The Crown Plaza Hotel has the famous Spa Aquatonic and when I was still with Hayati he asked me to give it a try. He wanted to buy me a yearly membership so I could go with him to the aquatonic pool several times a week.
I was very impressed with the size and beauty of the spa. It's just gorgeous! My photos do not do the spa justice at all. I felt like I walked into a calming sanctuary. The ladies room was beyond amazing and very large. I went when it wasn't crowded so I almost had the place to myself.
I immediately met an American lady who wasn't the least bit friendly. She was almost rude as I asked her several questions (utilizing my best Southern manners) about her experience at the spa. Of course she was a damn "Yankee"! ;) LOL! I finally got her to open up a little. She didn't seem like the spa type and kind of looked like a prison guard. :P
I was quickly whisked away to the aquatonic pool where a spa attendant gave me a tour and explained they would let me try it out for free. That day was mixed but there wasn't any ladies in the pool.
I wasn't allowed to take pics inside the pool area so this one is from the Spa Aquatonic website (here). I loved my experience in the pool and everything about the spa up to that point.
Every detail of the spa is well thought of and immaculate. You really feel like you're in a 'real' spa and not a tiny space made to feel like a spa.
The lobby where you can sit and have tea and juice.
Ginger tea
The front door and the parking lot is out to the right. They have valet parking in front of the Hotel door. One thing I do not like about the spa is the location. You have to drive to Farwaniya and it's not pleasant. Still, the amazing Spa Aquatonic is worth it.
Inside the room I was shocked how large it was compared to other spas. Their rooms are very quiet and the massage tables are even heated. Unfortunately the room was freezing cold and I kept asking the massage therapist to make it warmer but she never fixed it. I literally had the shakes from the chill and asked her to turn up the heated table and cover me with extra towels. :(
Everything about this spa is amazing except for the actual massage. The massage therapist was the worst one I've ever had in my life. She was just terrible and I'm not a difficult customer. Her English was good but if I asked her something she wouldn't do it. I asked her to concentrate on two key areas and she just ignored me. I asked her again and she did the opposite of what I asked. She kept talking the entire time and I just kept getting more and more agitated. She didn't even seem to know how to give a massage so I asked her if she was new. She said that she had been there for years. Apparently they had just lost several of their best therapists because a new salon owner came and hired them. I was beyond disappointed with the massage and on the verge of getting sick from the freezing cold air.
Lovely attention to details.
This is where you go to relax after your treatment and I was alone. I thought about complaining but then I didn't want to get her in trouble. I knew nothing could fix her technique and that only those who do not get regular massages would think she was decent.
I would definitely go back and try another massage therapist because Hayati said they are usually top notch. I was disappointed in the treatment but my overall experience with the acquatonic pool and spa itself was amazing.
I use to go there regularly last year for massages. Because all the details that you mentioned and the big rooms. Then I stopped due to the location. It is difficult to drive in traffic after work all the way to farwaniya. I use to get massage with “ Mayona” and she was good. Maybe you like to try her too. Last time I went, she was on vacation and I had to book another girl and she was as horrible as you described. I didn’t feel her massage !!
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if “ Mayona” still there but I will call them up and go for it this week.
I can't stand that area and driving there for me is very stressful. They will not even allow me to spend the night at the Crown because I'm a single girl with Kuwaiti residency. Thanks for your comment and the recommendation. :) What spa do you go to now?
DeleteExpat, what do you mean by "i'm a single girl with Kuwaiti Residency"...are single expat girls not allowed to book a room at hotels in kuwait? I was planning on doing so next month :(
DeleteIn most Kuwait hotels you can not stay in them if you are single and a resident of Kuwait. It's the Kuwaiti Law. There are only a few that makes exceptions to the rule because they house US contractors, company employees, etc.
DeleteI have been there many times. Apple (yes, that's her name) is very good if she's still there for massages.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I complained to the spa manager about a few things that bothered us (like the fact that several of the new masseuses were wearing street clothes and not uniforms). His response and mannerisms pissed us off more than the circumstances and we vowed to go to Missoni (how the Hell do you spell that??) the next time we want to lay down the big bucks. I think that the management is slipping. They may want to re-think their strategy.
If you are lazy (like me) and don't want to drive all the way to a spa, call Pinkies. They will come to your house with their massage table, oils, AND tea/coffee and music for around 20KD for an hour massage (ladies only)! They're really good. They have a website (don't have the contact info on me).
Pinkies sounds perfect. I dislike driving in Kuwaiti traffic after a relaxing massage treatment. If you can post Pinkies number that would be great. Thanks xoxo
DeleteWow, your story started off OK then after meeting the prison guard it was really all down hill after that - is it really worth going through the guettos of Farwaniya, to be greeted by a miserable American only to be massaged by an ill-trained masseuse in Siberia? You might want to take up Desert girl's suggestion by just booking Pinkies and they will come to your home - could be a hit and miss also, but maybe you will be pleased with their service like your friend. In-home services in Kuwait are the rage now because of the outrageous traffic problems. OR you can just add spa visit to your next Dubai trip on your Girl's Week-end - now let's talk about fabulous five-star spa's. I could write that one.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely try in-home services on work nights. Usually on the weekend we stay at the hotel if we beach / spa. To avoid driving home. We couldn't stay at the Crown because of their strict rules. I will try Pinkies soon and post about it. :)
DeleteI was a member of the Spa at the Crowne Plaza. The actual pool was amazing but the problem was that during the women-only sessions, the 'local' women would arrive in droves and get into the pool fully dressed - usually in their tracksuit bottoms and tee shirts. They were also really noisy in the pool and left the changing rooms in a complete mess. I complained that it was unfair and unhygenic that they were allowed to get into the pool fully clothed (probably wearing clothes that they had exercised in) but my comments were totally disregarded. Yet the management had the nerve to complain to me and several others when they thought our swimming caps were not suitable!! It was obviously that the management were too scared to complain to the 'locals' but didn't hold back when they wanted to complain to foreigners. So this was one of the reasons why I didn't renew my membership. Also as you pointed out the masseuses were not that good. You could pay half the price in a local salon and get a far better massage treatment.
ReplyDeleteYou should have just jumped in the pool naked! LOOOL! ;P
DeleteI agree with the above comment - the women-only sessions in the spa were SCARCY! They usually got in fully dressed and were always screaming and yelling to each other. Their maids would be sat at the side of the pool to assist them when they got out of the water. The locker rooms were terrible -they threw wet towels everywhere and their stuff was all over the place. I once found a soiled sanitary napkin lying in the changing room. YUCK! However, the mixed sex sessions were quieter and the men were usually too embarrassed to be caught looking at you in the pool. The treatments were very mediorce,they certainly didn't justify the expensive price tag.
ReplyDeleteEx-member
Do you go to a new spa in Kuwait now?
DeleteI don't understand why some woman jump into pools fully clothed even if it's ladies only!!! i asked about it, it's due to some religious views even if your around other woman you should be covered up,evil eye etc...I think am going to listen to DG and give pinkies a call if not my friend recommended me someone from Australia i think shes charges 15kd an hour either way..all this work this week my back and neck are killing me!! Need them worked on asap :(
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it goes if you try Pinkies this week. If Desert Girl likes them then I know they're are good. :)
ReplyDeleteI love there unique pool
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous and surely the best one in Kuwait. :)
DeleteDifferent sugject - have you read '50 Shades of Grey'? You can't get it in the middle-east it is banned but it is a NYC best seller list novel and I am enjoying it like most of the US. I would think you would like it after a big breakup and I find the Kuwaitis very controlling. If it was legal and translated in Arabic, it might be a best seller here also, oddly enough. You might want to pick up a copy through your sources
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't read the book but thank you for the suggestion. I could use a little erotic fiction in my life. :P I will order it to my besties APO mailbox. :D
DeleteI found the website for Pinkies:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinkiesspa.com/
I haven't tried them yet and no, they didn't contact me to post this. All I know is that if DG says they are good then they're good. :)
Have you tried Spa Time in Avenues, Phase 2? I love it :-D
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never tried them but heard they are fantastic. The problem for me is that after a relaxing massage the last thing I want to do is find my way out of The Avenues and drive home 35 or more minutes in Kuwaiti traffic. Too stressful and will take away the benefits of the massage.
DeleteOne of the best spas in Kuwait, if not the best.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back to the pool again but not sure if I would try another massage.
DeleteMy favorite spa in Kuwait.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to go in the pool again. It's really awesome. :)
DeleteI just tried a new Spa in Salmiya called " Sabaidee Spa" , it is near Missoni hotel, the building is behind Beauty Tek for men. They have Thai Spa, it was amazing Thai touch overthere. The price is very reasonable,and you will earn rewarded point every time. They have almost all the services. There was quite empty when I get there so I don't feel the place is tiny. They do have jacuzzi and steam bath. I feel so relax, it likes I am in Thailand. Next week I will try a package, when I book online I earn a point as well.
ReplyDelete@Expat: Gurl, could you please do a post on skin care in Kuwait? As in, which sunscreen brands do you recommend for this weather? and daily skin routine etc? Thanks :)
ReplyDelete