THE SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL JUMEIRA, DUBAI

Formerly known as the land of everything “over the top”, Dubai has recently acquired unprecedented levels of sophistication, not only in the fields of hotellerie and gastronomy, but in wellness & beauty as well. The opening of the Spa of the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira confirms the trend. The resort – the first in the Middle East by the group – opened last March on a pristine stretch of beach of Jumeirah, one of the most exclusive areas of Dubai, bringing a further whiff of glamour to the city´s shores. Rooms and suites with private terraces designed by interiors guru Jeffrey Wilkes and 6 restaurants & bars including Tasca by Portuguese star chef José Avillez, Japanese steakhouse Netsuu by Australian chef Ross Shonhan and a Cake Shop (cake-eating is a popular socializing activity in the Gulf) make it a playground for visitors and locals alike. The Spa is among the largest in the region: there is a state-of-the-art Fitness & Movement Studio offering personal training and classes on the beach. While 9 treatment rooms – including a Royal Suite where Emirs and Vips find complete privacy – are the theatre for holistic treatments ranging from typical Mandarin Oriental rituals (we love the Digital Wellness Escape- 2 hours, AED 1220 – that targets hands neck and shoulders stiffened by laptop use) to soins linked to the diverse culture of the United Arab Emirates. The Nomadic Sensory (2 hours, AED 1500) concocted with local herbs and mineral-rich Neela, is accompanied by the healing rhythms of the Doumbek, a typical instrument of the region. The sumptuous Royal Saffron is a ritual where a cocktail of 24carat gold, fragrant saffron and mogra – the most precious of jasmine extracts –brings the skin to optimum hydration while soothing the senses (2 hours and 30 min, AED 2,250). Gold and mogra are also the star ingredient of the 24K Gold Facial, a treatment targeting fine lines, that through the restorative power of the precious metal, renews and brightens the complexion in an utterly luxurious way (1 hour AED 800, 1,30 min. AED 950). Extravagant and indulgent, just like Dubai.