Talise Spa supplements a traditional hammam with a clay mask and gold-leaf treatment

The gold-infused body oli used at Talise Spa. Jaime Puebla / The National

The Ottomans may have invented the steam-bath ritual but Talise Spa in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah has added luxury and 24-carat gold to the mix.

As it was my first experience of a hammam, I was bracing myself for something of a pummeling – but what transpired was an afternoon of blissful pampering.

The products Talise uses are made by Shiffa, a UAE-based skincare company whose name means "healing" in Arabic. I was shown into a large, private treatment room where the therapist talked me through the glinting jars, lotions and potions. Gold leaf floated in bottles of clear gel, catching the light and promising to "leave me glowing" as the lady reassured me. The precious metal was, however, not going to make its grand entrance for a little while yet, for I was off to experience the more traditional hammam steps first.

Acclimatisation to the adjoining hot steam chamber was top of the list and after five minutes on a warm stone bed, the therapist began applying an amber-coloured paste know as black soap. It’s a grainy organic substance, made from olive oil, Atlas rose blossom, orange-flower extract and eucalyptus, which is heralded for its cleansing and purifying properties while keeping the skin hydrated. My long hair was given a similar treatment and whipped into a creamy lather. What went on, had to come off – it was time for the big scrub down. Firmly, the therapist worked from head to toe, exfoliating the body with an oversized mitt. Then, with my skin tingling from the process, it was time to hop into the shower for a quick rinse.

Soon after, I was lying on a soft bed in the main treatment room. A clay body mask containing the promised gold and healing myrtle was applied before I was snugly wrapped in sheets and the magic allowed to do its work. While it did, I was given an essential-oil head massage and facial.

Then it was time for one final shower before the piece de resistance. With my skin detoxified and silky smooth, I underwent the ultimate full-body massage with a gold-infused oil, scented with jasmine. It proved to be the ideal way to end the 120-minute session and all too soon I was padding my way back through a mosaicked walkway to the majlis for dates and ginger tea.

There’s no denying that Talise’s hammam was something of a workout for the body. It was deliberately intense, geared towards improving circulation and most definitely not for the prudish or pregnant. That said, it’s the best possible muscle relaxant and a conditioning treatment for those with dry or sensitive skin.

I emerged from the spa with a sheen and was loath to wash the glistening residue away the following day. For let’s face it, after such an intense cleansing ritual, being covered in gold leaf and essential oils has to be the ultimate reward.

• The Shiffa 24-Carat Gold Hammam at Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, costs Dh1,225. To book, call 04 366 6818 or visit, www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/madinat-jumeirah/spa/talise-spa/