MYSTERY SHOPPER
the visit THE OFFER
Te spa is spread over two floors – one for men and one for women – each featuring thalassotherapy pools, various heat expe- riences by Termarium, plus snow rooms, floatation tanks and hydrotherapy rooms. Tere are also three Turkish hammams. A fully equipped fitness centre and personal trainers complete the offer. In December, a Talise Couples Spa was
added to the mix. Built on a mezzanine level with a private entrance, the section is ded- icated to couples and includes a hammam, sauna, whirlpool and steamroom, as well as two couples suites with saunas, whirlpools, showers and majlis (lounge areas). Te spa menu had facials, massages, wraps
and rituals, but these weren’t incredibly innovative and there was no recognition of product houses (Aromatherapy Associates and Kerstin Florian). Te main signature treatments were the hammam experiences and my friend and I went for the 60-minute Royal Ottoman, which was acceptably priced at aed485 (us$132, €101, £85).
A map or good signage would help guests to navigate this huge spa THE BOOKING
Booking was a challenge as you can’t do it online and the phone kept ringing out. Aſter three days, I spoke to a very helpful spa assistant, Ahmad, who booked me in for that aſternoon. Occasionally in Dubai, cer- tain hotel spas cannot accommodate outside guests if occupancy is high, but with the spa being so large this wasn’t an issue.
LOCATION AND ACCESS
Tere’s no mistaking this stunning prop- erty that’s situated on the western crescent of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. Te spa was also initially easy to find and the entrance, a regal corridor leading to huge wooden doors, was
truly dramatic. Yet it was a long walk and one of trepidation as I wasn’t entirely sure I was on the right path. Te hammam and treatment rooms can be used by clients with disabilities, but I would imagine that the wet areas would be difficult to access.
DESIGN
Te spa is an architectural and interior décor delight and it’s easy to see why the market- ing material looks so good. It’s stunning in all areas and the hammam is particularly amazing. But the long walk to reception and feeling of being slightly lost is a recur- ring theme. A map (or a compass!) would be handy as signage is poor and instructions on how to best use the facility, especially the thermal area, would be useful. Te biggest shock was the design of the
The extremely narrow steps leading to the whirlpool could be a big health and safety hazard 64 Read Spa Business online
spabusiness.com / digital
changing rooms because there weren’t any private cubicles. Te UAE has a strict no- nudity policy and changing rooms are no exception to this. Two other ladies were also discussing this issue – both with us and between themselves – and without even a small space to discreetly hide away in, our only option was to change in the toilet.
SPA BUSINESS 1 2012 ©Cybertrek 2012
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