So I?ve had a tour of the Marker Hotel?in Grand Canal Square (big rooms, gorgeous architecture). I?ve been to the rooftop bar (breathtaking views all the way out to the sea). I?ve eaten lunch in the restaurant and had a drink in the bar. I?ve?even tried a cronut (a croissant-donut hybrid that?s exclusive in Ireland to the Marker, available to buy at ?10 for four and devilishly delicious).
So really, all that was left to sample was its first-floor spa, which offers Kerstin Florian face and body treatments, Waxperts waxing and Gelish nail polish. I opted for the customised deep cleansing facial ? between the heat, the heavy makeup I torture myself with for TV and the fact that I was recently bridesmaid in a wedding (the stress!), my skin has been suffering a bit and could do with a thorough cleansing.
Though I?d seen the spa on my Marker tour, I hadn?t really got a chance to experience it ? to swim in the infinity pool (lovely, but a little warm for my liking), to lounge in the Jacuzzi (perfect), sit in the sauna and steam room (delightful but, again, it?s too warm for this lark) and indulge in a treatment in one of four treatment rooms (when you book in for a treatment you are then entitled to the use of the wellness area, which includes the pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi).
My therapist, Nicola, met me in the relaxation area, which is very cool ? kitted out with bean bags, cocoon seats suspended from the ceiling (which I didn?t try as I feared I wouldn?t be able to get out, and would have to crawl, like a large caterpillar, on to the floor) and comfy bed-seats. I was reading Food & Wine at the time. (One complaint? When in the spa / hairdresser / nail parlour, I like to read Heat and Now. I don?t buy them myself, but that?s part of the fun.)
The facial itself was fabulous. Thorough and relaxing ? at one point I fell asleep with?a mud mask on my face while Nicola massaged my feet ? the facial incorporated everything one could want from a facial. Mask, extraction, exfoliation, massage (to face, head and feet) and, ultimately, a feeling of great wellbeing and freshness to the skin.?Nicola also gave me some great recommendations based on my skin type (it?s oily but dehydrated, which is apparently very common, especially when the weather is warm) and didn?t (crucially!) try to push any products on me.
In terms of invigoration and thorough extractions, Omorovicza is still the clear winner, but for relaxation and a generally delightful experience (with a post-treatment sorbet and lemonade, a classy touch), the Marker is top dog.
The Customised Deep Cleansing Facial lasts 60 minutes and is ?95 midweek, ?110 at weekends. I was a guest of The Marker.
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