SHANGRI-LA Hotels and Resorts’ signature spa brand CHI recently opened at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, as the first CHI in the United Arab Emirates and the second in the region.
The new Abu Dhabi spa includes 10 luxury single treatment suites and one couple’s suite, all designed for relaxation and wellbeing. CHI has separate facilities for men and women, with individual areas that include special showers, steam and vitality hydro pools. There is an experience shower which uses colour therapy and cold and warm jets to revive and invigorate, a herbal steam room exuding herbs with steam used to relieve and relax tired muscles and a vitality hydro pool that helps reduce stress.
Featured is a black slate hammam - guests recline within the steam on hot stone slabs to open the pores after which they receive a massage. A scrub is then applied and the humidity from the steam encourages detoxification. The scrub is washed off and Moroccan black mud combined with seaweed is then applied to moisturise the skin. The treatment is completed with a rain shower to wash off the mud, leaving the guest with smooth skin.
The CHI rooftop lap pool deck is open for exercise or relaxation, and healthy, low fat dishes are available. Foot massages and reflexology are also available on the rooftop poolside.
Abu Dhabi’s new luxury spa destination is the 12th CHI to open worldwide, with others in Thailand, mainland China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Oman and Fiji, with plans for over 20 CHI to be introduced in selected Shangri-La city centre and resort locations during the next four years.
The Asia Pacific Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group is actively expanding its CHI spa brand worldwide.
“Shangri-La was the first luxury hotel group to develop a spa concept intrinsically linked to a specific geographical region, namely the Himalayas,” says Ian Brewis, senior director, spas and health clubs.
The concept was also developed in collaboration with a team of recognised specialists with treatments based on the Chinese philosophy of the five elements, in which metal, water, wood, fire and earth are in balance with the positive Yang and negative Yin energy within the body.
CHI, The Spa, features some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites and villas in their markets. Designed to create a spa within a spa environment, each is complete with its own private bath, shower, steam, relaxation lounge, changing and vanity areas.