AKASHA HOLISTIC WELLBEING CENTRE
AT HOTEL CAFÉ ROYAL LAUNCHES NEW CLEOPATRA-INSPIRED GOLD TREATMENTS
New York - June 8, 2016: Following in the footsteps of legendary beauty Cleopatra, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre - the spa concept of The Set hotels - is delighted to announce an indulgent new hammam treatment centered around the rejuvenating qualities of gold. Created exclusively for London’s Hotel Cafe Royal by cosmetic artisan spa brand La Sultane de Saba, the 23 Carat Gold Signature Hammam prevents the signs of aging and leaves skin glowing.
Playing a part in ancient beauty rituals, with the ancient Egyptians as its most famous fans, gold was used in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing qualities and ability to bring elasticity to the skin. The four-step ritual, which lasts either 75 or 90 minutes, will use a combination of 23 carat gold, mother of pearl and caviar extract which adorn the face and body throughout.
The 23 Carat Gold Signature Hammam ritual commences on the hammam plinth surrounded by copper bowls filled with rose petals and flickering candles, which fill the air with an opulent fragrance. The sound of softly played Moroccan music and aromatic steam creates a fitting ambiance for the welcome ceremony, which uses a mist of orange blossom, rose and rose geranium on the body alongside gemstones - to promote harmony throughout.
Once this is completed the Akasha therapists perform the following treatments:
Gold Infused Body and Face Exfoliation
The exfoliation starts with a full body cleanse using black soap blended with gold minerals. A traditional kessa glove is then used with a technique that massages the body while providing the most invigorating exfoliation with immediate and visible results. The face is then cleansed with a 23 carat gold jelly and exfoliated with 23 carat gold anti-aging scrub combining micronized pearls and corundum extract to soften and smooth the complexion. The experience is complete by a Pure Lava Clay & Gold hair treatment to remove impurities, and smooth and condition the hair and scalp.
Gold Back Massage OR Mini Gold Facial
Following the exfoliation, guests are given the choice of an indulgent massage or decadent facial. The Gold Back Massage uses 100% pure shea butter which is melted and combined with an oil of the guest’s choice that is steeped with gold minerals. The massage is an exceptional anti-aging and nourishing skin treat while the deeply relaxing and muscle melting techniques provide the ultimate back massage.
The first step of the Mini Gold Facial is an anti-aging massage using a luscious honey and gold balm. The silky textured balm is placed on the face, neck and décolleté using hypnotic moves that gently lift, smooth and plump the skin. Hot towels, infused with a facial tonic, remove the balm before a 23 carat gold liquid mask is applied, during which the therapist starts the head and scalp massage. The final part of the facial is a gold elixir serum, enriched with caviar and argan oil, which is applied to the face alongside a 23 carat gold anti-aging cream infused with mother of pearl and hyaluronic acid.
The ritual is completed with a ceremonial mist, after which guests are invited to spend time in the relaxation room with an invigorating fresh mint tea and sweet pastry. Guests booking the 90-minute 23 Carat Gold Signature Hammam can tailor their experience further with a longer Gold Back Massage or Full Gold Facial, or a combination of the two.
ABOUT AKASHA HOLISTIC WELLBEING CENTRE
Spanning over 1,200sqm, the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre is an urban retreat in the heart of London underneath buzzing Regent Street. Akasha is a Sanskrit word that encapsulates the core vision to harmoniously unite the four basic elements of nature: earth, water, fire and air. The combination enables a transformative and balancing experience where body, mind and soul are aligned. Akasha provides a unique wellbeing experience that assists guests and members in promoting health, happiness and fulfilment, while improving personal balance. Akasha is home to one of London’s only Watsu pools, an 18m pool and 300sqm gym fully equipped with the latest technology including LifeFitness equipment. Akasha memberships start from £208 per month (with a £1,000 joining fee) and include access to all fitness classes, five guest day spa passes, 10% discount on Akasha products, three admissions to The Club at Hotel Café Royal and access to Akasha Wellbeing Centre at Conservatorium, Amsterdam. When joining Akasha members will be given a personalised fitness plan, personal training session and a 50 minute spa treatment.
ABOUT HOTEL CAFÉ ROYAL:
Previously the haunt of famed patrons, from royalty and celebrity, to the creative and the notorious, Café Royal has been an established and iconic landmark on the British capital’s social scene for a century and a half. In its recent reincarnation, as a luxury hotel, Café Royal remains an established favorite for locals, while becoming a global destination. Located in the heart of London, with elegant Mayfair to the West and creative Soho to the East, the hotel is perfectly positioned within walking distance of London’s finest shopping streets, tourist attractions and theater district. Within the hotel, grand historic areas have been sensitively restored, while 160 guestrooms and suites (including six signature suites) have been created in a contemporary yet refined style. Continuing its celebrated legacy of excellent hospitality and dining, the hotel offers a selection of restaurants and bars, including The Club at Café Royal and holistic wellbeing concept, Akasha.
ABOUT THE SET:
Hotel Café Royal in London - along with Conservatorium, Amsterdam and Lutetia, Paris (currently under renovation) - is a member of The Set hotels, a collection which reinvents grand dame properties at the heart of some of Europe’s greatest cities - transforming them into diverse, dynamic places where artists, patrons and lovers of the arts meet. Inspired by the artistic and imaginative heritage of the buildings and their locations, The Set authors a unique offering for the modern traveler: the height of classical refinement alongside leading contemporary design. Serenity and luxury at the center of the metropolis. A character and approach informed by and intertwined with culture and the arts. Each hotel is crafted in its own unique identity and aesthetic to provide a truly distinctive luxury service and comfort. Under the visionary craft of David Chipperfield and Piero Lissoni, our properties have been transformed from iconic buildings into world leading hotels. This legacy continues under the mastery of Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s reimagination of the Lutetia, Paris, due to re-open in 2017.