Time for a treat
With the heat proving insufferable, it is time to take some ‘me’ time and head for a spa treatment. We look at what some of the top spas recommend
Cyprus isn’t just known for its sandy beaches and warm weather; various spas from around the island have been featured in top women’s magazines from all over the world as one of the most luxurious and healthy ways to unwind, detoxify and beautify. But who offers what?
Columbia Beach Resort – Columbia Spa
The spa is cosy, quiet and private in an utterly luxurious environment. The 1,050m² Columbia Spa is equipped with top-of-the-range products and professional therapists, boasting five treatment rooms, a spa bath, plunge pool, sauna and steam room. Recent refurbishments to the spa have taken place to coincide with the launch of partnerships with Molton Brown and Phytomer, both modern luxury companies offering professional spa treatments, detoxifying, contouring, anti-cellulite and firming body treatments.
They recommend the Celestial Maracuja Body Cocoon and Massage, a rich and indulgent body therapy that will drench the skin with moisture and exotic maracuja passion-flower oils. A fusion of raw sugar and flower extracts is first massaged into the body to boost circulation and to polish and brighten skin tone. Then experience being cocooned in a warm and creamy infusion of acacia and rich natural moisturisers to hydrate, plump and firm the skin. Once cleansed, you will be left to drift away as your body is treated to the hypnotic and soothing body massage with Indian sandalwood oils, leaving you deeply relaxed and wonderfully perfumed and hydrated.
Price: £92 for 100 minutes
Contact: 25 833756
City Spa
The spa is part of an international chain of anti-ageing centres offering programmes in aesthetics, spa, slimming and laser treatments. Located in the heart of Nicosia, it is easy to forget you are in a busy city location.
They recommend the Mesotherapy Botox treatment, which is suitable for the summer, unlike laser treatments. Mesotherapy is a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamins and improves the tone and elasticity of the skin. You can achieve a firmer and smoother look, better-hydrated and rejuvenated skin, minimising those wrinkles. Mesotherapy also fights against skin changes caused by the ageing process as well as intrinsic conditioning factors (age, gender, etc) and extrinsic factors (sun exposure, smoking, etc). They promise positive results within three days. Call for a free consultation.
Price: £300 for forehead, eyebrow area and eyes
Contact: 77777758
Elysium Hotel – Opium Health Spa
The spa boasts one of the most impressive ranges of products, which have been carefully selected and formulated to combine the therapeutic benefits of spa treatments, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and skin care. With a collection of exceptionally natural, high quality products, deeply relaxing and anti-stressing oils, revitalising seaweeds, cleansing mud, exfoliating sea salts and therapeutic herbs, you can achieve outstanding results on both face and body while bringing a calm serenity to the mind.
They recommend trying the Espa Total Holistic with Hot Stones. “As a spa manager, I understand the importance of relaxation,” says Ana Manuela Silva. “To achieve this at the Opium Health Spa I would recommend this treatment, which is one of my personal favourites.” There are seven subtle energy centres in the body, which control our equilibrium and inner harmony and through which one’s life force energy flows. Total Holistic begins as the body is massaged with Espa blended aromatherapy oils using volcanic hot stones. The stones are carefully placed on the energy centres and gentle stretching helps release deep-seated tension around the neck and shoulders. Critical tension points around the eyes and ears are massaged before an acupressure head massage is given.
Price: £85
Contact: 26 844513
Aphrodite Hills – The Retreat
The spa boasts one of the most unique designs in Cyprus. The outline concept of The Retreat was that of a monastery, built on the ruins of a Roman thermae. In line with this, the design of The Retreat is truly monastic, spacious, with galleried hallways and an emphasis on the use of local materials, such as stone. With a total of 24 tranquil treatment rooms, the luxurious spa facility has an expert team dedicated to providing the ultimate spa experience to clear the mind, soothe the body and indulge the spirit. The Spa was also voted one of the top three destination spas in Europe at the Professional Beauty Awards 2007.
They recommend the Full Hammam Ritual. The Greco-Roman bathing rituals of cleansing and relaxation are truly represented in the ultimate hammam experience, combining the benefits of hammam steam bathing, with exfoliation and massage. Starting with 15 minutes in the steam room, you are then led to one of three hammam treatment rooms, where you can recline on a heated marble plinth. After being deeply cleansed using a natural loofah lathered with essential oil soap, a full-body soap massage will follow. It will relieve tension, built-up stress and tired, aching muscles.
Price: £65 for 85 minutes
Contact: 26 828100
Anassa – Thalassa Spa
The spa has recently reopened after an upgrade and refurbishment. The new concept involves a holistic approach to well-being, offering The Organic Pharmacy’s and Osea’s 100% natural product lines, complemented by an expanded Thalasso programme, holistic and therapeutic lifestyle consulting, acupuncture, spa cuisine and natural treatments using local produce. You can indulge in a one-off treatment or immerse yourself in a four to ten day retreat or detoxifying programme.
They recommend the Anassa signature Cypriot scrub and wrap. A local flavour of Cyprus with Organic Cypriot virgin olive oil, sea salt, oregano, yoghurt and honey. This natural, potent remedy will leave your skin healthy and radiant.
Price: £70 for 60 minutes
Contact: 26 888000
Azia Resort – The Asphodel Spa
The spa is a hymn to nature, intriguing yet calming to the mind. The sound of falling water, the fine essence of ouzo and anise, the breeze in the garden rooms and the rich natural textures are enough to make you want a massage right now! After all, Elle magazine in the UK featured it in their Best 10 spas in the world and The Times wrote: “It is like entering a capsule of tranquillity. Azia manages to do luxury without snootiness or class ostentation, a rarity these days.”
They recommend the Ritual Renewal. A combination of five treatments including the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, Deep Tissue massage, Amethyst steam bath, phototherapy wellness room, water movement pool, infrared body healing sauna and use of the indoor pool chill-out area and Jacuzzi. The Renewal Ritual can even be organised for a couple in a double garden treatment room.
Price: £85 each for approximately three hours
Contact: 26 845100
Body Care
The spa is a 100-year-old house that has been renovated by Anthoulla Santi, the owner. Situated next to the Saint Lazaros church in Larnaca, Body Care has nine treatment rooms dedicated to treatments such as laser, slimming and aesthetics and even a coffee room. Old shutters surround the windows and there are balconies reminiscent of beautiful old properties. You’ll be taken away by the old beauty this house possesses and appreciate the gorgeous stone staircase when you leave feeling like a million dollars! New treatments such as the PowerPlate machine are also available.
They recommend the Ultrasound Cellulite Treatment, a new, innovative and effective orange peel skin buster. Ultrasound ‘light energy’ delivers a carefully controlled measure of light energy below the skin’s surface, where your thigh cellulite fats are doing their lumpy damage to your upper skin surface look. T
hese thigh fat cells rapidly absorb the ultrasound energy, increasing cell interior temperatures by perhaps five degrees or more… just enough to break down the cell membrane and release the stored cellular fat for natural body elimination.
Price: depends according to number of treatments
Contact: 24 664203
Londa Hotel
The spa is the perfect place to recover from the pressures of everyday routine. You can do so through exercise, pampering and relaxation. Chose from 50 individual Darphin Spa range treatments for total well-being or use the well-equipped gym for cardiovascular optimum fitness. The new Spa Range, Payot, has also been introduced. The spa, with its sauna, steam bath, plunge pool, Jacuzzi, and jet power pool, provides total relaxation and body rejuvenation. But whatever you do, take some time to relax on the terrace and deck overlooking the sea and get a hand and foot massage by the pool.
They recommend trying the oxygen therapy, which is one of the most effective skin treatments for anti-ageing. The treatment helps restore elasticity, so once the appropriate serum is applied to the skin, the oxygen is pushed into it, helping to restore depleted moisture levels, leaving you with a sense of well-being and amazing skin.
Price: £65
Contact: 25 865561
Jacques Dessange Paris
The spa claims that it is the only chain spa in the world to offer ‘Total Beauty’ services. It specialises in organising customised programmes for those who value well-being and aim for a quality lifestyle. By taking advantage of its gym, spa, salon and beauty services, you will enjoy a pleasant and relaxing experience at this luxurious setting situated in the heart of Nicosia.
They recommend the Spa & Ayurveda massage. Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity, has a history as long as human civilisation itself. Perfected by astute minds and adept hands, it is aimed at the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of human beings. Ayurveda is also one of the greatest gifts of the sages of ancient India and is recognised as the oldest scientific medical system. With the new and modern technological age, finding harmony and balance through this magnificent treatment just got so much better.
Price: £58 for 1 hour and 55 minutes
Contact: 22 460000
