ARABIAN ALLURE
Dubai is a tempting staycation destination with its myriad hospitality options. Neha Gupta Kapoor lists five such buildings with a promise to pamper
Dubai hospitality groups pamper well
When Dubai is just a four-hour fiight from India, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to label a weekend of pampering at one of its many hotels a staycation. Besides, with more than seven airlines flying between India and Dubai, flight options cross more than ten per day, making the planning easier.
A viable break away from work, the ritzy emirate’s Tourism Sector Performance report says it received 12,28,000 Indian travellers between January and September 2016, only 56,000 less than Saudi Arabians who ranked first on its list of “Top 20 Source Markets for Visitors to Dubai”. The UK ranked third with 8,87,000 visitors. Of the 10.74 million total inbound visitors to Dubai during this period, 5-star hotels reported a 75 per cent average occupancy rate, with an average stay of 3.6 nights.
Here are a few options you could explore for a three-day staycation where activity can be restricted to shuffling between your suite and the spa.
JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOTEL
The property on Sheikh Zayed 5oad is self-sufficient with a dozen dining options. This means there is one new eatery to explore for each meal of a threeday stay, between spa treatments and lounging in the suite: Deluxe Corner, Executive or the twobedroom Penthouse. Of course, unless room service is more tempting.
The large window in the bedroom provides a spectacular view of Dubai to wake up to. While you prepare the bathtub for a dip, the coffee maker in the living room promises an aromatic “wake-me-up”. In-room breakfast can either be enjoyed at the dining table in the living room or at the coffee table by the other large window here, while Dubai passes you by below.
When the need to relax demands more than a soak, a hydrotherapy treatment at Saray Spa would be a good option. It was recognised as the best for hydrotherapy treatments by Middle East Pool and
Spa Awards in September 2016. Apart from this, the 200-minute Exclusively <ours treatment is a popular one that includes a “customised and results-focused facial, customised nourishing body wrap, and your choice of massage to maximise the therapeutic eͿects”.
For a true Arabian experience, there are five hammam rituals, ranging between one and two hours. Alternatively, a two-hour treatment with Dead Sea salts or with honey and milk replicate luxurious Middle Eastern relaxation methods.
Internet rates for a weekend stay in March started at AED 1,372 `25,425 for the Deluxe Corner suite. marriott.com
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL
Amongst the 302 luxury guest rooms, there are One-bedroom and Presidential suites on the top four floors of the 42-level building. Checking into any of them promises a splendid Arabian Sea vista or a sweeping city view.
5equest for a suite with a cityscape because when you look down from your window, the bird’s-eye view of the neat web of flyovers is surreal. And at night, standing at the window, looking down at the twinkling emirate, has a very Batman-like appeal.
Unfortunately the views don’t follow into the bathroom where the tub awaits. The deep soak with creamy L’Occitane bath products can end with tying the cosy bathrobe around the waist before jumping into bed with a favourite DVD while propped up on as many pillows requested for from the menu.
A quiet stay assured, the 42nd Áoor is where the indoor Jacuzzi, temperature controlled swimming pool and separate gym are situated — exclusive to guests of floors upwards of 39. The views are even better from here. Simply put, these floors are more
like a limited access hotel-within-a-hotel; a cosy staycation, literally reducing interaction with the world to a minimum.
However, if you feel social, there is another pool located on the lower level, accessible to all hotel residents. The spa is common to all guests too, but the treatments of course, are private. Entrance to CHI, The Spa on the fourth Áoor opens with a sense of calm — a candlelit walkway over blue pools populated with fragrant petals. While it pledges to use the “finest European skincare products”, its treatments are designed to match Arabic techniques. Luxurious strokes on the skin with Arabic coffee scrub, a blend of dates, coconut milk, almond, vanilla and brown sugar or a combination of rose oil and rhassoul clay transport you to the gilded treatment rooms of yesterday’s Arabian lands. For vegans there is a separate menu altogether; there is also one customised for a man as well as for a traveller.
Internet rates for a weekend stay in March started at AED 1,530/`28,349 for the One-bedroom suite. shangri-la.com
TAJ
Though inherently an Indian property, its decor resonates with Arabic culture in royal colours and rich fabrics. However, treatments at Jiva Spa are “drawn on the rich and ancient wellness heritage of India, the fabled lifestyle and culture of Indian royalty and the healing therapies that embrace Indian spirituality.” Even the treatment names take from one of the oldest Indian languages, Sanskrit. The 120-minute Taghthia Amiqa involves an aromatic foot bath, head massage, a date, saffron, cactus gel and almond oil mask, and a soak in camel’s milk.
Champi that literally translates to head massage is a 45-minute hair invigorating scalp treatment with a blend of typical Indian herbs such as amla — Indian gooseberry, brahmi — water hyssop, jatamansi —
spikenard, curry leaves and neem. This one is known to have a sedating eͿect.
The post-massage lethargy, back at the suite, gently fades away as the natural light pours in through its Áoor-to-ceiling windows. Designed to please the leisure traveller, Taj has six suite categories to choose from: Junior, Luxury Junior, Luxury Burj View, Grand Luxury, Maharaja and Presidential. Each one has a Posturepedic mattress for relaxation, yoga kit, Molton Brown bath amenities, pillow and bath menus, and round the clock butler service so all you need to do is be pampered. Morning breakfasts are best enjoyed in the living room where one glass wall is all that separates you from the rest of the emirate.
Internet rates for a weekend stay in March started at AED 1,975/`36,597 for the Junior suite. taj.tajhotels.com
STEIGENBERGER HOTEL BUSINESS BAY
A suite with flowers on the wall over the bed, immediately lends a homely feel to the space that is bathed in beige and grey tones. Adding to the tranquillity is a large window through which plenty of natural light pours in. Enjoying peaceful views of Dubai canal and the Business Bay skyline from here doesn’t let you feel the lack of a balcony. Access to this luxurious view needn’t cease should you wish
to immerse in a warm bath. The glass wall between the bedroom and the bathroom allows direct access to breathtaking vistas, night and day. The bathtub is strategically placed such that one can even watch television while amidst relaxing bubbles.
Floral elements continue into the spa, either as part of the decor or as fresh bouquets. The menu is pretty global with a European Massage, Traditional Balinese Massage, and Relaxing Oriental Foot Massage. Additionally, the rest of the menu has varying therapies to ease out any stress. Its 120-minute Babor and Thago massages include the use of lavender and mint; some focus on just the neck and shoulders or simply get a 90-minute facial. Alternatively, a dip in its open air swimming pool, surrounded by towering glass buildings while sipping on a cocktail is as close to a resort feel as it can get.
Internet rates for a weekend stay in March started at AED 1,550/`28,729 for the Junior suite. steigenberger.com
RAFFLES
What better way to start the morning than by walking into your private balcony, watching the world rush by, while you have the option of cuddling into bed, knowing that your personal butler will arrange for that pre-ordered breakfast in bed. If interaction must be kept to a bare minimum, the butler ensures this, leaving you with an iPad through which you may control your room service needs such as dining, lights, temperature and entertaining media. If songs should be your only companions for the weekend, they will follow you throughout the suite; and also into the bathroom where the speakers are synced with the iPad and television. One might as well dive into a fun session of a therapeutic deep soak or a rhythmic shower to the beats of the music.
Alternatively, Raffes Spa that was a finalist of the World Luxury Spa Awards in 2015 has treatments inspired by Asian, Middle Eastern and European traditions. It is easy to spend most part of the day at the 1,200 sqm relaxing zone. With six treatment suites, Jacuzzi, sauna and a steam room, therapies range from the 120-minute Moroccan Gold Hammam to a 30-minute foot revival massage. For the best of this wellness Áoor, start with a quick dip at the pool and a light snack seated on a lounge chair before indulging yourself in a day with hot, wet and dry massages and baths.
Internet rates for a weekend stay in March started at AED 2,291/`42,468 for the Diplomatic suite. raffles.com