Get the best of CF straight to your inbox.

Subscribe, sit back, and let your mind travel.

Spa + Wellness

Finding Your Bliss in Dubai

For some, Dubai is the perfect destination to spend hours facedown roasting on the beach in the middle of December. For others it’s all about the late night revelry before winding up at Zaater W Zeit for a snack at 3am.

Whether you’re looking to recover from wearing those four-inch Jimmy Choos all night, or desperately in need of some R&R to escape your hectic work schedule, Dubai has some incredible spas that can give you body (and mind) a much-needed pick me up. Of course you’ll want to choose just the right place to make you feel like you’re drifting off into oblivion, so here are a few of my tried and tested favorites to help you on your way.

Sensasia Urban Spas

Best for: Quality therapists, pregnancy and body treatments, and their lip-smacking ginger tea

An institution among local residents in need of some pampering, Sensasia has managed to get all the main ingredients of the urban spa experience just right. You’ll find their spas in malls and buildings throughout the city rather than nestled away in a lux 5-star resort, but the dimly lit, zen interiors instantly remove you from the bustle and crowds of the city. This place is all about the important little details — a hot towel and welcome drink, a plush robe, heated pad mattress table, relaxation area with guilty-pleasure magazines, and the most delectable ginger tea you’ve ever had. Most importantly, their therapists are superb. Sensasia does not have spa facilities, so it’s not a place to spend the day, but for a regular and reliable massage, it is the place that consistently keeps me coming back.

Price: 60-minute Balinese massage at AED 399Book here

Talise Ottoman Spa

Best for: Never-ending spa facilities that are perfect for a day out with the girls

Situated in one of the most serene Palm Island resorts, the Zabeel Saray Spa will take you away to an idyllic setting. This spa exudes grandeur and simply has the most remarkable facilities around — with numerous indoor pools and Jacuzzis, sauna, steam, and hot stone loungers, you could get lost in here for hours. The treatments are solid, but the real reason to come here is for the all-afternoon, post-massage girly catch up. The spa also has excellent hammam treatments for those who want to experience the traditional body cleansing ritual.

Price: 60-minute Signature Sultan Massage at AED 525Book here

B Attitude Spa

Best for: Quality massage that will have your broken body feeling new again

When I walked out of the treatment room at B Attitude I marveled to my friend about how my shoulder knots following a few stressful weeks at work were just… gone. The Asian-themed spa in the upscale Grosvenor House (Tower Two) in the Dubai Marina also has great facilities, including a series of adjacent plunge pools and Jacuzzis set at varied temperatures. All you really need to know about B Attitude is that the massage is body-fixing terrific, but the price point is high. Great for a splurge when you’ve been seriously working or training hard and you know you deserve it.

Price: 60-minute massage treatments start at AED 525

Book here

China Star Wellness Centre

Best for: A low-budget, quick fix

For some, the luxury and feeling of escape are necessary to their spa experience, for others not so much. If you enjoy that Bangkok-roadside, no frills experience, try out China Star Wellness Centre. Located in Al Ghazal Mall on the border of residential Jumeirah and the old school Satwa neighborhood, China Star is certainly not for the fussy, but for the girl looking to have her muscles pressed after a hectic day on her feet.

Price: 60-minute treatments for AED 150Book here

Amara Spa

Best for: Everything really, but especially for couple’s treatments and for the full pool access

I’ve saved my absolute favorite for last; the spa in the Park Hyatt really stands apart from the rest. Come early, complimentary access to the resort’s chic outdoor pool means you can soak up the sun, grab a cocktail and bite, and have a swim before your treatment. The spa has bright and airy treatment rooms with outdoor showers, and within minutes the therapists have sunk me into that half-awake-half-asleep state of bliss. The experience ends with hot tea in the relaxation area beneath the stars. The Amara Spa is plush and serene — perfect for when you’re looking for the ultimate escape.

Price: 60-minute deep tissue massage at AED 495Book here

You May Also Like

Any Questions or Tips to add?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share