How one DJ winds down at our spa in Soho House Berlin

With over a decade in the game, Berlin-based DJ and radio host Melis is no stranger to the grind. From Accra to New York, her career sees her jet-setting around the globe, performing her trademark progressive, percussion-heavy sets. In fact, Melis’s blend of eclectic influences – she cites her Kurdish background as well as many musical pilgrimages as two of the big ones – have already seen her bringing in the new year at Soho House and providing the tunes for Berlin’s Fenty Beauty launch party this year.

Fun aside, such a busy schedule doesn’t leave a lot of time for self-care – which is where we stepped in. To make the most of one of her rare days off, Soho House invited Melis for some much-deserved R&R at our Cowshed spa in Berlin. With a hammam, sauna, treatment areas and more, the spa offers guests respite from the hustle and bustle of Berlin’s urban city centre. 

Here, Melis documents her trip, from her first impressions to her favourite treatment.

‘To be honest, when I arrived at the spa, I was a bit all over the place. I was rushing from a meeting on the other side of town. But between Cowshed’s tranquil atmosphere and relaxing interiors, I was instantly put at ease. I really have to give it to the staff, too: every person I met was not only professional and an expert in their field, but also had the most peaceful energy.’

‘I was looking forward to dedicating some time to myself. My work can get pretty stressful, with lots of travel and a hectic schedule. I can usually tell when I’m overdoing it by the tension in my body – and this was one of those times. A day of stillness and self-care was long overdue.’

‘I started my spa day with the Ultimate Cowshed Pedicure. I’d just got back from Paris Fashion Week, where I had a bunch of DJ gigs, events and shows. That meant long days wearing heels from morning until night. My feet deserved some serious TLC. I enjoyed a full pedicure, complete with filing, cuticle tidying, buffing, exfoliation, a foot and leg massage, and a hydrating foot mask. This was all followed by the icing on the cake: a scalp and shoulder massage, which definitely helped to relieve some of the tension I’d been holding on to.’

‘I opted for the Bespoke Facial next, which was tailored with a personalised edit of Cowshed and SkinCeuticals products. I have to hop on a plane so often for work, and it really takes its toll on my skin; sometimes a deep cleanse from a pro is just what I need. This was followed by steaming, exfoliation and extraction, as well as a face and hand massage. I also chose a hydro-gel mask add-on to finish. My skin looked so glowing afterwards, with none of the irritation I sometimes experience. I particularly liked the vitamin C serum my therapist used – so much so that I brought some home with me to add into my skincare routine.’

‘I rounded off my treatments with a Deep Tissue Massage. On top of working and travelling a lot, I exercise five days a week, so my body was in serious need of a release. A deep tissue massage isn’t for the faint-hearted, but I had so much tension in my body that I really needed the therapist to dig deep – and he understood the assignment! He had the knowledge and experience to read my body like a book, putting a lot of care into my massage and giving me some good advice for preventing tightness in the future. I felt so much more connected to my body afterwards.’

‘This spa day was a good reminder to invest more time in my body and spirit, even when I’m busy. I’m back out on the road soon, with a season full of festivals. If you love to dance and enjoy a good party with great music, make sure you check out any events that have my name on the flyer – I guarantee you’ll have the best time.’

Soho House members and Soho Friends can take advantage of member rates on spa treatments of up to 20% off all year round.

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