Dubai is known for its luxurious opulent spas, so The Insider checked out five of the best that you might not have heard of…
Soul Senses Spa, Sheraton Grand
Best for: Massage & Plush Treatment Room
Set in a sprawling high floor at downtown’s Sheraton Grand, the award-winning Soul Spa has two dedicated areas for male and female guests. On arrival we found the music soothing, and the competent and friendly staff welcoming, as they took me through to the changing area, complete with private changing areas, and expensive cosmetics from deodorant, vanity, and hand cream – which was all complimentary. We were ushered into the treatment room in a fluffy white robe for the 90 mins scrub and massage combo, and were treated by a lovely therapist who’d performed similar treatments at 5-star hotels and spas in three different continents. The room itself was plush and comfortable, with glittering lights on the ceiling for the perfect relaxation effect. The scrub made my skin feel baby soft and totally moisturised, which was followed by a welcome massage with lavender oil. After the treatment I went to check out the rest of the spa, which featured a steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi – the latter of which I stayed in for a while with my Kindle. After this I went to their relaxation room with private areas and was treated to a ginger and cinnamon tea and some snacks, while looking over incredible downtown views (the spa is on the 54th floor). Soul Spa is a little gem that you should visit on your next trip! They also have a 40% off all treatments offer on Mondays.
For more information or reservations please visit their website or call +971 4229 9112 or visit their Instagram @soulsensesspa
Address Sky View Spa
Best for: Spa Facilities
The Address Sky View hotel – home of Ce La Vie and the epicly high infinity pool – certainly lives up to its name. The views start as I entered the glorious lobby with ground floor pool overlooking the Burj Khalifa, before being whisked up to the 54th floor that seems to be in the clouds (if we had clouds) and opens into an opulent lounge setting, complete with cosy booths, spinny hanging chairs, and a healthy juice bar. The therapist took me through to the treatment room (where there’s also views of the epic skyline of course) and I received one of the best massages I’ve had in Dubai, after a scrub and body wrap. The treatment I had was called the Summer Detox Treatment and was completed with a beetroot and celery juice in the relaxation area. Where this spa excels though, is the spa facilities – with a giant jacuzzi pool overlooking the city, sauna and steam room, but the best thing was the ‘Experience Shower’ which featured programs like Tropical Rain and Caribbean Storm, the latter of which had thunder sounds, lightning flashes, and what appeared to be distressed exotic bird noises. Relaxing and fun in equal measures. There was also a delightful afternoon tea served in the hotel lobby after the treatment which – aside from being far too much food for one person – was delicious and had incredible attention to detail, with edible gold leaf on the cakes, delicious English style scones with thick cream, unlimited tea, coffee and fresh juices, plus dainty finger sandwiches. It was the perfect spot to people watch over a cuppa with post-massage chilled vibes.
For more information or reservations please visit their website or call +971 4873 8888 or visit their Instagram @adressskyview
Saray Spa, JW Marriott
Best For: Real Hammam Treatment
JW Marriott is as impressive outside and in, with a huge lobby and a whopping 1,300 rooms, so no doubt the spa had to live up to expectations. The spa itself boasts 17 treatment rooms, 2 private hammams, and 2 private spa suites – perfect for a little privacy with your other half. I was treated to the 120-minute Dead Sea Saray Spa Hammam, which involved being taken in a giant cavernous private hammam chamber where a therapist first scrubbed my body all over and slathered me in some deliciously smelling scrub, before dispatching me to the steam room. After that she sluiced off the scrub with hot water jugs and then covered me in a mud treatment from the Dead Sea (make sure you don’t shave your legs before this or you might find it stings!) and the exfoliation left my skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom. After washing my hair for me (which was a nice experience) I was then ushered into a fluffy robe and sent into yet another treatment room for my final massage, where she used a moisturising oil to replenish my skin after the scrub. Once that was complete I entered their Bali-inspired treatment room and lay on a heated jade relaxation bed and was served ginger tea and snacks, where I contemplated life in a blissful state. The dedicated hammam room was the best part of this treatment as it felt like part of a royal palace, worthy of any Sheikh or Sheikha. There are other Ottoman and Far East inspired treatments from facials, full body immersions, as well as massages and spa facilities such as a sauna, jacuzzi, and steam room.
For more information or for reservations please visit their website or call +971 4414 0000 or visit their Instagram @jwmarriottmarquisdubai
Palazzo Versace Spa
Best for: Cryo Treatment and Lashings of Luxury
Palazzo Versace has style in spades, from the 16th century palatial feel, with Neoclassical touches and a pinch of Arabian architecture, the Italian look and feel of luxury can be found everywhere. The iconic ‘Pietra di Fiume’ Medusa head is emblazoned on literally every surface, and furnishings are pure Versace, from the colours and fabrics to the lush gardens. The spa is equally opulent, with an imposing feel due to the richly-decorated interior and gleaming pool adorned with twinkling lights, and heated relaxation beds. The robe and slippers provided were retail quality (I took the slippers home) which made the whole experience remarkably comfortable. I had the Cryo-Revive treatment which involved a foot spa with fresh rosemary and frozen citrus fruits, before a deep soother body scrub. After a quick shower the cryo part of the treatment started where an iced ball was rubber over my skin while I lay on the heated massage table – the goal was to refresh and tighten my skin and muscles. This was followed by a deep massage which almost sent me to sleep. After relaxing by the jacuzzi I went off for my final step, which was a classic pani-pedi, expertly applied by a lovely therapist in yet private treatment room in their maze-like spa. Definitely a great place to spoil yourself, and you can make it a full day treatment with lunch by one of their three swimming pools.
For more information or reservations visit their website or call +971 4 556 8888, or visit their Instagram @palazzoversacespa
Saray Spa Marriott the Palm
Best for: Licensed Hydrafacial and Luscious New Facilities
At the newly-opened Marriott the Palm, expect an impressive glittering lobby with crystal chandeliers and sleek furniture designs, leading out to a sprawling terrace, a 75-metre pool, and private beach overlooking the Marina. Everything is fresh and pristine, including the glorious Saray Spa which blends traditional cultural wellness treatments with the height of technology to enhance guest’s experiences and produce the best results for relaxation, anti-aging, and cleansing. The retail section at the front of the spa is packed with a multitude of premium products and room scents to complement your treatment, while there are separate areas for men and women, two rejuvenation areas, jacuzzi, steam room, relaxation area – plus a dedicated couples room. After a quick change into a robe and slippers I was led to the treatment room where I had an incredible deep-tissue massage, after which I had the Hydracial – one of the only licensed venues in Dubai to perform this type of service – which focus on deep cleansing of the skin and revitalising through an oxygen pump. There’s also red light therapy to reduce signs of ageing, and this also worked in my case for sun damage. The whole experience took around two hours, and I was reluctant to leave, although I popped down to their huge pool area to watch the sunset. I loved that there’s complimentary iced lemon water and sunscreen available as soon as you enter. Also while I didn’t try the couples room, it was fabulous with a private steam room, jacuzzi, day bed, and joint massage tables, perfect for you and your other half.
For more information or for reservations visit their website or call +971 4666 1111 or visit their Instagram @marriottresortpalmjumeirah
