Cleopatra’s, the largest and first ever day spa in the UAE, combines an old-style spa (carpets and a large changing area) with fabulous new tricks in its male and female areas. In the female side a rasul surrounded by hot and cold pools keeps you busy pre treatment, and highly recommended are the Elemis treatments, lonithermie body sculpting, light therapy, their signature Royal Javanese Treatment or the Ayurvedic therapies using Wild Earth.
Authentic therapists, like Sreela, a fifth generation therapist from Kerala who exudes pure healing and energy, guide you through your doshas and then choose your oils accordingly. The Elakkizhi treatment alleviates muscle and joint problems through herbal oil massage, followed by a pounding with a compress full of medical leaves and powders. Your muscles have no choice but to give up, and relax. They also have packages such as the Panchakarma detoxification, Swasthavritha immunity, stress and slimming packages. And new is their dreams room, where you can bed down with a view of the Ohm sign, for a therapeutic forty winks.
In the same building, the Pharaoh’s Club, with huge outdoor lagoon pools, a sociable gym, the highest climbing wall in town, aerobics, yoga and a juice bar, really does tempt you to start a healthier lifestyle.
Sensasia is one of Dubai’s best-known day spas, with a wonderfully warm atmosphere that envelops you as soon as you walk through the doors. Designed with Feng Shui in mind, the small, candle-lit interiors are cosy and relaxing, and, says the designer, the couple’s room is the place where women will bond the best, so bring a friend. The traditional Asian-with-a-twist treatments have sparky names, such as the jet-lag busting Jet Away and back scrub, mask and hot stone Back Me Up, with detox and anti-cellulite therapies the most popular. Their hot stone massage with cocoa butter is mind-meltingly soothing. Deliciously buttery without being too sweet, it really is out of this world - one of the best treatments in Dubai. And take a look at their VPP Programme, which stands for Very Pampered
On the edge of the shopping and restaurant-tastic Dubai Marina, boats clinking in the breeze against the backdrop of impossibly blue sky, the Angsana Spa delivers contemporary interiors with soft curtains and dark wood accents. You’ll be greeted with a refreshing drink, shown the menu, and allowed a couple of minutes to acclimatise to the peace before being guided to the spacious relaxation, Jacuzzi and treatment rooms. Take your time here - before giving in to the extremely professional treatments. Flawless and charmingly executed, you’ll recognise the quality in products and training. The muscle ease massage is more therapeutic than your usual spa massage-once the therapists find out which areas are problematic, they really go to work on them - very impressive. (Also at Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills and The Montgomerie Golf Course).
THIS PACE: Colourful interior at Sensasia; massage at Ckopatm ’s Spa. OPPOSITE PAGE CIOCKWISE FROM TOP i.EFr: Male massage at Angsana, hot stone massage at Sensasia, and the cool pool at Imar
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