Selma Roth

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Serenity is the first word that comes to mind when entering Evania Ladies’ Spa in Jeddah.



White drapes around a small, crystal clear pool with floating rose petals and candles, blue mosaic tiles, fragrant bouquets of pink lilies – everything here radiates tranquility and instantly wipes out the rush outside and inside yourself.



The name – Evania means serenity in Latin – couldn’t be more appropriate.



Located in the Al-Hamra district of Jeddah – an area full of luxurious hotels and restaurants, but also disconcerting roadblocks and traffic jams due to the ongoing construction works – Hotel Park Hyatt boasts of a 2.5-acre spa complex, divided into the Evania Ladies’ Spa and the Seba Gentlemen’s Sports and Wellness Center.



While both are similar in layout, Evania includes a large outdoor swimming pool and offers slightly different treatments. The spas are beautifully located overlooking the ever-blue Red Sea and recently won an award by World Luxury Spa Rewards in the category Best Luxury Fitness Spa.



Customers are greeted with a sweat ginger tea that helps relieve stress, gives the immune system a boost, and encourages blood circulation. 



The services available consist of relaxation, therapeutic, and fitness facilities to cater a broad range of wishes.



Evania tries to return to the original meaning of the Latin word “spa,” an abbreviation of Sanitas Per Aquas or “healing by waters,” while combining this with sports and treatment areas.



The spa is unique for its aquamedic pool, an indoor pool full of therapeutic jets that massage the body and release tension.



Popular is also the spacious outdoor pool, the only one in Jeddah for ladies, which is frequented by sun worshipers and kids alike.



Other facilities are a Turkish hammam, treatment rooms with private terraces, green gardens, a gym, tennis and squash courts, as well as a hair and beauty salon.



A restaurant, Dardasha – Arabic for “chitchat” – is located next to the outdoor pool. It serves delicious, light Mediterranean salads, sandwiches, pastas and sweets.



Medical and nutritional professionals are present to ensure the healing effects will last well beyond your stay at the spa.



Visitors can opt for a yearly membership with access to all facilities for SR 25,000.



This price includes one personal training session, one complimentary treatment, 20 percent discount on all services, and the possibility to invite a guest for SR 250-350.



The yearly membership for couples costs SR 35,000, whereas the family membership (for up to eight persons) comes at a price of SR 75,000 for the first year and SR 28,500 for consecutive years. However, à la carte treatments are also available, ranging from SR350 for the Swedish Massage to SR720 for the Caviar Facial, as are packages that combine various spa and salon services.



They include complimentary access to the Turkish hammam and relaxation room. An additional SR 350 can be paid to enjoy admission to all other facilities.



All treatments make use of essential oils, thermal mineral mud, and algae for additional benefits. A specialty is the Caviar Facial, a 1.5 hour treatment that uses products enriched with caviar to cleanse, scrub, and steam the face. It includes a massage and facial masque.



The number of massages available is enormous, making it difficult to choose just one treatment. Apart from the ones often found in spas, such as relaxing, hot stone, and deep tissue massages, Evania offers aqua massages, a Thai massage – not for touchy persons! – and even a yoga massage that stretches your body in yoga-like positions to correct posture, release tensions, and increase body balance.



Special recommendation deserves the Balinese Ritual, a full body, face, and scalp massage with lavender oil that combines long strokes with pressure points for complete relaxation. The soothing lavender oil fragrance and soft classical music playing in the background will transport your mind to a different world.



Those who wish to shed a few pounds or tone their body may opt for a Lipomassage to reduce cellulite and sculpture the body, have a fitness session with a personal trainer who will prepare a program tailored to their needs, or consult a nutritionist specialized in a simple, wholesome diet.



While providing these world-class services, Evania has been able to honor the country’s local traditions in the harmonious oriental architecture, including courtyard-style stairs and pictures of Middle-Eastern vegetation.



The spa staff are extremely friendly and attentive. Care has been taken to every small detail you can envisage – from providing cold water bottles to ensuring guests stay for no more than 15 minutes in the steam bath, and from offering disposable undergarments during massages to running a Camp Hyatt for children – to leave you with nothing to worry but which treatment to choose from the extensive list of possibilities.



Evania is opened daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and one could easily spend an entire day at the spa’s premises.



So make sure you arrive as soon as the spa opens to make the most of your time.



Kick start your day at the gym with a strenuous workout, plunge in the outdoor swimming pool to cool down and catch some morning sun vitamin D, get rid of toxics in the Turkish hammam, and drift away during the treatment of your choice. You will surely be completely Zen by the end of the day.



For more information about Evania as well as the Seba spa for men, visit http://jeddah.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp.