Face Oil” that I had narrowed down on buying. Will have to save up and buy direct from the UK site.

The Luxury Anti-Aging Facial involves four different steps. First of all, a gel-like cleanser is used to clean the face of any makeup. This is followed by an exfoliating session using a very delicious-smelling scrub, after which a toner and mask is applied. Once the mask is removed, another hydrating overnight mask is used.

The session, albeit 90 minutes long, felt far too short. I could spend an entire day here if permitted. Each step of the process provides ample benefits to the skin, and their signature scents make them an overall holistic treat.

Post-treatment, I could already see a major glow in my complexion (and this is in a dimly lit room!). I would highly recommend this facial to anyone who is concerned about the first signs of aging and is looking for a non-aggressive and pampering session. It really does wonders at regaining that lost glow.