Nothing beats a long, indulgent session at a spa, especially when it comes to total body rejuvenation and some much-needed “me time.” While the list of spas in Dubai is seemingly endless, so when a player makes us sit up and take notice, you know it’s doing something special. And that’s exactly how we’d describe our spa experience at the ShuiQi Spa At Atlantis, The Palm. The spa has recently updated its menu, introducing new treatments in collaboration with Aromatherapy Associates, including four full-body experiences, bespoke facials, as well as unique treatments for expecting mothers.
Dreamy Decor
As I enter the Atlantis’ tower-topped, red-brick façade, I can easily admit that it is the stuff of my
Disney fairytale dreams. I walk by its iconic central arch, hinting at gateways to mythical kingdoms. Its wings extend to embrace gardens filled with butterflies, elaborate playgrounds, and a thundering waterfall- every corner a treat in itself. Much like that, the spa matches the property’s splendor and is actually calming and very understated. Heading to the treatment room across an over-stream walkway and relaxing in the large whirlpool afterward, I already feel like my stresses are drowned out. Safe to say that each spa’s luxurious 27 treatment rooms are designed with modern aesthetics to combine invigorating experiences with truly exquisite style, offering a range of exclusive treatments and traditional therapies that promote your wellbeing.
Sensory sessions
I was told that the term ‘Shui Qi’ translates as ‘water-energy.’ Naturally, all spa treatments concentrate on using water to induce deep relaxation and harmonize an individual’s inner balance with the surrounding environment. Brownie points to the spa for the well-known international brands for its treatments, such as ESPA, Shiseido, and Aromatherapy Associates.
I tried the Forest Therapy that follows the Japanese practice of SHINRIN-YOKU, spending time in nature for overall well-being. And boy, it was quite an indulgent head-to-toe spa journey! This 120-minute full body treatment uses evergreen oils and scents of Pink Pepper fruit, Juniper Berry and Mediterranean Cypress to reduce stress, lower heart rate, boost immunity and accelerate recovery. My experience started with a warm foot cleansing followed by a grounding box breathing body massage and cleansing mud treatment, along with a pressure point facial and clarity head massage.
In between light stretching and long, soothing strokes are little flick-like movements carried out by my therapist to ward off negative energy.
The treatment was the perfect balance of soft and hard pressure, relaxing and relieving my body of knots and tension. Weary limbs, aching backs, tired skin, and stressed minds have their salvation here. Absolutely magical and left me feeling like I had peeled off years of fatigue from my soul.
A cleansing mud treatment on my hands and legs feels rejuvenating to the core and leaves my skin supple and refreshed.
This was followed by a pressure point facial that was so gentle and soothing it honestly was our favorite part of the entire experience. The products used for my facial were Aromatherapy Associates. This included the classic cleansing, exfoliating, mask, serum, and massage but definitely sloughed-off layers of the dead skin and brought back my natural glow. A calming facial massage, expertly applied by the deft hands of my facialist, had me melting into the massage table.
After this, my therapist placed a steaming hot towel on my back (a Japanese discipline called o-shibori), which warmed my muscles; when removed, it woke me up with a rush of cold air. By the end of it, I found myself drifting effortlessly into an even more elevated state of total relaxation.
Verdict
From the soothing spa ambiance to touches like fresh juices and snacks like Black Truffle and Quinoa Chips, the spa definitely manages to tap into areas several great spas have failed to recognize and manages to tick all the right boxes with rather an aplomb. I haven’t felt this Zen after a treatment for a long time, which I think had a lot to do with the whole spa experience. The ShuiQi Spa is the perfect place to enjoy just a few more moments in heaven before returning to the real world. I leave the spa with an overdose of beauty flowing through me in a trance of sorts.
Note: The critic was hosted by the spa but all the opinions expressed herewith are her own.
Where: Atlantis, Crescent Road, The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai
Phone: (04) 426 1020
The Forest Therapy is priced at AED 1,095
