Beyond Indulgence Spa Review

spa premises

My bestie, Antonia, was in town for the Christmas & New year holidays! I hadn't seen her since December, 2013 (she was around for my birthday) and it was an absolute delight having her around and catching up. She got me a lovely spa set, notepad, caftan and a birthday card containing the sweetest words for my birthday. I hosted her, my sis and other friends @my house with plenty food, small chops, drinks, cake and karaoke for my birthday (i shall do my usual bday post with more info) it was really fun. Coincidentally her house is just 'bout a 5min walk from my house so we got to see each other every other day *big grin!

Anyways i digress, i had been wanting to visit the spa for a while and when i mentioned it, she said i should pick a spa and we could go together as my birthday treat (isn't she just the bestest!). That's how i started spa hunting-googling & making calls -i wanted an affordable spa and sadly my usual spa (MB hammam) have hiked up their prices.

We settled on Beyond Indulgence Spa 'cos it had the most affordable price, looked decent from our research and i wanted to try a different spa.

MB Hammam

Basic Hammam N15,750 (used to be N10,000)

Traditional Hammam  N16,800 (used to be N12,000)

Six Senses Spa

Body Scrub N11,500

Morroccan Bath N18,500

Special Bath N25,000

Beyond Indulgence Spa

Basic N10,500

Complete basic (with Henna) N12,500

Traditional/Herbal Hammam N15,000

Soukhla Hammam N20,500

Reception

I called to book our appointment for 4:30pm, we got there on time and were welcomed at the reception. I asked if they have a PoS, they said it wasn't working but after the treatment they would have someone follow us to the ATM and collect the money. No wahala. We were led to the waiting area and were offered tea and water, which we declined. 

Waiting area

We only waited about 5mins before we were led through the salon to where we changed our shoes and were given constructible slippers and up the stairs to the spa section. We were led into the changing room which was really small and not quite welcoming (maintenance issues); we changed into towels and were given shower caps and free disposable undies.

Stairwell

Changing room

We went into the bath area where some olive oil based black soap was rubbed on us and we were led to a real nice steam room (it was white and bright with seats and looked like something out a sci-fi movie), i noticed the steam took a while to build up though n escapes real quick when d door is opened and this happened a couple of times. We were given a face towel for stopping sweat getting into our eyes and bottled water to drink in the steam room. There was nice soothing music playing in the background all the while.

Steam room

After about 20 minutes, we were taken out of the steam room and back to the bath area which had two tile slab beds with yoga mats (mine was yellow and had black stains and dots on it. i wasn't happy with that) on them. Warm water was used for us throughout, we laid down face down on the slab and were lathered with soap n were scrubbed proper and then we turned over for a repeat. The yoga mat was quite unstable and i kept sliding up and down the direction i was being scrubbed, i had to grab unto the tiles to avoid sliding off and there was no cushion to put head on so my braids got wet during rinsing. I'm not sure if the scrubbing sponge was new n used just for us.

Bath area

Bath area

The scrubbing was quite vigorous for me but definitely much needed, i guess their staff was bent on ridding me of all the dry peeling skin from my spots thanks to my Pityriasis Rosea episode (i'll do an update soon on my current situation and the effects harmattan has had on my skin) She did a good job. We were rinsed afterwards and given soap to wash our face, after proper rinsing we were sprayed with rosewater, tied our towels and headed for the changing room. Sadly we had to use the same 'unravelling' slippers we wore in the bath area to the changing room, it was soaking wet and frustrating 'cos it wouldn't stay on our feet.

Unravelling slippers and wet floor

Thanks to our wet unravelling slippers, the carpet in the changing room also got wet and it was difficult sliding moving around to change.The towel i was given was shedding n left annoying white fluff on my body, there was no moisturizer in the changing room n everyone knows how drying Hammam is talkless of during harmattan, luckily we brought along body moisturizer n shea butter which we used. It would have been nice to have partitions for privacy to change & dress up and a seat to do my makeup. I had to makeup in d lounge restroom which had better lighting

They had attentive n courteous staff, no PoS like i mentioned earlier so we had to drive Keystone bank with their guard n give him d cash

It was nice getting to have a spa time with Antonia this time around, the last time i had to leave her all alone at MB Hammam.
I rate them 6/10. They lost points for the following:

• Need for minor renovations on the premises-peeling wallpaper, cracked walls, etc.
• Not having a Pos 
• The several black unknown dots/stains on the yellow yoga mat placed on the slab where i was scrubbed
• No moisturizer or chair to seat or privacy partition in the small changing room
• Small showercap and no cushion to place my head during the bath so my hair got wet at the back
• Towel was shedding white fluff (sooo annoying)
• Tacky slippers that kept unravelling and making it hard to walk
• The scrubbing sponge used did not look new and we were not informed if it was or not

Toodles!XooX

What a friend we have in Jesus

I have always loved this hymn but of recent it has an even newer meaning and understanding to me. Jesus Christ is really the only friend we can confidently do a 'tell it all' with that we can completely trust, we can't demand the same of our 'earthly' friends 'cos no matter how much love exists between us, there are just things we'll tell them or situations we'll encounter as friends that'll be too much for one party to handle. No fear of being let down, jealousy, envy, change in feelings/mood, pulling back, etc. He is always there for us regardless of our situation. The love of Christ truly is agape. Life is way less complicated having him as ur best friend. He can meet all our emotional needs, provide support, strength,wisdom and more...

We still need our physical friends though, even the Bible emphasizes the need for constant fellowship and uplifting the spirits. The main thing is to chose our friends wisely, they should add value to you and vice-versa. Be sure to cut-off any 'unfruitful' friends 'cos they will only bring you down if you keep them around. The lyrics of the hymn are below, enjoy.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge,

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to

Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded there

will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship

will be our sweet portion there.

My Best Friend (in every sense of the words used) :D

I did a post way back here when someone I considered to be my best friend hurt me and opened my eyes. I thank her because she helped me see that I had an awesome friend who was more deserving of that title. My significant other always tries to fight for this title which I don’t mind but when he also observed how awesome she is he said we should share her! Na wa o, I no dey share abeg. I met Antonia in 2007 I think,  that was in my 300L, I met her through my ex-bestfriend and her roommate who she was classmates with, she’d come to browse in their room which got a better wifi-connection from the window. I’m cracking my head hard to remember these details so forget all the ‘I thinks’ that will be contained in this post. Merci. Moving on, when I first saw her I think I was attracted to her look, her outfit, stature and glasses, she looked like a boss walking on air and then she spoke and was so fluent. She laughed and I was in love!! Her laughter had so much character and was sooo full of life, can a person get any more real than that. Nope. We got closer when I’d visit her in her room, i knew most of her classmates and the girls on her floor, most of which were my acquaintances and a few friends. I got to know more about her, she was a Photoshop guru, she could draw, design outfits, she was an internet guru, hair guru, had a blog, writer of several short stories (gaminegirlie), a Nairaland (was really cool back then) regular, traveller (ajala traveller.lool)and a very smart hottie with lovely eyes and smile, among other things I could go on! She inspired me to start my own blog, I remember asking her something I wanted to do on the blog and she said ‘Google it’. I needed that kinda friend that would make me better and be frank with me. I got more and more close to her and people will ask ‘how are u even friends with her? She’s kinda weird’ and I just tell them well she’s really cool and think this weird they say she is, is just their inability to catch up  with her awesomeness speaking. I remember chilling with her during our graduation and taking pics and we had an Appletini in her room afterwards, doing yoga and Chinese bends and making silly videos (I wonder where all those pics and vids are sef), I don’t really recall.

We got even closer after school while we were serving, we started our natural hair journey around the same time and applied to schools together for our Masters programme, she’d visit me at work and I’d visit her at home, u get the drift. We both got our admission letters but I couldn't go and she went. That did not hinder our friendship, we kept in touch all the while, phone calls  yahoo messenger, email, et al and our friendship grew. She came around and we got to see, I was also finally able to get some time off work and travel to see her and I had a swell time as well. She is in the top 3 of the best people that I am privileged to have in my life and I really appreciate her and thank God for having her and I try to tell her how awesome she is as much as possible. We have our disagreements and different views at times and that doesn't prevent us from getting along. I love you Antonia!!! For who u are, all u’ve done for me and more!!

I would go to super extra lengths to make her happy (and see her hearty grin) and it warms my heart to know she would do the same for me.  She’s my confidante, older sis, christian sister, bizness partner and more and I can count on her to give me her candid opinion and advice and viceversa. She’s the best friend a girl can ask for and I’m da lucky girl that got her!!!

Toodle!XooX