All-female Aurora Spa opens at Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh

Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh, in a joint venture with Joelle Mardinian, has officially opened the doors to its all-female Aurora Spa by Joelle. Madinian is a well-known female TV personality in the GCC, as well as an influential fashion and makeup expert in the Middle East.

The Aurora Spa has six individual therapy rooms that provide tailored treatments designed to help guests unwind, re-balance and rejuvenate. The spa features dedicated female-only access from the parking area and hotel, as well as whirlpools and a traditional Oriental hammam.

Philippe Bonnot, General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh said: “The opening of Aurora Spa by Joelle is a fantastic opportunity for female Saudi residents and visitors to experience unique spa treatments. From employing female therapists to creating facilities exclusively for women, our goal is to make the hotel as friendly as possible for ladies.”

The opening of Aurora Spa marks the first spa for Mardinian. She said, "I love to engage with projects that aim to enhance the beauty of women everywhere, hence we have spent a considerable amount of time with designers, architects and a host of other professionals to make sure the spa meets all expectations, with every individual part being of an extremely high standard.”

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Eid feasts, Eid stays and Eid spa packages announced for Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai

The Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai has announced its plans for a grand Eid feast as well as other promotions over the holiday period.

The Eid Lunch Buffet will be served at The Atrium restaurant at AED150 per person. It will feature signature dishes from different parts of the Arab world, live cooking stations, as well as international favourites. Kids’ activities are also planned, and children under six dine for free (up to two children per family), while those between six and 12 years enjoy 50% off.

Peter Mansourian, General Manager of Grand Millennium Dubai, said, "We invite you to enjoy a sumptuous Eid lunch with your family and friends and let the children enjoy the special entertainment. Also, The Atrium enjoys the status of an exclusive restaurant for those willing to reward themselves with outstanding culinary fare as the outlet consistently delivers quality dishes in a familiar environment, with a team of dedicated staff to pamper and make you feel at home.”

The Eid Stay offer begins from AED599 with a complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults, while the Eid Glamour package at the Jasmine Spa offers 120 minutes of pleasure for AED525. Indulge in a 45-minute Moroccan hammam session followed by a Balinese massage for 40 minutes,  a 25-minute facial and a 10-minute flower bath. 

Ramadhan tent at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Source: Meydan Hotels & Hospitality website.

For the month of Ramadhan, the Al Hadheerah, an open-air desert restaurant modelled after a traditional fort at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, will present traditional Arab cuisine along with cultural entertainment in an air-conditioned tent.

Islamic wellness traditions to catch on globally in 2015 and beyond

Spafinder Wellness 365 has released its 12th report* on the top 10 spa and wellness trends set to unfold in 2015.

“In our 12 years of trend-tracking, we have never seen spa/wellness concepts go so deep and global, be so meaningful and move in so many surprising, provocative directions,” said Spafinder Wellness Chief Brand Officer Mia Kyricos. “Our goal is to provide an in-depth resource and help the industry make informed decisions by analysing the social, cultural and economic shifts that fuel each trend.”

The top global spa and wellness trends for 2015 include wellness traditions from the Islamic world.

According to Spafinder, the world has as yet been not noticed what the wellness traditions of the Islamic world can offer with its "advanced food-as-medicine, and nature-based beauty and healing practices, refined for 1,000 years". The company predicts that more people will seek nutritional, beauty and “spa” traditions central to Islamic cultures in years ahead. 

Middle Eastern and African spices, grains and fruits will be the buzzed-about superfoods, ingredients used for both food and beauty (from camel’s milk to baobab fruit) will trend, and spas will offer more experiences like rasul**/mud treatments and sand bathing.

Spafinder suggests checking out the blackseed-infused, Senegalese skincare line, Tiossan, and the planned Zulal Destination Spa (Doha, Qatar, 2017), which is to be the first retreat to immerse guests in the well-being traditions from across the Islamic world. 

Read the report here. 

*The report is based on surveys with the company’s network of consumers, travel agents and spa/wellness businesses conducted over the last year. 

**A rasul is a room in the Arab tradition where steam and mud are applied to bodies.

Malaysia's Jakim to determine shari'ah compliance for more industries

The Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is extending its responsibilities for shari'ah-compliant guidelines, including to tourism, the hotel industry and spa services, the Malaysian Insider reported on June 19, citing a Bernama report. 

According to Bernama, the National Council for Islamic Affairs has asked Jakim to determine shari'ah compliance for additional services besides from food products and Islamic banking, the two industries that Jakim associated with.