The Scotsman: 18th April 2009

A Beautiful Solution

Spa treatments and then dinner and a cosy hotel room. Bliss……………

SORRY, BEAUTY therapists of the world,” I think, as I munch on steak and chips while sipping a glass of rioja at Dakota Grill. I really wanted to be one of those people who drinks gallons of water after beauty treatments, as the experts always recommend, but temptation landed in my path.
I’m enjoying a new Spring Sanctuary package, offered by Dakota Forthbridge in association with Zen Lifestyle, the award-winning Edinburgh beauty salon.
A couple of hours before being whisked to the hotel, I’d arrived at Zen for a blissful, hour-long body exfoliation with an Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Scrub. This element of the package hadn’t even been spoiled by the fact that I’d exposed my poor therapist, Lou, to the sight of me, starkers but for fetching a plastic shower cap, exiting the shower too early after rinsing the potion off.
Although she’ll probably have nightmares now Lou left the room, discreetly, so I could settle back onto the bed for a soothing, full-body massage using Elemis’s Exotit Frangi-pani Monoi Moisture Melt, a speedy anti-ageing facial and an hour-long pedicure, which
left my toes looking better than they have for years – or indeed, ever. The icing on the cake was a 20-minute express manicure, with an overly optimistic shade of polish called Venus Was Her Name.
After the marathon treatment session, a chauffeur can drive you to Dakota Forthbridge, to meet a partner or friend, as the package includes an overnight stay and breakfast for two (as I’d invited my boyfriend along with me, we also decided to sample dinner, hence the unhealthy feasting).
Anyway, after steak and chips, I was so relaxed I can’t tell you much about the room we stayed in – apart from the fact it looked a lot like a swanky New York loft apartment and had a very very cosy bed.

GABY SOUTAR

Zen, 9 Bnuttsfeld Place, Edinburgh, (0131-477 3535.
www.staging.zen-lifestyle.flywheelsites.com) and Dakota Forthbridge, Ferrymuir Retail Park, Edinburgh (0870
423 429 3, www.dakotaforth-bridge.co.uk)
Spring Sanctuary Package costs £289 (saving £52),
Call hotel to book.