The long stretch!

Asking me if I wanted to go and try out Bahrain’s newest spa at the Coral Beach Club was like asking a child if they’d like Christmas to come twice a year.

With time for little else in my day than school runs, work, radio and more work followed by home and cooking dinner before collapsing into bed, the thought of an afternoon of pampering was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Twist my rubber arm!
This was my first visit to the Coral Beach Club and I have to admit that once I walked in I was most impressed. I think I could best describe it as a boutique club; small but well put together – somewhere I’d expect to see on the small screen in the likes of a programme like The O.C.
I went up the stairs to where I was told I would find the spa and found myself in a relaxed looking juice bar where you can sit and enjoy a delicious menu of fruit cocktails while playing a game of chess or simply sit chatting with your friends.
As I looked around I couldn’t imagine where the spa itself was but couldn’t help but be impressed with the view from the wall to wall, ceiling to floor windows overlooking the club below and the waters of the Arabian Gulf beyond.
The spa’s managing partner Eleonor Alberto came to greet me and show me around and much to my surprise walked me through the gym into an area I hadn’t even noticed – The Spa.
As I walked in I was reminded of a luxury home in Ancient Rome with sheer curtains and drapes hanging down and a blend of antique and modern seating that all looked very comfortable.
To my left were the massage cubicles, each with the same view I’d found in the gym and juice bar but, also with some sheer curtains to allow you to see out while making sure no one could see in.
On the right, lining the walls, were manicure/ pedicure stations complete with individual DVD players to enable you to watch a film while being pampered. Further round to the right were a couple of very inviting jacuzzis, past which I was led through to the sauna and steam rooms.
Beyond that were the showers, changing rooms and lockers complete with fluffy towel, dressing gown and slippers. So far, so impressed.
Tour complete, I was introduced to Precy (my masseuse) and sat down to chat with Eleonor and sip on a cold refreshing cocktail – I highly recommend the Lemon Slush!
After a quick but refreshing shower it was time for my aromatherapy massage, described in the brochure as “a relaxing massage with a choice of aromatherapy oils to soothe the individual’s body needs. A combination of strokes and acupressure techniques to allow the natural oils to penetrate into the skin, leaving you relaxed and with a sense of well-being”.
And it delivered exactly what it promised but what it failed to mention was that it’s not a massage for the faint-hearted. Given the choice of a soft, medium or hard technique, I told Precy to give it all she had and I’d let her know if it was too hard. I was rubbed, proded, pulled, stretched and poked expertly for an hour and by the end I felt as if I’d just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson but the result was quite amazing! I felt more relaxed and at peace with the world than I have since … well, in truth … since I can remember.
That night I slept, uninterrupted, like a log, for the first time in ages and as I sit here the next day typing away about the experience that sense of peace and well-being is still with me.
A massive thumbs up for The Spa @ The Coral Beach Club. Thank you Eleonor and thank you Precy!
● Next week feature writer Asma Salman visits the spa at Ritz-Carlton Bahrain.