When it comes to spas, we here in the Middle East tend to lean towards the more extravagant options out there. And often the luxurious surroundings and state of the art facilities more than make up for the odd below par service.
However the Petit Spa L’Occitane in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence has taken the opposite standing. Small, cosy and to the point, what the sample-size spa lacks in space it more than makes up for in quality of services. Whilst the usual aromatherapy and deep tissue full body massages are on offer, I was suffering from particularly stiff shoulders and upper back on the day of my visit (thank you social media), so my aptly named therapist, Zen, suggested that she focus solely on those areas to get rid the knots.
According to her, people who carry tension in the neck and shoulders can suffer from poor blood flow to the brain resulting in persistent migraines, clouded thought and chronic fatigue. Zen’s nimble fingers worked their magic for a full 45 minutes, gently working the knots out of my very sore muscles; I could literally feel them moving along my body. Whilst it wasn’t the most relaxing of experiences due to the fact that releasing muscle tension can be quite painful at times, it was truly one of the best massages I’ve ever had. As I got up off the massage bed, I felt lighter and my head was much clearer. I hadn’t felt so energised and fog-free in years.
If low-key surroundings are your thing and you’re looking for quality treatments and wonderfully skilled therapists, this quaint little neighbourhood spa is the one for you.
Details: The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, Tel: (+971) 4 4301556
Click through the gallery for a closer look inside.