10 of the best spas in Dubai for ultimate luxury

There are many things we do well here in the UAE – year-round sunshine (admittedly not a man-made resource), hotels, diversity of cuisines – but one of the greatest, in our humble opinion, is the sheer amount of spas where you can get some incredible massages. From hotel spas to standalone boutiques, Dubai is awash with places where you can be scrubbed, kneaded and made baby-smooth with a wide range of treatments. Scroll through the gallery to see more pictures from the spas detailed below. But it's not just the massages and facials that spas here are renowned for; rather than just a nest of treatment rooms, most boast five-star facilities that can help you relax for hours upon end. Below, we round up some of the best spas in Dubai where you can while away a whole day. 1. Talise Spa, Jumeirah Al Qasr 2. Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Dubai 3. Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah 4. Spa, Address Boulevard 5. Talise Ottoman Spa, Zabeel Saray Hotel 6. Heavenly Spa, Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi 7. Timeless Spa, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa 8. Talise Spa, Burj Al Arab 9. Heart & Soul Spa, Al Barari 10. The Spa at Five, Five Palm Jumeirah This is a classic choice, perfect for spending a solo few hours or taking a long a friend for a treat. This Talise branch has more than 25 treatment rooms, some nestled outside via a short stroll through greenery and tranquil water features, as well as a Jacuzzi, ice-cold plunge pool, steam room and sauna and decadent dressing tables with hairdryers and toiletries. A key draw is the secluded outside swimming pool, which can be used by male and female spa guests, so you can catch up with your significant other over a relaxed lunch after your treatment. The treatments on offer are extensive; we recommend the 90-minute Balinese massage, which will work out any kinks or knots held in stressed-out backs. The biggest drawcard for this Dubai Creek spot is its sprawling pool, which you get access to when you enjoy a treatment at the hotel's spa. Sprawling yet lined with palm trees for a private, paradisaical island feel, you could curl up poolside for hours, reading the latest bestseller. Swimming aside, Amara's treatment room are serene and impressively spacious; try the age-defying cryotherapy facial, which promises to sculpt your face with a lymphatic-draining massage. The spa at this five-star spot is renowned for its luxurious hammam experiences, so start with one of these if you've never visited before. Alongside an extensive range of treatments, you can also revitalise in the aroma steam room, crystal and gemstone steam room, sauna, herbal bath, liquid sound pool, salt inhalation room and ice grotto (you can easily spend a few hours alone just hopping from spot to spot). Plus, each spa guest is entitled to use the hotel's Tuk Tuk Kids' Club, for two children between the ages of four and 12. There are several Address spas dotted around the city but at this one, you get access to an idyllic outdoor pool. The Spa at Address Boulevard also has saunas, steam rooms, an indoor vitality pool and experience showers to help extend your pampering session, as well as a fitness centre, so you don't need to relocate for a gym workout, either. When it comes to the treatments on offer, the got and cold shell massage is a must-try. This palatial, award-winning spa at the Jumeirah hotel is one of the most opulent in the city, with an indoor pool dripping in Arabesque decor. It boasts an impressive 42 treatment rooms, so you can visit with a group of friends without having to take it in turns for treatments, while the facilities include steam rooms, saunas, thalassotherapy pools and a magical snow room. Any treatment is worth a punt but, if you're feeling decadent, we recommend the Coffee Peeling Hammam. This Marina-side spot has everything you'd expect – a Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna – but it also offers affordable packages that include access to the hotel's pool and private beach. When it comes to what treatments to book, the facials, using British skincare brand Elemis, are a particular standout. If you can't quite stretch to a room at the remote hotel located right in the middle of the desert, then booking a spa treatment is the next best way to enjoy the resort's spectacular location. The menu is varied, while guests can also book a package that includes access to the picturesque infinity pool, which boasts view across the sand dunes, and spa facilities, without needing to book a treatment. Indoors, you'll find a hydrotherapy bath, sauna and steam room, cold plunge pool and Jacuzzi. Well, obviously the world-famous seven-star hotel would have a spa (and a price list) to match. With views across the Arabian Gulf, this Jumeirah location – spread over two floors – boasts an indoor pool that has views across the Dubai horizon, as well as Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools. When it comes to what treatment to try, the La Prairie facials sound particularly indulgent. One for splurge days or one-off treats. This wellness destination is a bit of an oasis in the city, nestled amid lush greenery. The treatment menu has a focus on pampering mind and body, with therapeutic massages, reflexology, facials and chakra balancing experiences. You'll also find an in-spa hair salon, for a top-to-toe finish, as well as the usual sauna and steam room. This spot, situated on the Palm Jumeirah, has a treatment menu with a few more unusual options than your usual; think cryotherapy and the option to have your massage on a quartz bed. The spa's most Instagram-worthy highlight, however, is the rooftop pool with hydrotherapy jets, where you can take a load off after a session with a beauty therapist.

10 of the best spas in Dubai for ultimate luxury

From those that offer pool access to ones with 'experience showers' and snow rooms, here are the spas to choose when you want something more than a quick massage