Looking for the ultimate pampering package without worrying about the pandemic or over-night packing? The Ritz-Carlton Dubai’s new Spa-cation ticks all the boxes with an indulgent one-hour massage treatment, day passes to its pristine beach and (literally and figuratively) chilled pools plus a three-course lunch or decadent high tea thrown in for when you get peckish.
This five-star luxury retreat has retained all its laid-back grandeur – without compromising on any safety standards, a tricky line to maintain when you want guests to feel comfortable yet protected.
Temperatures are taken as you step into the hotel – and again when you enter the spa – discrete hand sanitizers at the ready everywhere. We started off the day with a massage and were checked-in the waiting lounge, where discrete signs on sofas signified where to be seated to ensure distance and there were clear screens at the reception where contactless payment was encouraged.
Upon being ushered into the huge changing rooms – plenty of place for privacy — we are handed sanitized plastic-wrapped robes and slippers before being escorted to one of 12 treatment rooms in the soothing, modern Arabesque space.
The massage is blissful – even more so as you feel so cossetted; the therapist even asks you if you’d like her to wear gloves during the treatment but after seeing all the precautions we were more than happy to have her work her magic without.
After spending a few minutes in the relaxation room – the other spa facilities are currently closed due to Covid restrictions – we made our way outside. Despite it being the weekend, there were lots of loungers – all spaced out to two meters – while fellow guests respected the guidelines, even in the huge cooled pool which provided respite against the scorching sun.
There’s a separate kids area too for families looking to frolic together. There’s no need to bring your own towels as they are provided – again, sanitized and wrapped, along with a personal cooler filled with iced water bottles.
You also get free run of the beautiful beach; don’t miss out getting that trademark Instagram snap personifying the Dubai dream of sun, sea and sand in suitably five-star surroundings.
Once you feel your golden glow is getting a tad bit too rosy, you’ll be ready for a divine lunch at azure pool spot La Baie – or the resort’s signature high tea in the lobby lounge. We opted for the latter as part of our package to complete that quintessential hotel experience.
Sink into one of the comfy sofas as a plateful of delicious finger sandwiches are provided for each guest – no need for sharing or fighting over the prawn cocktail roll or delicate cucumber and salmon offering.
This is followed by three dramatic tiers of sweet treats and freshly baked scones complete with jam, cream and a tangy lemon curd. Again, each guest gets their own tier of desserts, plus there is plenty of tea and coffee and water to wash it all down.
You’ll honestly feel like you’ve been on holiday – without the stress of packing or travelling – by opting for this supremely spoiling daycation priced at AED580 per person, usually the cost of just a massage. We are already planning a return trip, lured by the marzipan Battenbergs that adorned the cake stand alone.
Find The Ritz-Carlton Dubai at JBR, Dubai Marina. For more information, call: +971 4 318 6520 or visit ritzcarlton.com
Photos: Supplied
