The promise
SensAsia offers great treatments in stylish surroundings, without excessive bells and whistles. The After Spa-arty treatment is one of a new range in both ‘splurge’ and ‘steal’ price brackets for the holiday season. This particular session, designed to revive, includes a back, neck and shoulder massage plus a ‘heavenly’ head massage.

Step by step
After a foot soak in a bowl of water that smells faintly like toothpaste, I hop up onto the massage table. I’ve asked my therapist, Joon, to work the knots out of my back, and I marvel at the fluidity of her firm strokes. Though I wriggle under the pressure, it’s not as uncomfortable as I’ve been accustomed to. By the time we move on to the head massage, I’m far less tense.

The results
As we wrap up, Joon notes there was a lot of tension in my back and shoulders. Fortunately, she has done an excellent job of eradicating it. I feel looser, more relaxed physically, and far calmer mentally.

Pros
• This 45-minute treatment is ideal if you’re short on time.
• It doesn’t include the arms, legs and stomach, but unless you have a lot of tension in your legs, this is just as effective for relaxation.

Cons
• We’re not so sure about the pun.

4/5
Dhs295 for 45 minutes. SensAsia Urban Spas, various locations including Emirates Golf Club (04 417 9820).