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Q1 Spa in Surfers Paradise, on Australia's famed Gold Coast boasts the indigenous inspired Mali Mapi mud treatment and exfoliation. Which, if I didn't know better, was the real meaning of the word "dreamtime..."
On a rainy summer's day I found myself aimlessly wandering Surfers Paradise's urban jungle - through busy streets chock of fast paced business suits, designer shoppers and daytime neon lights. My destination: the Q1 building. Aka: ‘The Tallest Building in the Southern Hemisphere' as any local will proudly recite, following with it would have been ‘the world,' but Dubai trumped that idea.' In fact Q1 is the 25th tallest building in the world, higher than the NYC Chrysler, and I am impressed it would be compared to the Burj Khalifa, having before stared up at the colossal tower, wondering if Jack threw his magic beans into the foundation cement - it's that high!
So to get my bearings, I glanced up. Glistening through rainclouds was a bright white spire piercing the heavens above a skyline of scrapers. It was a magnificent sight and I scanned my eyes to the building attached. 322.5m is noticeably not as high as the Burj Khalifa of 828m. Perhaps no vertigo feeling will hit you on sight, but you will definitely feel a sense of international glamour. To be precise, I was entering an award-winning Spa.
Pettina, the manager, warmly greeted me and directed the way to an exclusive change room, complete with private shower and WC. With robe and slippers provided for the day, I was escorted to a soothing Jacuzzi for bubble soaking before my treatment began. The warm temperature and back-massaging jets immediately lifted any stress. Time vanished, I was escorted to a treatment room where massage therapist Fi introduced herself and described what the Mali Mapi experience was all about.
Fi tells me a female pharmacist, having studied native Australian flaura and fauna befriended a female indigenous elder and together they established the brand Li' Tya. Meaning ‘of the earth' Li'Tya's signature mud treatments, exfoliating salt scrubs and Australian native bush essential oils have been inspired by and created in harmony with traditional aboriginal cleansing rituals. Together they have presented this to the world, and Q1 proudly represent the products in all spa treatments.
Fi holds out a palette of purifying body mud and lemon myrtle desert salt samples, detailing the benefits of each, and I get to make my selection. Every treatment at Q1 Spa begins with a smoke ritual, where burning leaves give off an aroma of whatever you select. There is no foul burning smell, more an incensing aroma enveloping and immediately creating a calming bush-like atmosphere.
My feet are cleansed in warm, scented water. Heated oil is expertly massaged into my ligaments. I chose the detoxifying salt, which is hydro active and rubbed into my skin to rid dead cells, working on balance and purification. I have the option of a hand or foot massage, and I choose hands. The mud is painted onto my body and I am cocooned in a thermal cloth, while my pores absorb nutrients. The mud is deeply cleansing, and grounds my toxic system. While a regenerating Australian native peach hair mask is massaged into my scalp, my mind too easily picks up on calming music where I recognized faint kookaburras laughing. A female indigenous accent is mixed to modern soothing instrumental sounds on the soundtrack. Breathing in gum scented air, and am transported to the muddy banks of a lost lagoon where life stands still for a moment. I am purified, cozy and feel completely free from the world outside. I also can't help imagining life on earth 40,000 years ago, and the indigenous cleansing rituals before an important night. Next up is Vichy shower time, where water drops emulating rainwater is set to 38 degrees temp, and washes away the mud. 60 minutes have passed too quickly. I am robed, and led upstairs to the Relaxation room with detox tea and quiet time.
I float out of my ‘dreamtime' into the real world... Concrete streets again, damn - take me back to Q1 Spa please!
The Marriott hotel’s Lattouf hair and day spa, on Australia’s sparklingGold Coast in Queensland, combines an intoxicating infusion of the senses in order to create a perfect signature candle therapy massage. The Marriott hotel’s Lattouf hair and day spa is where amazing aromas, serene sounds and magical massage become like art.
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Marriott hotel sits on a glistening canal. If you arrive early, you might perch on a comfortable outdoor sofa to enjoy a moment of recreated tropical paradise within a city of sun. Or perhaps, seat yourself inside and soak in the elegance with air-chilled interiors. Lattouf Spa is located on the level 1, accessed only by lift, along with a state of the art gymnasium. The spa offers an abundance of hair indulgences and relaxing spa treatments, plus Jacuzzi, steam-room and sauna within a lovely five-star setting.
Antique wooden doors and burning candles frame Lattouf’s spa entrance, to immediately induce in guests a sublime relaxation state within the beauty den. On arrival, friendly staff will seat you, offer a soothing tea such as peppermint and liquorice, take your details, and escort you to a candle filled oasis treatment room - or into the modern hair salon, depending on the booking.
I enjoyed a Lattouf signature treatment; the pure Lattouf candle massage for intense hydration. A melon and fig infused candle was melted into oil, then expertly massaged and absorbed into my skin. While the candle aroma lingered, meditative soft tunes played on in background. Candle therapy works well for unwinding, with gliding elbows and kneeding hands on pressure points all the more smooth and sensual. Guests choose the candle scent to be burnt during massage. On offer are Lattouf exclusive aroma’s such as vanilla cinnamon and clove, or lemon and green tea, or Patchouli, aniseed, with ylang ylang – sounds like a hard decision? It is.
I recommend The Marriott Hotel Lattouf Hair & Spa to anyone seeking a spa which sparkles - a purely relaxing and indulgent day on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Contact tel: 1300 36 3737
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, near beach, parking, hotel restaurant, concierge, air-conditioning
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