WHAT I TRIED The Ultimate Men's Package at The Palace hotel, Old Town, Dubai.
WHAT I EXPECTED The five-star hotel, located on the shoreline of the Dubai Fountain with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa, is a wonderfully situated, Arabic-influenced establishment. I was looking forward to a spa experience with a dash of flair.
WHAT HAPPENED The spa's facilities include sauna, steam room and rain showers, plus a spacious relaxation room with a good selection of magazines and books. The cosy treatment room has minimalist decor.
Instead of the run-of-the-mill massage, I was keen to try the hot stone treatment - my first experience of one. My Filipino therapist, Roldan, heated up the smooth stones and rubbed them over my back. The radiating warmth helps to ease stubborn aches and knots.
While the heat was relaxing, and Roldan was obviously experienced and well-trained, the treatment itself was a little prescriptive and "to the book". I felt on several occasions that he wanted to focus his efforts on a particular area - mainly my stressed back - but felt compelled to perform the entire process as per the menu and training manual. However, the room's dim lighting and tranquil ambience were so soothing that I nodded off. What's more, my glued-to-my-iPhone fingers were also at ease, thanks to the warmth of the stones that were placed in my palms and the extensive arm-and-hand-rub.
Up next was the facial - a deep-cleansing, black diamond exfoliation followed by a black silt mask. The 30-minute treatment left my face soft and scrubbed clean with multiple lotions and potions to slough away dead skin and ease the effects of recent 12-hour workdays.
THE VERDICT A pleasurable and convenient way to spend an afternoon and escape the hustle and bustle of Dubai Mall. The facial resulted in the closure of several pores that have been open for years and the massage had me walking tall. While the spa lacks the "wow" factor I had hoped for, its location makes it an ideal venue for a man looking to relax while his wife shops. A gift for the husband, ladies?
Ultimate Men's Package, Dh675 for 90 minutes, The Palace hotel, Old Town, Dubai, 04 428 7805
