18 amazing UAE spas to make you go ahhhh

Best for…Arabian-inspired rituals

Saray Spa

Treatments use botanical-based products made from local ingredients such as rose oil and honey, and the spa boasts its own Dead Sea floatation pool, too.
Treatment to try: Signature Dead Sea Journey, which includes a salt scrub and mud mask, followed by a soak in the floatation pool and massage. 120 minutes, AED990.
Where: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Contact: jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

The Spa

On the menu are locally inspired rituals such as a detoxifying ghassoul clay body mask and rose-scented goat’s milk bath. Elsewhere, there are facials, massages and body treatments using Aromatherapy Associates products.
Treatment to try: Arabian Gold Ritual, which incorporates a refreshing basil and mint body scrub, gold clay body wrap and full body gold-infused massage. 120 minutes, AED1,050.
Where: The Address Dubai Mall
Contact: theaddress.com

Raffles Spa

Besides Asian-influenced treatments, you can also book a Moroccan Gold Hammam or detoxifying body wrap using local Shiffa products. Massage and body treatments feature Aromatherapy Associates products.
Treatment to try: Arabian Nights, an aromatic full-body massage using warm oils such as sandalwood, frankincense and rose to relax both body and mind. 60 minutes, AED479.
Where: Raffles Dubai
Contact: raffles.com

Best for…social spa-going  

So Spa

Choose from a wide range of treatments, from Polynesian and Ayurvedic massages to Vichy showers, using products by Hei Poa, Anne Semonin and Thémaé.
Treatment to try: Ladies’ Night at So Spa takes place every Tuesday and includes a foot and back massage, file and polish, and brow shape. From 6pm-10pm, AED250.
Where: Sofitel The Palm
Contact: sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com

Willow Stream Spa

Named the region’s best resort spa at this year’s World Spa & Wellness Awards, top treatments include the signature Rose Bliss hammam; Kerstin Florian facials; and all manner of massages.
Treatment to try: The Treasured Time package includes a full body aromatherapy massage for two people, which utilises a blend of oils and massage strokes to stimulate the body’s circulation. 90 minutes, AED1,019.
Where: Fairmont The Palm
Contact: fairmont.com

Talise Spa

The spa offers a quiet pool where couples can relax together, along with cabanas in the garden and on the for outdoor massage, and a yoga studio for group and private classes.
Treatment to try: Spa-mazing. Valid until the end of September, the offer includes a 60-minute massage, yoga class and beach access. AED550 (weekdays) or AED590 (weekends).
Where: Madinat Jumeriah
Contact: jumeirah.com

Best for…holistic treatments

The Oberoi Spa

As you would expect from the famous Indian hotel brand, there are a number of Ayurveda-inspired rituals, along with lesser-known Phytomassopodia treatments that focus entirely on the feet.
Treatment to try: Shiroabhyanga. Using Ayurvedic oils, vital points of the shoulders, neck, head and face are carefully massaged to release tension and encourage circulation. 45 minutes, AED380.
Where: The Oberoi Dubai
Contact: oberoihotels.com

YinYang Spa & Massage Centre

This wellness spa specialises in traditional Chinese therapies including acupuncture, cupping and reflexology. There is a range of different massage styles, from Thai and Korean to aromatherapy and detoxing, as well as Tui Na (“pinch and pull”).
Where: The Village Mall, Jumeirah
Contact: yinyang.ae
Treatment to try: Meridian Shiatsu massage combines acupressure, stretching and compression along the body’s meridian channels to release blocked energy. 120 minutes, AED700.

Chi Spa

All products are organic and include sweet-smelling ingredients such as Damask rose and dates, while treatments include Thai, Indian and hot stone massage, along with facials, body scrubs and reflexology.
Treatment to try: Asian Blend massage, which combines Swedish, shiatsu and reflexology techniques to leave you feeling totally blissed out. 60 minutes, AED520.
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Contact: shangri-la.com

Best for…men in need of me-time

1847 Men’s Grooming Lounge

With dark wood furnishing, vintage-style barber chairs and a boutique stocking the finest grooming products, this men-only salon is as classy as they come. They offer haircuts, colours and wet shaves, along with a spa menu of more than 20 treatments including hydrating facials, body-buffing salt scrubs and mani-pedis using Vitaman, Gentlemen’s Tonic and REN products.
Treatment to try: Face Saver. This quick-fix for dry skin facial includes a clay mask and moisturising serum. 50 minutes, AED250.
Where: Grosvenor House Hotel
Contact: 1847uae.com

Jazz LoungeSpa

Treatment rooms are decked out with musical instruments and images of jazz legends, while the barber’s salon features guitar-shaped mirrors, lampshades made out of drums and Takara Belmont chairs (who is, apparently, the Bentley of the barbershop world). On the menu is a range of treatments, from wet shaves and facials to massages and Moroccan hammams.
Treatment to try: Sole Reviver makes short work of hard skin, with a classic pedicure and callus removal treatment. AED165
Where: Al Barsha
Contact: jazzloungespa.com

The Ritz-Carlton Spa

The spa has a separate men’s area with huge marble steam rooms, plush grey bathrobes and masculine therapies including Natura Bissé facials and muscle-reviving massages.
Treatment to try: Active Recovery. This tension-relieving treatment includes a foot soak and scrub, foot and leg massage, back exfoliation and massage. 60 minutes, AED515.
Where: Ritz-Carlton DIFC
Contact: ritzcarlton.com

Best for…Turkish hammams

Anjana Spa

With soft grey marble, huge heated massage table and tranquil blue mosaic tiles, Anjara Spa offers an authentic hammam experience with a luxurious bent (as you would hope from a Turkish hotel group).
Treatment to try: The Serenity Package includes a traditional hammam or a massage treatment, followed by a buffet lunch or dinner. 60 minutes, AED499 (weekdays) or AED599 (weekends).
Where: Rixos The Palm
Contact: thepalmdubai.rixos.co

Anantara Spa

Following a stylish revamp last year, this lavish two-storey spa features palatial hammam facilities – think marble floors, trickling fountains and brightly coloured mosaics – for men, women and couples.
Treatment to try: Turkish Hammam Body Escape. After a steam and skin-renewing scrub with a kese mitt, your skin will be slathered in dollops of shea butter enriched with Argan oil. 90 minutes, AED800.
Where: Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort & Spa
Contact: dubai-palm.anantara.com

Talise Ottoman Spa

There are separate hammams for women and men, plus saunas, steam rooms, snow rooms, two thalassotherapy pools and a whopping 42 treatment rooms. For couples, there’s a secluded hammam on the mezzanine level.
Treatment to try: The Sultan’s Hammam with Ice Massage. This is an invigorating hand, foot and scalp ice massage that follows the traditional Turkish hammam treatment to improve circulation. 60 minutes, AED565.
Where: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Contact: jumeirah.com