We review the newly-opened Spa by JW and The Barber Shop inside the refurbished iconic city store, Akbarallys, now known as Akbarallys Men.
Spa by JW
Spa by JW
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Housed in JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, which opened this summer, is Spa by JW. This is the company's new spa concept, with its first outlet in Houston, US and this being their first outlet in the Asia-Pacific region.
The location is perfect for people on-the-go, as it is located opposite the T2 terminal. The property is expansive, with separate sauna, steam and shower rooms, and massaging jet pools for men and women, individual treatment rooms (with and without a shower cubicle option and one for ayurvedic rituals) and a couple treatment room. An appointment for the spa session includes the complementary use of the steam, sauna or the massaging jet pool (a bathing suit is
compulsory for use).
The spa includes a retail section where one can buy products used in their therapies, and energy bars as well
Like a restaurant menu, the spa menu is divided into different sections: Calm, Indulge, Invigorate, Renew and Essentials (manicure, pedicure treatments). So if you have had a long travel or an exhausting day at work, you can pick a treatment from the calm section, which has specially-designed therapies to relax and revive your muscles. They also offer facials and body polishing treatments in each of the sections. Interesting features at the spa include the Express treatments that use a custom-made chair for sessions that use no oil.
The Express treatment is a no oil massage
The Express treatment
The Express chair treatments are divided into 12, 25 or 40-minute sessions and they are time-saving as one doesn't have to change into a bathrobe. After breathing in a dab of aromatic oil on a tissue, one has to sit with their face down on the chair, where the masseuse works on your back or neck while a 'calming' video comprising generic spa music and desktop wallpaper-style topography photographs are played on a tablet. The aim of this is indulging all your senses (oil for smell, the video for sight and ears), though we are sure many would prefer it without the video. Though 12 minutes might seem short, our masseuse's deft movements were sufficient to relax our shoulders and back in a short time. This option can work well, combined with a simple pedicure session for a quick all-over relaxing session.
On offer are individual rooms and couple treatment rooms. Pic/Nimesh Dave
Spa treatment
Since this was our first visit to the spa, we picked the Signature Spa by JW treatment from the Invigorate section. It's a
90-minute treatment, but we shortened it to an hour-long session. The treatment begins with a foot cleanse. Much to our delight, the bed was automatically heated and solved the problem of feeling chilly mid-way through a treatment.
The Signature treatment is a rigorous massage segment that also involves Thai massage stretching. Our sore muscles crackled under the slow movements of our masseuse Tashi's hands but after the first few minutes, the pain eased away. We could feel the muscles loosening. The therapy also includes a head massage with an aromatic oil (which we plan to buy from their store later). They also have a separate grooming room for one to do their make-up and moisturising, which would have to be done in washroom otherwise. Post the shower, you are treated to a refreshing herbed tea.
Overall experience
The service at the spa is excellent and not once will you feel rushed. Our attendent patiently waited for us while we finished our shower and had the tea ready at the right temperature when we had finished. Our favourite bit is it being open 24/7, so you can go in early morning before work, or even post a club-hop session.
Open: 24/7
At: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, IA Project Road, Andheri (E).
Call: 28538791
Cost: Rs 1,150 for Express chair massages, Rs 3,600 onwards for spa treatments
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