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Dubai Spa Review: Elixir Spa at The Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa (Part Two)

While The Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa may be well known for its lively and energetic beach party venue XL Beach Club (which by the way I still have to check out!) – this grand hotel and beach resort is also home to a hidden gem of a spa: Elixir Spa.

I decided to arrive 35 minutes or so before my appointment time so that I can relax in the spa’s locker room facilities; steam and sauna rooms before my treatment.

Steam Room

What makes this Ottoman-decor inspired steam room stand out from any other steam room that I had ever been to is the added detail in this room’s ceiling. Small light fixtures in the ceiling of the room change color simultaneously in a very subtle and relaxed vibe. The swift color changing movements help take your mind off whatever it is that it was engaged in and aids in clearing your head. The multi-colored lights definitely made me only want to focus on how the colors shifted and never want to leave the room! But I had to, since I still wanted to check out the sauna room next door.

Sauna Room

I thought that this spa’s sauna room was also different than others that I had been to. First, it was highly spacious. It could easily fit 15 to 20 people – perfect venue for a sauna party 🙂 Then, it had a furnace and nice interiors that emit a relaxed and chilled vibe. By staring at a light in one corner of this expansive and stylish sauna room, I could feel some calm and peacefulness overcome me. If I could use one word to describe this sauna room, it would be: authentic.

Relaxation Room

Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to lounge in this tranquil and peaceful room. Because it was already time for my treatment. The room had a relaxed air to it with the sound of soft chilled tracks playing in the background and cool dim lighting. It’s the perfect place for some meditation and quietness after or before a treatment at the spa.

Hot Stone Renewal Body Treatment

I’ve been wanting to try the hot stone massage for quite some time, and I’m glad that I did! as the therapist advised me, this massage is one of their best-seller treatments and it’s no surprise why it is. The type of massage used in the hot stone treatment is the popular Swedish massage. The therapist begins by rubbing some Moroccan Argan oil on the area, before using the warm yet soothing hot stones to massage the area in a smooth rolling motion. Circular, upward, or random strokes are used when massaging with the hot stones. What I found to be remarkable and highly comforting was that the stones glide on the skin so effortlessly. It certainly doesn’t feel as if an object is being pressed on your skin, but more like someone with unusually warm hands massaging your body 🙂 Simply divine.

After massaging with the stones, the therapist also uses her hands to complete the treatment with conventional massage strokes. The procedure is repeated on legs, arms, back, stomach and chest before ending with a stress-relieving head massage.

Needless to say, my one hour hot stone massage treatment made me feel relaxed, stress-free and utterly pampered. It also put me in a hypnotized sleepy mood which I loved except that I had to get some work done after the treatment 🙂

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

Improves circulation
Improves blood flow
Eliminates toxins from the body
Helps relieve stress
Aids in relaxation and rejuvenation

Don’t Miss

I loved the still water with a hint of lemon that was served at the spa. It was a lovely addition to the conventional water, and was so refreshing to have before or after treatments. So if you visit the spa, you must have the lemon infused drinking water 🙂

Price

The hot stone renewal body treatment is priced at AED 500

There is an ongoing summer promotion at the spa which entitles you to a 20% discount on any Elixir signature treatment.

Contact

You can check out the Habtoor Grand’s web site for their contact information and details about the hotel’s restaurants, leisure and sports facilities, as well as their pool and beach club.

“like” them on Facebook to stay updated with their news here.

You can also read about my experience on a day at their beach club here.

Until next time, have a wonderfully pampered day!

Dubai Spa Review: N.A.I.L.S. Specializing in Organics

I had been living in Dubai for a year or so when I first found out about Nails Organic Spa. I think I was doing an online search for a salon close to my area when a link or a review led me to this hidden gem. Since then, I have been a regular visitor of this amazingly professional and relaxing spa.

Spa founder and CEO Jazz Bedesha explained to me how she wanted to bring something different to the spa market, so the concept of using organic products was introduced at Nails. Jazz also explains that: “although not everything is 100% organic, they try to source as many organic and natural products as possible.”

The spa uses and sells a number of all-natural and toxin-free cosmetics and skin care products. These include brands such as Zoya and Eminence.

Zoya nail polishes are non-toxic and have proven to be the only non-cancer causing nail polish brand available. By focusing exclusively on healthy, natural Nails, Zoya Nail Polishes has been awarded as the longest wearing natural nail polish by an independent panel in Women’s Health Magazine. Zoya Nail Polishes are free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor.

Eminence is an exotic skin care line that brings together high quality Hungarian ingredients with old world knowledge of herbs and fruits. The high-end organic brand addresses a variety of skin concerns such as premature aging and wrinkling, sun damage, acne, loss of vitality, tone and radiance. Despite Eminence being more on the higher price range, other herbal and natural line products are being sold at the spa.

Treatment: Half Lymphatic/Half Aromatherapy Massage

I was advised to do a combination of lymphatic and aromatherapy massages since each type serves different purposes. The aromatherapy massage uses softer strokes and helps you to relax, while the lymphatic massage uses strong strokes on areas that are susceptible to cellulite. The therapist used upward massage movements on my legs to promote blood circulation towards the heart and help reduce cellulite.

Benefits of lymphatic massage include:

Improving blood circulation.
Reducing body toxins and cellulite.
Toning and firming the body.
Tightening the skin.

Prior to the the treatment, my therapist Jen asked me to choose from a color palette the colors that I liked the most. Later, I got to smell the different oil scents corresponding to those colors and choose the one that appealed mostly to my mood at that time. If you’ve been following my blog, you might remember a previous review that I had done on a treatment with Nails. You can read all about it here.

All massage oils used in this highly rejuvenating and relaxing spa are 100% organic. Moroccan Argan oil is used in the massage treatment, and is also available for sale at the spa. I can honestly say that discovering this oil has been one of the best beauty secrets that I came across in my lifetime! Unlike many oils, Argan oil has a light texture and is absorbed quickly by the skin. It effectively nourishes thirsty skin, hair and even the rough skin on your feet! I highly recommend this oil to everyone and I believe that it’s one of the essential beauty items on your dressing table.

Staff Friendliness and Spa Ambiance

Honestly speaking, the staff at this spa (including the receptionists) are amongst the most professional salon staff that I have come across in this region! The appointments are always booked and started in a timely manner, the ladies are professional, polite and friendly, and most importantly, the appointments are ran smoothly and in a highly organized and systematic way. As you know, Dubai is a greatly fast-paced city and one can’t afford to loose time in waiting for an appointment or for the previous client to finish their time or anything of the sort!

Another element that I absolutely love about this spa is the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. The soft background music playing in the spa is always calming and helps you to unwind from the business of city life.

Price

Once you visit Nails Spa, you will realize that this spa offers high quality services and treatments for great value.

The one hour Lymphatic Massage is priced at AED 375. You can try a package of 10 sessions and see how it enhances your body shape and assists you in loosing the extra pounds.

Contact Information

Web Site: Nails Organic Spa.

Facebook Page: N.A.I.L.S Specializing in Organics.

Final Notes

Nails regularly run special promotions on their various spa treatments and services. You can find out all about them on the spa’s Facebook Page.
From my personal experience, Zoya nail polish is way more long-lasting than other nail polish brands. The colors are solid and don’t chip off easily.
Argan oil is sold at the spa for AED 130 per bottle.

With a bagel shop just across the street from this heavenly spa (which I still have to try), all-natural and organic products, friendly service and a chilled ambiance, what better place to spend a day of unwinding and relaxation than at Nails?

Besides frequenting the spa for my waxing and nails services, I now look forward to trying their other massage treatments and services.

Have you been to an organic spa lately? if so, where was it and how would you rate your experience?

Dubai Spa Review: Tips and Toes (Part Two)

I’m a huge fan of massage treatments! whether it’s a stress relieving deep tissue back massage, a regenerating Balinese full body massage, a 30-minute foot reflexology treatment or even a strong scalp massage at the hair salon, I’m up for it any time of the year, month or day 🙂

I even booked another massage treatment today for this Saturday, so make sure you follow the blog to read all about it.

Exactly one month ago I had done a review on Tips and Toes‘ Rattan Foot Reflex treatment. If you missed it, hit this link for that review.

I was very pleased with my treatment that I decided to go back to the salon for a back and head massage. The back massage was a 30 minute Swedish massage. And the head massage lasted for 20 minutes.

Tips and Toes Greens Branch

I would like to note to all of my readers that while I went to the spa’s Dubai Media City branch for my foot reflexology treatment, my back and head massage was done at their usually busy Greens branch. Unfortunately, the space in this branch and the size of the treatment room doesn’t allow for a good amount of privacy and peacefulness required for any massage treatment. That’s why I would highly recommend a different branch if you were planning on getting a massage done. The Greens branch is OK for nails and other services though.

My Therapist

Being a highly talkative person in certain situations, I couldn’t help but start a conversation with my massage therapist. And I’m so glad that I did. Because she turned out to be very friendly, kind and wise too! Although she asked me the common question that spa and salon therapists like to ask their female clients: “Do you have a boyfriend?” twice, and me answering with the same reply (obviously, it was within a short period of time): No, I’m too picky – I truly adored that therapist for her wise response to my answer when she said: “All men in Dubai are players. If you don’t like to play, you will loose.” Or something of the like 🙂

Right. Thank you for reminding me of yet another challenging aspect of my current life while I was trying to get a massage done to relax and forget about stressful issues! (honestly, I’m only joking, I absolutely love wise and life-smart individuals.)

My Massage Treatment

The treatment as a whole was highly rejuvenating and soothing at the same time. It greatly helped me to unwind and forget about life’s stresses (including bad boy types) 🙂

My therapist also used some hot towels to help release the tension in my muscles and tight knots. This resulted in reducing the size of the knots to almost diminishing them altogether! Which as you all know is not an easy thing to do especially from one massage session!

As a result, I left the treatment room feeling more relaxed, much less stressed and in an overall more positive mood.

Cost and Contact Link

Since the spa was running a special summer promotion at the time of my treatment, I was able to get a 30% discount on the service. So I ended up paying AED 119 for my massage treatment.

You can contact the salon, find the branch nearest to you and ask about promotions by checking their web site below:

http://www.tipsandtoes.com/

Conclusion

I would highly recommend Tips and Toes for a mid-range revitalizing spa treatment. Their many branches offer a wide selection of services with professional therapists at very reasonable prices.

Personally, I have been dreaming of sitting in a warm jacuzzi or hot tub and never having to get out! EVER!

What treatment do you find yourself daydreaming about? which one is at the top of your list right now? what type of spa service do you like to get most?

Dubai Ramadan Iftar Review: Abd El Wahab The Fisherman

I must admit that it was a strange day full of awkward moments and situations for both me and my expat friend! Walking towards the newly opened Abd El Wahab The Fisherman restaurant at Pier 7 in Dubai Marina felt like a competition of who had more weird stories that day.

I couldn’t wait to tell her about my – hair salon appointment gone mad – story while she was showing me the cat bites on her foot! yes, it was one of those days when nothing seems to be going right I guess.

Despite our frantic and manic Monday stories, we still managed to have a great time at Abd El Wahab and were also rewarded with freshly prepared sea bass fish for our main courses. In addition to an extra fish that we couldn’t dream of having because we were simply too full.

My friend thought that the food served was enough to serve three more people. And was amazed at how our table was completely full of a spread of delicious Lebanese mezza plates.

The restaurant has a nice view of the Dubai Marina skyline…

Iftar Menu

The Iftar at Abd El Wahab The Fisherman comprises of a set menu that includes Ramadan drinks, soup, Lebanese Mezza, Main course, and Dessert. For the main course, you get to choose between a plate of mixed grills or a daily dish. Today’s daily dish was “kharoof mahshi”.

Since my friend is vegetarian and can only eat seafood, and since we were both looking forward to trying the seafood at this new Lebanese seafood eatery, we asked the supervisor if we could have fish for our main course instead of the grills or daily dish. To our surprise, we not only got two sea bass pieces of fish for our mains, they even served us an additional fish 😀

Lebanese Mezza at its best at Abd El Wahab The Fisherman

If they could work on enhancing one thing, what would that be?

My friend was beyond shocked when a waiter took away her starter plate while she was still eating her hummos! throughout our Iftar, the servers seemed to be in a rush to clear our plates or the table, bring in the next course, or simply offer us some refreshing napkins!

I repeat, during Iftar, it is highly important for the servers to take into consideration that us clients have been fasting all day and would need to take our sweet time in eating and taking breaks between courses! It’s even more agitating when you can sense that there is someone watching over your shoulder to see if you are done with your plate, so that they can take it and bring in the next one! It really takes away from the whole – meant to be relaxed – dining (or in this case Iftar) experience!

So please have some mercy on us and let us take down our meal slowly and with ease.

Cost

The Iftar set menu at Abd El Wahab The Fisherman is at 135 AED per person. It includes soft drinks, Ramadan drinks, soup, starters, a main course, desserts and coffee or tea!

Conclusion

After our superb Iftar, we had a short stroll at nearby Marina Mall before sitting down at Cafe Nero to chat. To help us digest our huge Iftar even better, a live band were playing the Oud at the mall’s main lobby. The chilled tunes helped us relax and unwind after a long and unusually awkward day!

Oud Player at the center of Dubai Marina Mall

Dubai Ramadan Tent Review: Emaar Ramadan Tent – “Downtown”

When my expat friend told me that she wanted to try a traditional Ramadan Iftar, I wasn’t sure where to take her. I had been to a few Iftars over the course of the three years that I had been living in Dubai. And being someone who always likes to try new things, I was certain that I didn’t want to go to any of the places that I had already been to in previous Ramadans. That’s when I remembered the most recent addition to Dubai’s Ramadan tent scene: Emaar’s Ramadan Tent; also known as “Downtown”.

The spacious glamorously decorated tent is setup across three main seating areas:

Large indoor area, also known as courtyard. This section has regular dining tables and is surrounding the buffet.
Private Majlis; this seating offers a semi-private dining experience with dim lighting and majlis style low seats and tables.
Glass Garden; the seating here is also majlis style. This area offers great views of Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.

Buffet Options

If you are a vegetarian or only eat seafood like my friend, you could be disappointed as most of the main course meals are meat based or contain some type of chicken, beef or lamb. That left very limited options for my friend to take from. Those included pasta, a seafood dish and some vegetables!

However, if you are a meat-lover then you are in for a great treat. Traditional Arabic dishes were served next to International cuisine favorites.

You can expect to see Arabic dishes such as Lamb Ouzi, Chicken Muloukhia, Dawood Basha, Kebba bel laban, and many others.

Entertainment

A talented oud player gave the iftar a chilled and relaxed ambiance by playing classical Arabic tunes. This added a cool vibe to the whole Iftar experience at this elegantly decorated tent.

What Needs Enhancement

Despite the great food and ambiance at this modern tent, the service towards the end of the iftar was agitating!

Ten minutes before they were going to close the Iftar (it ends at 8:30), the waiter informed us that they will be removing the food trays from the buffet at 8:30. My friends and I agreed that an hour and 15 minutes is not enough time to eat a three course meal (especially after fasting the whole day). This lead to me rushing into my dessert plate right after I finished my main course. Resulting in a bad stomach ache afterwards and having difficulty to walk straight! 😀

Another offensive gesture that the waiters did was bringing the check to our table without us asking for it! They were pretty much in a rush to get us out of the place as soon as possible and were not attempting to hide it! It seemed like they had to clear the table quickly to make it ready for the next batch of clients coming for Suhoor at the tent. We all understand that this is a business in the end of the day, but customer service makes all the difference in any dining experience.

Tip

Don’t miss out on the apple crumble tart! It’s simply divine!

Price

Iftar Buffet costs 170 AED per person.

For Bookings

You can send a private message to their Facebook Page, since the lines are usually busy.

https://www.facebook.com/DowntownDubai

Personal Tip

The best thing that we did after our rushed Iftar was to walk all the way to Dubai Mall. That really helped me feel better after my bad stomach ache, and I would strongly suggest that you do the same!

Dubai Spa Review: Tips and Toes

First, I would like to wish all our Muslim readers a blessed and peaceful Ramadan. I hope that you are trying to take things at a slower pace like we are. And maybe you can take some time off to pamper yourself and treat your body for a relaxing and detoxifying massage.

Today, I headed to Tips and Toes salon at Dubai Media City to try out their new Rattan Foot Reflex treatment.

Summer Promotion

The spa is offering a 30% discount on all full-priced services booked between 9 am to 3 pm throughout July.

What is a Rattan Foot Reflex treatment?

I was told by my massage therapist that foot reflexology has originated from China. And of course is practiced all across the globe. In China, hot stones are used in the foot reflexology. Which is unfortunately not available at this salon. The Rattan Foot Reflex is a foot reflexology treatment where rattan sticks are used to massage the feet instead of the hands!

The therapist alternates between two rattan sticks during the treatment. A short, small stick is used to target the pressure points on the sole of the foot. While another long stick is used on the side of the foot, and held against the bones. It’s also used on the lower half of the leg in a massaging motion.

The therapist explained to me that extra care must be taken when using the stick to avoid injury. So the person doing the massage must hold the foot with the other hand.

Facts

Foot reflexology can be done on a daily basis. Anyone can do it for themselves by using their hands to exert pressure on the points matching the different body organs.
At first instance, the rattan treatment can be painful on some points such as the tips of the toes. So I must add that this treatment is not for the fragile souls! I would say it suits anyone who loves strong massages that use hard pressure. Even when a solid object is used to apply that strong pressure.
The pain associated with the rattan treatment pressure motion will lessen with regular massage sessions.

Benefits of foot reflexology

Improves blood circulation.
Reduces stress and body tension.
Strengthens the immune system.
Cleanses the body.
Purifies the body from toxins.
Helps to regulate periods and relieves other hormone-related issues.
Makes the body feel lighter.

My Therapist

I was pleased to get the treatment done with a Balinese therapist. She’s actually based in the salon’s “Greens” branch, but was at the Dubai Media City salon for a temporary period. So if you want to get a massage done with her, just call up “The Greens” branch and ask for the Balinese massage therapist. She’s the only one 🙂

Treatment Cost

The regular price for the Rattan Foot Reflex treatment is 150 AED for 40 minutes. But I only paid 105 AED since I booked the appointment between 9 am to 3 pm. So I got a 30% discount off of the regular price.

Contact

To find the nearest Tips and Toes branch, check their website at the following link:

http://www.tipsandtoes.com/

I decided to get a polish change as well!

Dubai Beach Club Review: Fairmont The Palm

I wanted to squeeze in a beach club review before the month of Ramadan begins. Since I’ll be fasting and there is absolutely no way anyone can visit a Dubai beach in the summer without having anything to drink or eat! I also wanted to check out Fairmont The Palm‘s beach and pool club while they have their summer promotion rates going on.

Summer Promotion Rates

Validity of the promotion: Until the end of August

Adult day pass fee: 195 AED (without the food and beverage voucher) and 265 AED (inclusive of a 100 AED F&B voucher)

Kids (ages 5 to 13): 99 AED (without the F&B voucher) and 130 AED (inclusive of a 50 AED F&B voucher)

Pool and Beach Facts

The hotel has four pools; two adult-only pools and two family pools.

A resident DJ plays by the pool bar on Friday evenings from 5 to 10 pm.

I was informed by the hotel’s Operations Director – Frederic Bellone that the beach was partially closed due to construction work “to expand the private beach area and to make the bottom of the ocean more gradient.”

Mr. Bellone also mentioned that the expansion work should be completed within a few days. So you can still head down to the beach club and enjoy their summer promotion. I would suggest that you ask about the construction work when calling to book your day pass. As booking in advance is required for the Fairmont’s beach club.

Is free Wi-Fi Available at the Beach?

Unlike Madinat Jumeirah properties, Wi-Fi is only available for in-house guests and club members. Outside guests need to pay 100 AED for a day’s use of the hotel’s Wi-Fi.

Pros

Relaxed and laid-back ambiance with chill-out Arabian fusion tracks playing in the pool area.
The adult-only pool is a good spot for contemplation and meditation. With a couple of fountains pouring water into the pool, the sound creates a calming effect that can be used for meditation. The pool is also surrounded by palm trees, so looking up to the sky does feel like you’re on vacation. Especially when combined with a beautiful bird flying by the water and the fountain’s peaceful water sounds.
A complimentary bottle of still water is provided for all pool and beach guests.
Complimentary locker access. Inside the locker is a coat hanger, a bath towel, a small towel, and a plastic bag for storing your wet swim suit.
The beach and pool day pass also includes access to the spa’s modern and state of the art gym, steam room and sauna.
The facilities are super-clean and well-maintained to high standards.

Cons

I wasn’t informed about the partial closing of the beach when I called to book the day pass and ask about the beach/pool access. I only found out about it when I got to the hotel. This meant that I had to lounge by the pool for a few hours until the construction work was over at the beach and I could go into the water. But that wasn’t a problem, as I could always use some meditation at the pool’s relaxing fountains 🙂
The staff at the beach area seemed to be in a rush to close down the sun umbrellas and fold back the lounger cushions when it wasn’t time for sunset yet. Maybe it’s a routine practice and part of their job description, but it gave me the feeling that they were rushing to end their work day chores as soon as they could! The beach area wasn’t busy anyway, and so it didn’t seem like they would have a lot of wrapping up to do at the end of the day.
The food quality at the pool bar could use some enhancement. More so since the Fairmont on Sheikh Zayed Road is associated with great brunch and food options. I will be talking more about the food in a while.
The front section of the ocean’s ground has rocks and is not smooth for walking. I believe that the management should consider making the ground surface smooth for walking. Especially for kids.

What to Eat and Drink?

To quench my thirst, I ordered an orange ginger tea cooler. Which was basically orange juice with a hint of ginger. It was a refreshing drink for a hot summer day.

For lunch, I had a chicken breast burger on wheat bread. I was delighted to see a healthy option for a sandwich on the menu. But I was disappointed as the chicken was a bit tough and didn’t look like it was cooked up to good quality levels. The taste of the food was average, and could use some improvement.

A few hours after lunch, it was time for my coffee break. And for that, I ordered a banana soy latte at the beach. It’s a blend of bananas, soy milk and a shot of espresso. The first time my drink was prepared, it had a lot of ice blended in it. And so the taste of the latte was somewhat non-existent from the excess of ice that was used. But when I asked for less ice to be used in preparing my latte, it tasted much better and was such a revitalizing and cooling summer drink.

Will I go back?

I would love to go back to the Fairmont’s beach club for three reasons:

To take advantage of the summer promotion rate while it lasts.
To check out the pool atmosphere on a Friday evening when the resident DJ is playing. I went on a Saturday and so I missed it. (Please take note that this will continue after Ramadan only).
To see if I can meet a potential husband at the pool or beach (note: most guys at this beach club are very fit with buffed-up masculine bodies and wash board abs) 😀

Link:

http://www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai/

I will leave you with some random images from my day at the Fairmont The Palm’s beach club. You can also check my Facebook page for more images and other cool posts.

Dubai Spa Review: Elixir Spa at The Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa

There’s always a story behind everything that I do. Sometimes, it’s funny. Other times it’s sad and this time, it was ordinary. I had written a review on The Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa beach club very recently. If you missed it, you can read it here.

As I was leaving the beach club that day, I was handed a voucher for a 20% discount for a massage treatment at the hotel’s spa: Elixir Spa.

So, I naturally booked a massage appointment to make use of the promotion before it expired and before Ramadan started.

Summer Promotion

When I called to book my appointment, I was informed that I can get a 60 or 90 minute massage treatment. I went for the one-hour option. I inquired about the prices before and after the discount. The 60 minute Elixir Therapeutic Massage’s regular rate is 450 AED. After the summer promotion discount, I paid 360 AED. I asked about the type of massage and I was told that it’s a Swedish full body massage.

Here’s a list of the spa services included in the summer promotion (valid until July 31, 2013):

Main Drawbacks

I was asked to pay for my massage before the treatment. I don’t think that it’s a welcoming or nice gesture to ask the client to pay for the service prior to getting it. Especially in a spa environment.
I wasn’t informed at the time of booking the treatment that use of the steam and sauna rooms is included in my treatment. I only found out about this from my therapist right before the massage. I wasn’t able to make use of the full treatment offer since I had already made plans to have lunch with my dad and so I couldn’t just stay and use the other facilities available with my treatment. The staff at the reception didn’t inform me of this neither at the time of booking nor at the time of the appointment.

Massage Rating

I found the massage to be up to professional standards. I had asked the therapist for a hard pressure massage with a focus on my shoulders and upper back. The therapist did a great job with a consistent pressure throughout the whole treatment. Overall, the massage was very relaxing and soothing and I almost fell asleep by the end of it 🙂

Oils Used and a Balinese Tradition

The Moroccan oil used in the treatment was a combination of both Argan and Jasmine oils.

Benefits of Argan oil:

Helps relieve muscle tension.
Promotes hair growth. It can be used in scalp massage as well.
Highly effective in moisturizing dry skin and hair.

Benefits of Jasmine oil:

Jasmine can significantly aid in the rejuvenation of the skin and in making women look younger. My Balinese therapist explained to me how Indonesian ladies eat fresh Jasmine petals in search of a youthful complexion. She also told me about a famous Indonesian movie actress who at 95 years of age looked as though she was only 40, simply because she followed a regular “Jasmine Petal” diet 🙂

My therapist hadn’t tried it though. I think we can safely stick to the jasmine oil for now 🙂

My Massage Therapist

Luh Sri is the only Balinese therapist at Elixir Spa. With over seven years of experience in various spa treatments at world-class properties; including a couple of years at the Hyatt hotel in Bali, she has the professionalism of a five-star hotel spa therapist. Not to mention the knowledge, friendliness, and positive spirit that are essential traits of any beauty therapist.

Will I make another visit?

I would love to go back to have another full body massage with Luh. Maybe next time I can try the hot stone massage, or another type of massage or treatment. In case I decide to make another visit, I will make sure to check the offers before booking and to make use of the locker room facilities such as the sauna and steam room should they be included in the treatment package.

Conclusion

The staff at the reception need to be informed of all the promotional offers (and their perks). And they must be trained to convey complete information to the clients.Whether these guests are visiting from outside the hotel or are staying at the resort.

I believe that the spa management can do more to attract outside clients as well as in-house hotel guests. At least that was the message that I got from the way the promotion and my booking were handled.

Contact Link

http://grandjumeirah.habtoorhotels.com/site/general/LeisureAndSpa.aspx

Dubai Beach Club Review: Talise Fitness, Madinat Jumeirah

A strong instinct told me that I must have a look at the latest issue of Time Out Dubai while I was standing at the magazine stand the other day. To my amusement, The latest issue’s cover read: “Battle of the Beach Clubs”! The timing was perfect as I was planning to visit and review a couple of Dubai beach clubs this summer.

After reading the detailed description and comparison table for the different beach clubs, I decided to head to Talise Fitness, Madinat Jumeirah for my next review and make use of their fabulous summer offer.

Beach and Pool Access

The day pass gives you access to the 3km long private beach stretching from Al Qasr extravagant hotel to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, in addition to the two pools (one is at Mina Al Salam hotel and the other is at Al Qasr hotel).

Pros

The staff at the Talise Fitness club reception and the beach and pools were very friendly, attentive and helpful.
The facilities including the rest rooms were always clean and well-maintained.
The cushions on the deck chairs were very comfortable.
There are private cabanas available free of charge.
The tent-designed cabanas at the Al Qasr side of the beach can be rented for 500 AED per day.
The beach and pool are not too busy; average crowd.
Quiet beach, great for reading a book.
3km long private, enclosed beach means a lot of room for swimming and chilling in the ocean.
The loungers are within close proximity to the water.

I was informed by the water sports rental staff person that the weather in Dubai this year has been remarkably pleasant, compared to the usual scorching heat that hits the region at this time of the year. Normally, the temperatures soar starting June and up until the end of September. But luckily, the summer this year has started on a lighter note. And let’s hope that it stays that way for a while!

There even was a cool breeze at the end of the day as we approached sunset. And I found myself commenting on a Facebook status which spoke about cool weather conditions at a nearby venue, and saying that I was also enjoying the cool temperatures at the beach at Mina Al Salam hotel.

Unlike my previous beach trip when the beach was flagged and the waves were manic, this Friday witnessed quiet waves and cool water temperatures. But don’t worry, Talise Fitness beach always keeps the beach goers informed of the ocean and weather status. Check out their boards and signs with weather and water forecasts.

Where to have Lunch

The beach waiters can bring your food order from the pool bar straight to your lounger if you were too lazy to leave your comfy deck chair. You can also head to the pool bar and eat at one of the tables like I did. Or if you were with someone or a group of people, then you might want to have lunch at one of the many multi-cuisine restaurants available at both Mina Al Salam and Al Qasr hotels.

I went for a prime beef burger with a side green salad. And I had a beach punch mixed fruit mocktail.

My Friday Beach Buddy :) — My Friday Beach Buddy 🙂

I must say that the iced-coffee was a let-down, since it was basically ice cubes dropped into a glass of coffee. I think I was still craving the highly refreshing iced-coffee that I had at The Habtoor Grand Beach Club. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can read all about it here.

As the time came close to sunset, I decided to go and try out the largest leisure pool in Dubai at Al Qasr hotel. Access to the pool is included in the beach and pool day pass. To get there, you can either walk, take a buggy, or the water abra. I opted for the famous Dubai lifestyle transport: the lovely buggy car.

It's time to hit the pool! — It’s time to hit the pool!

Dubai's Largest Leisure Pool at Al Qasr Hotel — Dubai’s Largest Leisure Pool at Al Qasr Hotel

The pool at Al Qasr hotel was designed to be not too deep with families and kids in mind. The water temperature at the pool is centrally controlled throughout the year to adjust to the changing weather temperatures. So the water temperature was just right when I went in for a swim. What’s unique about the pool at Al Qasr is that there are two wild ducks swimming and fluttering their wings on its expansive surface! The ducks (named Chip and Dale by one of the life guards) are imported from overseas to spend three months in Dubai (June, July and August) before re-breeding and then going back to their hometown. It felt so relaxing and soothing to swim in Al Qasr’s wide and elegant pool. And the pair of ducks’ floating on the water made the experience even more calming and peaceful.

Downside

This beach club has a very polished, glamorous and posh edge to it. It might not appeal to everyone.
The quietness of the beach makes it a bit on the boring side.
There’s no music or DJ playing. Which means that the only sounds you will be hearing are other people’s conversations or the sound of speeding jet skis.
The place lacks in character, soul and a strong identity. Its ultra chic and glamorous look leaves no room for a spontaneous feel.
The beach lacks the lively ambiance and fun vibe that I find and like about Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa’s beach club.
Jebel Ali Beach Club makes for a great escape from the city, since it’s located in an isolated resort. While you can’t get that same feel with Talise Fitness beach. Seeing the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sky scrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road while swimming in the ocean, makes it difficult not to feel that you are still in the heart of the city!

Who Should Visit?

If you are looking for a quiet beach to relax after a long work week or would like to read your book in peace, then this beach club could be the right pick. But if you are someone who’s looking for a vibrant and busy beach atmosphere, then this beach club might not appeal to you.

Will I go again?

I must admit that I plan on going back for two reasons:

To see the beautiful orange and red hues of light as the sun sets at the beach. I didn’t get to see them this time because I wanted to head to the pool early.
To make the most out of their summer promotion day pass fees which lasts until September 10.

Bonus Tip

Free Wi-Fi is available at the beach and at all Madinat Jumeirah properties. So you can easily check your e-mail, or browse the web and Facebook from the comfort of your sun lounger 🙂

Summer Promotion

The regular fee for the day pass is 495 AED inclusive of a 150 AED food and beverage voucher. However, during the summer months until September 10, you can get the day pass for just 250 AED (without food and beverage) for adults. And for kids aged between 1 to 15 years old, the entrance fee is 150 AED. The fees are valid for both week days and weekends alike.

Timings

The beach is open from 9 am till sunset.
The pools are open from 9 am until 9 pm.

Contact Information

Should you require any additional information, you can contact Talise Fitness by checking their web site:

https://www.jumeirah.com/MJTaliseFitness

You can also read some facts about the beach club at the following Time Out Dubai article:

http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/41718-best-beach-clubs-in-dubai?image=16

Dubai Spa Review: Zen Asia Spa

Zen Asia Spa is your local area type of spa. The one that is conveniently located within walking distance from where you live. And since I happen to live a few blocks away from their JLT branch, I decided to drop in one day to try their back massage treatment.

Facts

The spa offers a wide array of services ranging from Moroccan baths and slimming treatments, nail and hair care services, to waxing, threading and massage treatments.
They have two locations in Dubai; one in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the other in International City.
They offer gift vouchers, loyalty programs, customized packages and children spa birthday parties.

My Personal Experience

I try to get a back massage whenever I get the chance and time. And I usually go for chain massage centers, reflexology centers, or hotel spas. This time however, I decided to try a place located in my area. Mainly to save on the time and hassle required to reach the place. But also because I heard and read a lot about Zen Asia Spa and I was curious to try it out for myself.

The Therapist

My therapist was a friendly lady from India. Her name was Fatima. I found out from her after the treatment that she is a physiotherapist. Therefore, she knows the right spots to exert pressure on the back or body. I prefer a strong massage and I asked for that when I called to book my appointment. I also informed Fatima about it before the start of the treatment.

Overall Impression

I have to note one thing that I found different from other massage treatments that I had in this country. The therapist was practicing some breathing techniques (not sure if they were intended or not), but this made me feel a bit uncomfortable during my treatment. It took away from the “professionalism” of the massage and place. It kind of set the line between the chain reflexology centers and the hotel spas and the “local area” massage place.

I don’t want to sound obnoxious and I didn’t go there expecting a five-star treatment or service. But at the same time, I was hoping not to feel a considerable amount of difference in the service level and quality of treatment.

Prices

The 30-minute back massage costs 85 AED

Will I Make Another Visit

Honestly, only if I didn’t feel like taking the metro or cab to another place. And wanted to just walk a few blocks (hopefully not in the mid-afternoon like this time) to get a reasonable massage.

Cons

After I had paid, the lady at the reception didn’t seem to care to reply to my good-bye or to even put some effort into maintaining a good relationship with a client who may decide to make another visit. I found this to be the case in many service establishments in Dubai. Except that for massage centers in particular, I think they should pay more attention to their friendliness and behavior with their clients if they wanted to retain them and grow their business. Maybe they could train their staff on customer service or any other related courses.

But I will leave the decision for you ladies to make. If you have tried Zen Asia Spa before, what did you think? what services did you try? which branch did you visit?

If you haven’t then I would recommend it as an option if you live in the JLT area, and would like to go for a massage but are tight on time.

After all, I am called the Rebellious Saudi Diva 😉