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DUBAI SPASpas are big business in Dubai. Which is just as well. The long hours and stressful conditions many of us work under mean we all need the extra help to unwind and relax every now and again.
Many of the city’s major hotels feature some level of spa activity.
25 of the best spas in Dubai.
1847: One for the gents, 1847 offers a range of high-end services from shaves and facials, to manicures, pedicures and massages.
1847, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Boulevard, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 330 1847). Open 9am-10pm daily. Cost Massage Dhs220 per hour. Men only. Other location: Grosvenor House, West Marina Beach Dubai (04 399 8989).
Alasalla Spa: The Alasalla Spa is a woman’s one-stop-shop for relaxation, indulgence and beauty treatments – just the job if you need help getting ready for a night on the town. The subtley-lit rooms are decorated with modern and traditional Arabic elements, including vaulted archways and colourful tile mosaics. Services range from the time-honoured hammam style (starting at Dhs300) to the more conventional Swedish (Dhs290), and there are also aromatherapy massages (Dhs315). The therapists also specialise in hair tinting and removal, as well as pedicures and manicures for keeping fingers and toes in shape.
Alasalla Spa, Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah Beach Road, near Jumeirah Beach Park (04 349 9922). www.dubailadiesclub.com. Open 8am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs250. Women only.
Amara: Situated in the bright and breezy Moroccan-inspired Park Hyatt hotel, the Amara Spa offers a complete range of treatments and services that are sure to de-stress even the most uptight, overworked and highly strung among us. Go on your own or grab your partner/BFF and book into one of the couples rooms for a facial (from Dhs320) or the acclaimed reflexology and Indian head massage ritual (Dhs450). There’s an outdoor rain shower available before massages in the private courtyards attached to each treatment room. As an added bonus, if you book in for a treatment at Amara, you’re also able to use the pool and gym facilities for the day.
Amara, Park Hyatt Dubai (04 602 1660). www.dubai.park.hyatt.com. Open 9am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs160.
Anantara Spa: The grandiose Emirates Palace is Abu Dhabi’s equivalent of the Burj Al Arab. In place of the headache-inducing carpets, however, are gorgeous gold leaf ceilings, pink marbled floors and a 1.3km stretch of private beach. A central feature of the hotel, Anantara only opened in summer 2007, but has already proved popular with locals and tourists. The vast treatment menu covers everything from aromatic massages to royal hamman rituals. We can vouch for the Route to Ayudhaya – which can be best described as three hours of pure pampering that encompasses a fruit scrub, Thai herbal compress massage and facial. Rooms are impressively spacious, with unique Morocco-meets-Asia decor.
Anantara Spa, Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi (02 690 9000). www.spa.anantara.com. Open 10am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs250.
Angsana Spa & Health Club: This modern but relaxed spa has 13 treatment rooms, with separate areas for men and women. Angsana’s signature treatment is the Dhs450 Angsana massage, a two-hour pummelling with oils that mixes Asian and European techniques. Other treatments include body polishes, which employ natural ingredients from ginger and lemongrass to rice and soya, and fusion baths, which immerse you in cocoa, coffee, lemongrass, and thyme.
Angsana Spa & Health Club, Level 2, Marina Walk, Dubai Marina (04 368 4356). www.angsanaspa.com. Open 10am-10pm, last booking 8.30pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs280. Map ref
Other locations: Arabian Ranches (04 361 8251); The Montgomerie (04 360 9322); Emirates Hills (04 368 3222).
Aroma Spa: Coloured in deep rich hues and set against the backdrop of Dubai Marine’s private beach, the Aroma Spa offers everything from a simple manicure to a full day of pampering. The facials are good here, and you can choose Guinot or Payot products. The spa also offers Ionithermie slimming and detox treatments.
Aroma Spa, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa (04 346 1111). www.dxbmarine.com;
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Open 9am-9pm daily. Open Treatments start at Dhs300.
Assawan Spa: This lavishly decorated spa is located on the 18th floor of Dubai’s iconic landmark hotel, with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf. There are separate male and female areas, eight spa treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam bath, a plunge pool, a Jacuzzi and a solarium. If you’re feeling flush, try a full- or half-day treatment with facial, body polish and massage.
Assawan Spa, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Road, (04 301 7338). www.burj-al-arab.com.Open 6.30am-10.30pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs500.
Dragonfly Spa: Finally, the BurJuman Centre is complete, thanks to the addition of the Dragonfly Spa. Pitched as a contemporary urban retreat, the dark brown furnishings, wooden panelling and Asian-inspired design ensure that the spa lives up to its word. Newly opened to critical acclaim, the facility offers a whole variety of Chinese and Japanese body and feet massages, aromatherapy and facials. All the treatments can be customised to suit your particular requirements, and to deal with any health issues you may be encountering. For the whole shebang, look out for the Ultimate Indulgence package, which includes a Chinese or Japanese Shiatsu massage combined with an oriental foot therapy. Dragonfly also offers a number of beauty treatments, including waxing, threading, manicures and pedicures.
Dragonfly Spa, BurJuman (04 351 1120). www.dragonfly.ae. Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm;
Fri 9am-9pm. Cost Treatments start at Dhs300.
Dreamworks: As the name implies, a trip to Dreamworks will render even the most stressed-out person into a gooey mess of sleep-like calm and tranquillity. The staff are all trained in Bali, Indonesia and are also famed for providing some of the best reflexology treatments in the city.
Dreamworks, The New Gold Souk Center, Bur Dubai (800 627 7243). www.dreamworks.ae. Open 10am-12 midnight daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs200. Other location: Ibis Hotel, World Trade Center (800 627 7243).
Givenchy Spa: A formal yet luxurious spa where the focus is – naturally – on Givenchy products. Treatment rooms are tastefully decorated, with the modern Arabic theme of the hotel continued throughout the venue. For a glowing complexion try the Dhs415 No Surgetics Sculpt Facial, which isn’t quite as severe as it sounds. Other services include massages, such as the the lomi-lomi massage, which means ‘loving touch’ in Hawaiian, and the body peel, which provides complete exfoliations. Also give the Canyon Love Stone Therapy a whirl, which combines stones collected in the American West with draining oil from Givenchy.
Givenchy Spa, One&Only Royal Mirage (04 315 2140). www.oneandonlyroyalmirage.com. Open 9am-1pm for women and 1pm-9pm for men and women daily. Cost Facials and massages from Dhs310.
The Grand Spa: The Grand Spa is a modern and tasteful candlelit establishment, which stocks luxury Italian brand The Bella Lucce. There is also a gymnasium, squash court and 20-metre indoor lap pool in addition to the six treatment rooms. The spa’s therapists do great facials, with prices starting at Dhs320. The most ridiculous and indulgent option available, however, has to be the Grand Chocolate Experience, which lasts four hours – including a Peruvian chocolate facial and fondue body wrap, and leaving your skin feeling silky smooth and deliciously dessert-like. The Sandalwood- scented Arabian cocoon body wrap is also an inspired must.
The Grand Spa, Grand Hyatt Hotel (04 317 1234). www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com. Open 7am-11pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs300.
Heavenly Spa: The new Westin hotel, just next to Le Meridien Mina Seyahi in the city’s Marina area, is sure to up Dubai’s luxury stakes no end, and one of the ways will be with its spa, Heavenly. Featuring 11 treatment rooms, each client is welcomed to the sanctuary with their signature ritual, which employs aromatic oils, energy revitalisation and sublime massage techniques. Heavenly’s facials, which start at Dhs350, extend beyond the face with the choice of head, scalp, hand and feet massages. The Butterfly Effect (Dhs595) is also a standout, with its combination of Thai, deep tissue and sports massage techniques. Just right for getting you in the mood to use the facilities at the hotel’s watersports centre.
Heavenly Spa, Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi (04 399 4141). www.westin.com. Open 9am-9pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs350.
H20) The Male Spa: H20 provides a range of therapies for the Dubai man, including manicures, pedicures, tanning, waxing, facial therapy and massage. Many of these treatments are designed to dispel discomforts associated with travelling and long haul flights, but maybe a taxi ride over still qualifies. For something different, try the Flotation Pool (Dhs300), which involves a salt water tank; floating in privacy whilst listening to soothing music – taking away the pressures on aching joints. Also try the Oxygen Lounge (Dhs75-300), which eases muscles with the use of massaging Cosmos chairs while you are treated to a dose of pure oxygen and 3D movies.
H20) The Male Spa, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 391 8181). Open 9am-11pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs75. Men only.
Jasmine Spa: Another new addition to Dubai’s growing spa scene, Jasmine has been open since March 1. It features nine treatment rooms, one of which is designed for Turkish hammam treatments, complete with marble bed and a sea salt scrub applied to your body to smooth the skin and improve circulation – that costs Dhs450. If you want something different, you might like the Caviar Facial for Dhs960. It involves using caviar extract rather than the fish eggs themselves, mixed into a lotion with plant nutrients, designed to reduce wrinkles, oxygenate and refresh the skin. The fishy treatment is said to be particulary good for sensitive and oily skin.
Jasmine Spa, Grand Millennium Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 429 9999). Open 6am-11pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs220.
Le Spa: Located near the iconic Burj Dubai at The Palace hotel, LeSpa is spread out over two floors – one for women, one for men. Facilities include a Vichy shower, an oriental bath house complete with hammam slab, monsoon showers, steamrooms and hydrobaths. In terms of treatments, give The Zen (Dhs350) a try – a one-hour lower leg and foot massage carried out with a Thai wooden stick. If you’re in a hurry, though, just opt for LeSpa’s A La Minute treatment, which costs Dhs275 and lasts 30 minutes – you choose the amount of pressure and tailor the treatment to your specific area of concern. The most lavish treatments are the three-hour King’s or Queen’s Rituals, each costing Dhs1,225.
Le Spa, The Palace, The Old Town (04 428 7888). Open 9am-10pm daily. Cost Facials from Dhs430, massages from Dhs380.
Mandara Spa: The therapists at the Mandara Spa combine traditional Asian and Arabic therapies with modern spa techniques to produce a zone of total urban relaxation. The facility features seven treatment rooms just for ladies, with three for men. Sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and ladies’ hair salon are also available on site. The signature Mandara Massage is worth looking into – 95 minutes for Dhs950, involving two therapists working together in a unique blend of styles. There are also Crystal Harmony and Ayurvedic treatments to try. And don't worry if you can’t decide – opt for a two, three or five-day programme and you could probably try the entire spa menu.
Mandara Spa, Monarch Hotel (04 329 8888). www.themandarsspa.com. Open 9am-10pm daily. Cost Facials start at Dhs420, massages at Dhs470.
Natural Elements: A practical, pleasant and modern spa that offers a good selection of day packages designed for general revitalisation, wellness or mothers to be. The spa features seven ‘dry’ treatment rooms and two ‘wet’ areas, plus a Pedi Spa, and as a result the venue can offer a wide range of services – around 50 in fact. The hot stone massage is a particular speciality.
Natural Elements, Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud (04 702 2550). www.dubai.lemeridien.com. Open 8am-10pm daily. Cost Facials start at Dhs520 and massages at Dhs350.
Oriental Hammam: Probably the best hammam in town, the spacious and aromatic facility features low lighting and heated marble massage tables, plus two steam rooms and two private massage rooms on offer. Known locally as tellaks or tayebs and hailing from Morocco, Tunisia or Turkey, the masseurs are some of the best you’re likely to find. Be sure to highlight any raised moles or skin conditions prior to your treatment, as you’re in for a scouring like you’ve never experienced before. By the end, however, you’ll be polished, buffed and glowing. A must-do for any resident or visitor.
Oriental Hammam, One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel (04 399 9999). www.oneandonlyroyalmirage.com.
Open 9.30am-2pm for women, 2pm-8pm for men and women, 8pm-11pm for men daily. Cost Moroccan and oriental massages are available for Dhs145.
Raffles Amrita: Raffles Dubai has impressed us on many fronts since opening late last year – its Chinese restaurant, The Noble House, won three categories at the recent Time Out Restaurant Awards. And the spa is likewise impressive. The RafflesAmrita, one of the grandest new spas to open up in the city, is a haven for relaxation that features six private suites, a VIP room and a private sanctuary in the hotel’s impressive botanical gardens for the spa’s signature treatments. If hanging out with your other half is the order of the day, give the romantic retreat package a go, which features a dip in candlelit aromatherapy bath. Ladies will also love Her Royal Highness facial – the ultimate in anti-ageing.
Raffles Amrita, Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Road (04 314 9869). www.dubai.raffles.com. Open 9am-8pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs350.
Satori Spa: Nestled within the rolling dunes of the desert in an environmentally-protected area, the Satori Spa is a part of a weekend getaway like no other. The body harmony (Dhs425) service includes an all over exfoliation before clients are wrapped up in a concoction of frankincense, camomile and rosemary. The spa also offers ear candling (Dhs400) and a Satori Detox (Dhs425).
Satori Spa, Bab Al Shams (04 809 6232). www.jumeirahbabalshams.com;
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Open 9am-8pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs350.
SensAsia Urban Spa: An exotic Eastern-style spa for women in Jumeirah that wouldn’t be out of place in downtown New York. Their treatments, such as the Dhs245 hi-heeler that’s designed for fans of Jimmy Choo, or the Dhs260 Sunset Sparkle, which includes body massage, help to set them apart.
SensAsia Urban Spa, First floor, The Village Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road (04 349 8850). www.sensasiaspas.com. Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri 12.30pm-9pm. Cost Treatments start at Dhs250. Women only.
Spa Intercontinental: Another new hotel to the city and another new spa, and easily the best you’ll find in the Festival City area of town. Like its name, the Spa Intercontinental is minimal in design, but the treatments on offer are quite the opposite. To replenish skin that’s suffering from Dubai’s harsh environment, opt for the soft body peel or the smoothing sugar indulgence (both Dhs200). Facials are also set to become popular here, going by the range on offer, because the therapists use the infamous Natura Bisse products, the ultimate of which is the Diamond Facial – costing Dhs1,150. It’s designed to stimulate, restructure and protect the skin, getting you ready to go back to the desert or the air con of the nearby mall.
Spa Intercontinental, InterContinental Dubai Festival City (04 701 1111). www.intercontinental.com. Open 8am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs180.
Taj Spa: Far away from the plush beachside of Jumeirah, hidden away in Deira’s Taj Palace, there’s an atmospheric and relaxing spa. There are many different styles of treatment available here, although Ayurvedic is arguably the most popular – the 6,000-year-old holistic therapy teaches individuals about shaping their lives and health by understanding and addressing their body type. As a result, all treatments and massages are tailored to each specific guest. Facials and a range of other acts of delightful pampering are also available. As well as the separate saunas and steam rooms, this spa features a swimming pool and the obligatory Jacuzzi.
Taj Spa, Taj Palace Hotel, off Al Rigga Rd, Deira (04 223 2222). www.tajhotels.com. Open 7am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs240.
Talise Spa: True to the Madinat philosophy, this spa of spas is built around a labyrinth of paths and waterways, courtyards and studios. Guests at the resort can arrive at this sensational venue courtesy of a silent abra (water taxi). Once inside, the spa is colonial in style with treatment rooms dotted all around the verdant grounds. Highly qualified therapists specialise in a long list of stand-out treatments, such as reiki and Ayurveda. Signature treatments include the Talise Absolution, which costs Dhs1,800 and lasts for a blissful 110 minutes; two therapists treat you in unison, applying everything from a shoulder massage to a scalp and hair mud application.
Talise Spa, Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah (04 366 6818). www.madinatjumeirah.com. Open 9am-10pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs300.
Urban Male Lounge: The Urban Male Lounge opened just last summer in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), so it’s just the job for busy office types who work in the buildings nearby. The idea comes from the same people behind NStyle Nail Lounge, which has a very good reputation with Dubai’s ladies; all the more reason for them to drag their grizzly menfolk here. The spa offers a wide range of services, including therapeutic massages and shaving, plus hair, hand and foot treatments, but what sets it apart is the design and use of technology (plasma TVs, wirless headphones and Wi-Fi), allowing you to watch the footie as you enjoy your shave or hot stone treatment.
Urban Male Lounge, Precinct Building 2, Level 2, Unit 3 (04 425 0350). Open 9am-9pm daily. Cost Treatments start at Dhs250. Men only.
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Spas in Dubai
