Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie - experience the Far East right in the heart of Toronto!

Toronto spa lovers can now travel to the exotic Middle East without ever leaving the city thanks to the Miraj Hammam Spa, who together with Caudalie Paris offer an experience inspired by the ancient rituals of the Middle East and the vineyards of Bordeaux.

With specialties in hammam & gommage, massage, facials, body care while not forgetting manicures and pedicures - there are some very interesting treatments including:

Hammam & Gommage - 30 minutes - $125 - a steam and body exfoliation that is part of the authentic traditions of the Middle East. De-stress between a private high intensity and low mist steam chamber, the Hammam will cleanse your body while stimulating your senses and imagination. lay relaxed on Jerusalem gold marble as you experience an invigorating full body exfoliation using eucalyptus infused black Moroccan soap and is considered to be the ultimate detoxification treatment.

Go it alone or bring a friend or two, they'd have to be pretty good friends though to my way of thinking...

Barrel Bath - 15minutes - $65 - relax in a bubbly bath enriched with Red Vine extracts, stimulated by a soothing cranial massage together with a unique blend of essential oils to enhance circulation.

They had me at head massage...

The head massage was tempting but I had a Vinosource Treatment Facial - 60 minutes - $160 - which includes all of the usual skin cleansing, scrubbing and masking that you expect from a facial but here's what amazed me and after hundreds of facials I'm a little hard to amaze - my Vinotherapist, Melissa, did the gentlest extractions that I have ever had, my skin was not in the least bit red or burning at the end which has never happened after extractions! I was kind of expecting after such an easy time of it that the blackheads would still pretty much be there but my skin was absolutely clear, I'm still in awe! If you avoid extractions because of the pain go see Melissa and tell her you want the Lisamarie extractions!

Of course they use the Caudalie line during the facial which really adds to the experience because the products all smell so good it's like having aromatherapy at the same time! And if you like any of the products they are also all there for purchase!

My favourite product right now is Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum - 30ml - $88 - a fresh, oil-free serum that contains the highest concentration of Resveratrol-Oleyl - which works at both the intra-cellular leven where it stimulated collagen fiber production as well as at the extra-cellular level to inhibit carbonyl stress while encouraging the production of superior quality collagen and elastin - which gives spectacular results in filling the areas most subject to aging, acting on density and firmness: cheekbones, facial contours, neck and decollete as well as smoothing facial features and restoring volume to the face.

Available at www.caudalie.com, Sephora or you can pick it up at the spa after your treatment.

Speaking of after your treatment, this was one of my favourite parts of my experience at the Miraj Hammam Spa. At most spas you finish your facial, get dressed and go home which is hard when you are so relaxed. There is no rush to get you out at the Miraj Hammam - there is a lounge area that they encourage you to use where you can lie around in your robe like you live in a harem reading magazines while indulging in mint tea and pastries!

Experience the Far East for yourself at the Miraj Hammam Spa located at the new Shangri-La Hotel - 188 University Avenue in Toronto - 647-253-5770 - mirajcaudaliespa.com

- Lisamarie -