Spas for tender loving care

Valentine’s Day should be all about pampering. Indulge your partner by booking a session at a spa, or better still, go for treatments for the both of you. For singles, it is the time for some self-indulging treats too.

Here is our pick of the Dubai spas you can head to for some tender loving care:

Akaru Spa

This bright and airy modern spa is a breath of fresh air. The informal atmosphere will put you instantly at ease while the staff will help you leave all your stresses at the door. Our favourite touch is the music menu, so you won’t be stuck with Panpipe Moods when you dream of listening to laid-back lounge.
Book: The Payot Crystal Body Exfoliation Wrap and Massage for breaking up pesky cellulite, making you look firmer and smoothing out your skin.
Love: The open-air ‘sky-treatment’ massages out on the terrace.
Chill: Stuff yourself silly with a platter of delicious fruit and a herbal tea before you change, while you lie down reading the latest celeb gossip – all completely and blissfully undisturbed.
Contact: Call The Aviation Club, Garhoud on (04) 2828578 for details.

Amara Spa

This luxurious, Moroccan-inspired spa is a touch of heaven in the heart of busy Dubai. Their extensive spa menu that ranges from natural to gemstone treatments is a tranquil retreat that will leave you not only relaxed, but looking fabulous too! The couples suite is very romantic, especially the outdoor rain shower.
Book: The Marine Active Purifying Facial. This extraordinary deep-cleansing facial using Anne Semonin products with marine extracts gently detoxifies and decongests your skin, leaving it feeling clean and clear.
Love: The rose petal foot and hand rub before your treatment and the selection of dried apricots, dates and mint tea for afterwards are
really nice, extra treats.
Chill: When you’ve finished being preened and pampered, you can relax by the amazing pool and make full use of all the hotels facilities.
Contact: Call the Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek on (04) 6021660 for details.

Angsana Spa

This small, perfectly formed but no-frills spa is located at the Montgomerie golf club. This chain of Thai spas is part of the famous Banyan Tree group – so you know you’re in good hands with one of their therapists. Ideal for either a relaxing or deep-tissue massage to ease away stresses, aches and pains.
Book: The Angsana Signature Massage. For 120 minutes of pure relaxation and pleasure, the therapist works on your pressure points using natural oils to strengthen your inner qi.
Love: The therapists really know how to work away at easing your muscles.
Chill: After you’ve been massaged to within an inch of your life and feel like you’ve never been this relaxed, you can sit back and enjoy a refreshing fruit or herbal tea.
Contact: Call The Montgomerie, Emirates Hills on (04) 3609322.

Assawan Spa

Up on the 18th floor, this spa provides spectacular views which you can watch while you’re being slathered and kneaded… or you could just let yourself drift off.
Book: The Body Contouring and Firming Treatment. Unlike other slimming massages, this one doesn’t involve a pummelling. In fact, it could be a relaxation massage as countless La Prairie serums and creams are applied and gently but firmly massaged in.
Love: The La Prairie products during your treatment and Hermés shower gels in the changing area – you’ll come out smelling divine!
Chill: Before your treatment, unwind poolside for some of the most spectacular views in Dubai.
Contact: Call the Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim on (04) 3017338.

Cleopatra’s Spa

This Egyptian-themed spa will make you feel like a goddess. Let the therapists guide you to your treatment room where you can expect to be indulged with milk wraps, ocean baths and other Cleopatra- worthy treatments.
Book: The Royal Javanese Treatment. We defy you not to feel like a princess throughout the whole treatment as you are given a Balinese massage, exfoliated with a concoction of rice, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, smothered in skin-softening yogurt before bathing in a bronze bath of frangipani, milk, jasmine and rose petals.
Love: The Elemis goodies in the changing area. The cleansers, toners and moisturisers laid out as you prepare for your treatment make you feel like the pampering has already begun.
Chill: Before you head back, chill out on their curtained off chaise lounges with a herbal tea. Bliss!
Contact: Call (04) 3247700.

Givenchy Spa

Set amongst the luxurious confines of the Royal Mirage, a visit to the exclusive Givenchy spa is a must. As soon as you enter the reception area, you come across the Givenchy boutique selling their skincare, make-up and perfumes, which, if you are into your designer labels, lets you know you’re in for a treat.
Book: The No Surgetics Facial. This new treatment which has been inspired by techniques used in plastic surgery is a non-invasive, line reducing facial. Using the ‘No Surgetics’ range by Givenchy, this treatment has been specially designed to maximise the effects of the products – absolutely marvellous!
Love: The whole feel and atmosphere of the spa is great and it’s the perfect place if you’re a Givenchy fan.
Chill: The relaxation room is extremely elegant with really comfy beds and there’s a great selection of mags to get stuck into.
Contact: Contact the One & Only Royal Mirage on (04) 3999999.

The Grand Spa

Book: The Anti-Cellulite Body Wrap. Intended to eliminate fatty deposits and cellulite and increase circulation, the therapist starts by giving you a vigorous full body exfoliation to prep the skin and get the blood moving. She then follows by applying the marine detoxifying mask which works deep into the skin. After lying there, relaxing and day dreaming about being a dress size smaller, you then wash it all off in your own private shower revealing smooth, silky and slightly firmer skin.
Love: The indoor pool area where you can lie back and relax some more.
Chill: Still not ready to leave? Then hang around and enjoy the use of their jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms – with all this pampering, you’ll leave there feeling like a different woman!
Contact: Call the Grand Hyatt Dubai on (04) 3171234.

Heavenly Spa

Book in for some five-star pampering, where you’ll find the city’s fluffiest robes and treatment rooms with all the mod cons. We love touches like a bell that signifies the start and end of treatments and crystal healing to help you get in touch with your spiritual side.
Book: Rollersage – the signature treatment of a massage complete with heated gemstones.
Love: Choosing your own gemstones for the rollersage; rose quartz to resolve love issues, sodalite for truthfulness, hematite for grounding and tiger eye for insight and optimism.
Chill: Worked up an appetite? Why not tuck in to a meal from the superfood-based menu, including teriyaki glazed chicken on a whole wheat wrap. It’s healthy and tasty too.
Contact: Call the Westin Mina Seyahi on (04) 3994141 for details.

Lime at Desert Palm

Far removed from the daily grind, this spa really feels like a retreat. Even the most spa savvy will be blown away by the enormous treatment rooms that overlook the on-site polo fields, while the wet area is second to none.
Book: Any of their four heavenly 2.5 hour signature Realms treatments. Our favourite is the Zephyr, involving a full body scrub, massage, facial, hair mask and scalp massage using Kuush products, which are 100 per cent organic, water-free and Halal certified.
Love: All therapists are colour-therapy trained and will focus the treatment according to the colour you feel on the day, and the colour you want to feel!
Chill: The wet area is almost a treatment in itself. Give yourself a good hour to relax in the steam room, sauna, ice room and plunge pool before chilling out on heated recliners as you look out across the horses in the polo field.
Contact: Call (04) 323 8888.

Mandara Spa

Chances are you haven’t come across this spa yet. Placed in the newly opened Monarch, it’s a real gem with possibly the most attentive staff you’ll find in any Dubai spa. Most treatments start with a gorgeous footbath to help soothe your tired tootsies before the main event.
Book: The Mandara Massage. Two therapists will work those knots out at the same time, working in sync, so you can lie back and drift off. No wonder it’s their signature treatment.
Love: Choosing which oils you want to be massaged with before your treatment. We recommend the clove!
Chill: Recline in absolute privacy in a curtained off room, while you help yourself to a big pile of magazines and an even bigger bowl of fruit.
Contact: Call The Monarch, Sheikh Zayed Road on (04) 04 5018888 for more information.

Nirvana Spa and Salon

Nirvana doesn’t aspire to be as glamorous as the high-end hotel spas but its appeal lies in its excellent therapists, laid-back atmosphere and genuine ‘client-first’ approach. You won’t feel like just another punter – Nirvana take making you feel ‘at home’ very seriously. Come here when you want to feel truly cared for.
Book: Any of the full body massages.
Love: The fact you can just stroll from body treatment to hair salon to manicure without any fuss!
Chill: To really get pampered, book into the special Nirvana VIP Lounge.
Contact: Call (04) 2833734 for further information.

RafflesAmrita Spa

This fairly new spa is everything you would imagine from the Raffles hotel – it’s light, airy and spacious and even with its modern decor has a real laid-back, relaxing vibe. The therapists’ friendly manner and extensive knowledge of all their treatments puts you at ease, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Book: The Botanical Garden Ceremony includes a thorough foot scrub followed by a relaxing full body massage.
Love: The special personal touch of having your own private room set amongst their lush gardens.
Chill: Enjoy a refreshing fruit tea while you sit back and relax some more, looking out at their beautiful gardens.
Contact: Call RafflesAmrita Dubai on (04) 3248888 for details.

SensAsia Spa

Tucked away upstairs at the back of The Village Mall, this Thai-style oasis makes you feel as if you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. At the reception you swap your shoes for fluffy slippers and are then taken into the changing room to be shown your locker and robe. This day spa is also full of thoughtful touches such the bowl with an orchid in it placed under your massage table. So when you have your treatment and your face is slotted neatly into the headrest, you’re staring at a beautiful object, instead of your therapist’s feet.
Book: The Hot Stone Massage. This relaxing and detoxifying massage is great for relieving stress and really working deep into the muscles. The therapist uses the hot stones to work even more deeply than usual. It sounds more painful than it is, honest!
Love: The warm herbal bag that’s placed around your shoulders to ease any final aches or pains.
Chill: When you’ve finished your treatment, you’re invited to relax in the Thai-style lounge area with some herbal tea, a relaxing warm herbal shoulder pillow and refreshing fruit or mint infused water.
Contact: Call The Village Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road on (04) 3498850 for more information.

Spa InterContinental

This fairly new, very modern and minimal spa at the InterContinental is a welcome relief from all the dark, oriental-inspired ones. The light and airy décor also makes for a very calming environment. They have an extensive selection of treatments on their menu, using some of the world’s top beauty brands like Shiffa and Natura Bissé and their therapists are extremely thorough and professional in explaining the treatment to you.
Book: The Natura Bissé Diamond Facial. A favourite among Hollywood celebs around Oscar time, this is the crème de la crème of facials! Great for cleansing, anti-ageing and increasing circulation, it’s an all round heavenly treatment.
Love: The oh-so-stylish décor.
Chill: Lie back and relax in their chill out room eating a selection of summer berries with a yogurt and honey dip – ideal if you are feeling a bit peckish after a long treatment.
Contact: Call the Spa InterContinental on (04) 7011257.

Timeless Spa

You’ll know when you’re getting close to Timeless Spa because the smell of frankincense will reach you first. Their exclusively designed products use natural, indigenous ingredients.
Book: The Timeless Traditions Body Treatment. Fancy a body scrub? Check. What about a Swedish massage? Check. What if you fancy a foot pack and a mini facial too? Check, check. This massage has got it all, and they use signature products containing fresh dates and frankincense so that it smells divine throughout too.
Take: Weary workmates after a hard day in the office.
Love: The extra attention. Don’t just expect your therapist to knead those knots out – they’ll give you lots of helpful ways to avoid
getting so worked up in the first place.
Chill: Still yearning for more after your treatment? Make use of the sauna and spa before you head out to face the world again!
Contact: Call The Harbour Hotel, Dubai Marina on (04) 3194630.

Willow Stream Spa

Escape from the road rage and stresses of Sheikh Zayed Road by entering the calming surroundings of this relaxing and rejuvenating spa. The Romanesque theme makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time and their Turkish Hammam-inspired steam rooms give it an authentic feel. Set to soothe, pamper and de-stress your mind, body and soul, we can safely say you’ll be in for a real treat here. Those brave enough to step under the ice shower can also aim to leave feeling totally invigorated too!
Book: The Elements in Harmony. If having your back pummelled isn’t your bag, opt for this heated mud body scrub, scalp and full body massage instead. It’s firm, but extremely relieving of stresses and strains.
Love: The décor and feel of this spa makes you feel like a goddess and hopefully you’ll leave looking like one!
Chill: Have a well earned snooze in the relaxation room with a cup of warm herbal tea to the sound of hooting owls.
Contact: Call The Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road on (04) 3325555.