Exotic Luxury

Recently, I was in Dubai and didn’t feel like spending my time in shopping malls. I wondered what would be a quintessentially Dubai experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else that would be pleasurable and relaxing. It didn’t take much consideration before I decided on the One and Only Spa in The Palm. I’d been here once some years ago and remembered really enjoying it. My latest googling indicated that now the spa had been further upgraded into the only Guerlain spa since 2015.

I didn’t regret the experience at all. The Spa Menu was amazing and it was difficult to make up my mind. I finally booked for a 60 minute Imperial Relaxing massage. However, after explaining to my massage therapist that I needed to really address the knots on the left upper side of my back (computer back) she re-designed the massage protocol and performed an amazing massage that was 60% focused on my left upper back. It’s been almost a week since the massage and I am still 100% knot-free. The waiting lounge before the spa is so comfortable: on top of the steaming room and sauna, fitting room, locker area and bathroom, it also has a seating area overlooking a cute patio outside. Behind the seating area is a counter of snacks and drinks.

After the massage, one can use the shower facilities in the massage room and also the vanity counter which has a full spread of Guerlain make-up which I had fun trying out. Once I left the massage room, I went to the courtyard of the spa and had some ginger tea. It’s just a peaceful place to reflect and relax in peace for awhile. At the time that I went, the Spa gave me the option to spend all day there from 11 am till 6pm to use all the facilities as I wished (there is a pool next to the spa too, including the steam room and sauna in the waiting area). The whole experience cost about RM575 AED which is average for European standards but expensive for Asian standards. However, even in Europe, you will not have access to a luxury resort’s spa and all of its opulent facilities.

The Spa is set in the One and Only Palm resort in The Palm. Even the drive to the Spa is exciting. The bright blue beach set against the city’s skyline gets you in the mood for true pampering indeed. The resort itself is so beautiful in architecture and ambiance. You get nothing but date trees and a pool which spreads to the beach as you make your way to the spa. Overall, I totally recommend this experience. If you’re not into trawling through air conditioned mall and don’t want anything too hectic like the desert safari, then this can be a relaxing way to spend an afternoon in Dubai.