Considering the stress one has to battle on a daily basis, it is no wonder spas and massage services pop up all over town like cafés! Much like a lot of luxuries in life, you don’t really realize how badly you needed a massage until you actually have one. Bliss Spa in Maadi recently renovated and re-launched their venue over the summer and we decided to check out the new space.
Tucked away on a quiet side street in Maadi, Bliss Spa is located on the premises of Community Services Association (CSA) – a leisure meeting point for Cairo expats and socialites. So when you book your appointment at Bliss Spa, you also get an additional bonus of having the ability to stroll and enjoy the many shops and offerings found on CSA’s premises – gym, trinkets, clothing, coffee, eateries, health services and even a supermarket.
Immediately upon entry, my friend and I were greeted warmly by the receptionist and shown around the cozy and ambient spa. There is a small waiting area, three large massage rooms and a steam room on-site. The expert technicians are mostly foreign, but are very welcoming and polite. I opted for the Deep Tissue massage, while my friend chose the Thai massage.
For starters, the massage rooms are massive, bigger than any I have seen, and spotless. Warm wooden furnishings fill the space, and the low lighting is very peaceful. After settling in on the table, the masseuse began by expertly rubbing my back, thoroughly working through all the knots and tense muscles – checking throughout on the pressure applied and working diligently on problem areas. I especially liked the use of arms in a rolling pin sensation, I imagine this is great for ridding yourself of annoying cellulite – but of course, I am not an expert. Another amazing touch was the great stretch every limb in my body was given, especially my feet. After nearly 90 minutes of pure pampering, I capped off the massage with a few minutes in the stream room, working the oil into my skin for added benefit. Moroccan Baths and Body Scrubs are also available, which sounded enticing.
My friend’s Thai massage was also divine. With this massage, the target is to loosen the muscles through a series of stretches and then massage each part. The masseuse worked through my friend’s entire body, stretching and massaging her body with a deft but soft touch. She was very knowledgeable, checking pressure as she went along, and focusing on problem areas. The draw of Bliss Spa is not only the large and inviting rooms, but also the courteous and professional staff. Their Bath & Beauty packages are also affordable and make for great gift certificate items, such as the Body Polish Package (Steam, Body Scrub, and 1-hour Aromatic Massage) or the Moroccan Package (Steam, Moroccan Bath, and 1-hour Relaxing Massage). There are also facial services, makeup services and packages available for booking 24 hours in advance.
If you’re looking for a cozy space without the insane amount of foot traffic a lot of other venues have, Bliss Spa is an intimate and relatively affordable option that is easily accessible.
Villa 4, Road 21 – Maadi, Cairo
Tel: 010 688 28 538
Email: bliss@livinginegypt.org
Website: bliss.livinginegypt.org
