From the luxurious to the sublime, spas in Abu Dhabi are next level glam. Dedicated therapists offer consultations on everything from skin to wellness, and most spas look at treating body and mind as one. As such, they’re big into relaxation and put a lot of effort into the surroundings, resulting in peaceful and pretty spas where your shoulders instantly relax on entry.
Prices can be steep, but there are budget options available and you don’t have to sacrifice the experience to get a good deal (look out for offers including couples’ treatments and spa days). These are the best spas in Abu Dhabi.
Four Seasons Spa Abu Dhabi
This spa is pure indulgence from the minute you arrive – the treatments are the stars of the show and the service goes above and beyond. Among the myriad therapies on offer are the Jet-lag Rescue (perfect if you’ve just arrived in Abu Dhabi off a long-haul flight) and the Pearl Spa Experience, which is so good the spa describes it as a journey (there’s a foot massage, exfoliation, hair and body mask – it’s dreamy). We’re also big fans of the Memories of Arabia ritual, which features camel milk and honey oils. The surrounds are classic Arabian spa – plenty of carved wood panelling, pretty tiles and ornamental touches. It’s an easy place to lose a day (or two).
Sofitel Spa Abu Dhabi
Check in for a Balinese massage at the Sofitel Spa and feel your aching muscles soften. All of the massages here are exceptional, but we’d recommend a combo of a massage and the hammam experience to get the most out of your visit. You can go for a traditional hammam ritual or pick a Turkish or foaming bath if you have a little less time to spend. The staff are experts, and will happily recommend treatments if you’re unsure what you need. The decor here is pretty standard, but who cares when the treatments are this good.
Spa at the St Regis Abu Dhabi
Oh my, the view. It’s a pretty special experience to sit and watch the sunset overlooking the Corniche and the Arabian Gulf while you luxuriate in a spa. At the St Regis, pretty relaxation beds come with a fantastic view, so after a treatment you can sip your iced water and gaze out over the horizon. The rest of the decor is plush and comfy, with hints of gold in the tiling, cushions and vases, and the treatment rooms are most relaxing. Settle in for a fancy facial – here you can bag an AHA illuminating treatment complete with a bio-cellulose mask - and leave looking ten years younger.
Sense, A Rosewood Spa
The Sense Spa at the Rosewood Hotel is wonderfully relaxing and quiet, no doubt due to the novel idea of limiting numbers, so you’re never competing for a spot in the jacuzzi or a comfy seat in reception. Everything here is considered and feels tailored towards the individual, from customised massages using custom oils for your specific needs, to the consultation you have with the therapist before your treatment. Yes, there are a couple of other people moving around the chic wood-clad spa, but it feels like the whole place is yours. We like the fusion therapy massages, which combine various techniques for a heavenly experience.
Chi Spa, Shangri-La
If you’re looking for a spa day for a special occasion (or just because you’re worth it), this is the place to come. Think beautiful decor that takes inspiration from the utopian legend of Shangri-La, with Asian and Arabic influences that spill into the myriad of treatments on offer – all carried out by incredibly experienced staff. We like the four-hour Arabian Desert Escape, which uses local ingredients in a head-to-toe package that includes a foot ritual, Arabic coffee scrub and deep-tissue massage.
Anantara Spa, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Enjoy a serene desert retreat at the Anantara Spa, set in the desert oasis of Qasr Al Sarab. Spa beds here overlook miles upon miles of picture-perfect sand dunes (there are even treatment beds outside in the desert if the temperature is pleasant enough). Enjoy the dedicated hammam area, as well as the sauna, jacuzzi, ice bath, and a wellness and meditation centre. You’ll also find couple and individual treatment areas, as well as a women-only area. If you have the time, book in for a multi-day stay and have a consultation with a wellness guru before plumping for the appropriate therapies for your mind and body. Indulgent but so worth it.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace
The spa at the Mandarin Oriental feels like stepping into an Arabian fairytale, complete with looming wooden arches, intricate traditional tiles and wood carvings, and beautiful hanging lanterns. Much like the rest of the Emirates Palace property, walking around the spa makes you feel like royalty, with attentive staff on hand to recommend treatments and cater to your needs. Choose from a line-up of aromatherapy massages and facials, but if you want a truly indulgent treatment that matches the surroundings, opt for a four-handed massage where two therapists work on untying those knotted muscles. Naturally, most treatments here are on the pricey side, but it is well worth the expense.
Zayna Spa
Set on the third floor of the Grand Millennium Hotel, Zayna Spa is a cosy and welcoming facility with peaceful ambient lighting in the corridors leading to treatment rooms, a smattering of greenery from leafy plants, and a gorgeous fragrance. The prices here are very reasonable (from AED 272 for a body scrub or AED 471 for a massage) and the therapists are friendly and professional. This spa also offers day packages and couples packages so you can book in for a good few hours of pampering without breaking the bank.
