Miraculous oil can last for more than eight days in Jerusalem now, thanks to the tranquility-inspiring pan-spiritual pampering on offer at the David Citadel Hotel's recently rebranded spa.

 

Most spas and health clubs in the Jerusalem area emphasize fitness machinery or medicinal healing treatments, like the dermatologically oriented ones on offer with Dead Sea extracts. When it comes to holistic healing of the spirit, however, "Spas themselves are a new concept for Israel," Spa Director Guy Nadler, who has been in the business for 12 years and has overseen the opening of spas in Eilat and Haifa, explains to Jerusalem.com. "There is no other spa like this in Jerusalem - not with the facilities we offer here."

 

Nadler estimates that over the past decade, about 500 luxury spas have opened throughout the country - none in Jerusalem - with many folding due to the of the capricious nature of the business. "What we offer is a pampering atmosphere where our customers are guests - not clients," he says. The new spa opened this past in August and is located in one of Jerusalem's most luxurious hotels.

 

The result is a little oasis where no detail is too small, from using unique, tailor-made equipment like a wood oil diffuser, made in Israel to Ayurvedic specifications to only stocking top of the line products like Pevonia. Even the treatment practitioners have a holistic approach. "We send out therapists for training at the Reidman School, Jerusalem's best school for alternative medicine," says Nadler.

 

Indeed, from the muted earth tones of the décor to the lulling sounds of cascading water, every feature of the design and the products are in keeping with Ayurvedic principles of the four elements: wind, earth, fire and water. Guests can choose from a selection of aromatic oils blended expressly for the spa ("muscle ache," anyone?) to the soothing music ("Earth tunes or air tunes?") piped overhead during a treatment.

In addition to standard fare like facials, mani-pedis, deep tissue and Swedish massages, specialty treatments include aromatherapy, pregnancy massage, Reiki, reflexology, skin wraps ("Contour aromatic salt peeling," to name one) and luxurious twists on old favorites, like the caviar and pearl facial.

For the more adventurous, there are signature treatments such as the "seven chakra massage," that begins with heated stones being placed on the seven chakra healing points (energy) and ends with a cascade of warm oil being streamed onto the third eye. The result? If not enlightenment then certainly earthly bliss. Guests can also bask in the Ayurvedic glow of a full-body warm oil massage.

Beyond the treatments, spa goers can partake in the spa's amenities, the relaxation room, dry and wet saunas and "napping" room (separate facilities for men and women).