It felt like we were living in a buddy-comedy script. After weeks planning a whirlwind trip spanning five cities, four countries and three continents in seven days, my friend Banu Yilmaz and I insisted on finding time in Dubai to unwind. We booked massages at ShuiQi Spa at Atlantis, The Palm—three separate times—to make sure it happened.
Our first plan was to arrive Friday night and start Saturday morning at the spa. An airline change pushed our arrival to Saturday, so we rescheduled for Saturday evening. Or so we thought. After a full day of meetings and long travel, we arrived eager to decompress, only to discover our rescheduled appointment had been mistakenly set for the previous evening. A comedy of errors followed. Thankfully the spa staff helped us rebook, and three hours later we finally indulged in our treatments.
Atlantis, The Palm is an expansive resort with plenty to do while waiting for an appointment. The property offers more than 15 dining options, marine and water parks, family activities and nightlife, plus many event and meeting spaces. My guestroom’s best feature was a generous patio with skyline views of Dubai. The accommodation felt comfortable and spacious, with two beds, a desk, a TV stand and plenty of room to spread out. The bathroom was also notably generous, with two well-lit vanity areas that are practical for families or couples sharing one room.
ShuiQi Spa at Atlantis, The Palm is a serene place to unwind. Set over two floors, it features elegant tile work, high ceilings and soothing water elements. The spa’s philosophy emphasizes harmony between water and energy. Beyond the wet area, ShuiQi offers 27 treatment rooms, separate relaxation zones and changing rooms for men and women, and a fitness center. In partnership with Shiseido, the spa has curated distinctive treatments, and it also uses respected brands such as ESPA, Aromatherapy Associates, Bastien Gonzalez and Gentlemen’s Tonic.
Aromatherapy selections © ATLANTIS, THE PALM
We opted for the Aromatherapy Associates Jet Lag Recovery massage, timed perfectly for travelers. The spa menu also includes anti-aging, brightening and hydrating facials; specialty massages for relaxation and deeper muscle work; body treatments; express options; Bastien Gonzalez manicures and pedicures; a Men’s Collection; Medi-Spa procedures; and a full salon. Signature experiences range from 75 minutes to four hours and include Shiseido Japanese Ritual, Shiseido Face & Body Experience, Dubai Glamour Ritual, ESPA Back, Face, Scalp Treatment with Hot Stones, Bastien’s Duo Nail Treatment and Morning Wellness. A unique feature is the Spa Tasters menu—45-minute sampler treatments that let guests try offerings from premium brand partners. For example, the Shiseido Taster pairs a Future Solution LX facial with a rejuvenating hand exfoliation and massage; Aromatherapy Associates and ESPA tasters are also available.
Our 60-minute Jet Lag Recovery massage was exactly what we needed. After changing into soft robes, we parted ways for separate treatment rooms and surrendered to the therapies we’d been craving. The sequence began with a back massage, moved into focused lower leg work using Revive Body Gel, and finished with a scalp massage that I especially enjoyed. The Revive Body Gel contains grapefruit, rosemary and juniper essential oils to invigorate the skin, even texture, support healthy micro-circulation and help reduce water retention in concerns areas such as legs and abdomen.
My therapist, Sherylle, provided recommendations for home care products and offered a warming cup of tea as I waited for Banu to finish. When we reunited in the relaxation room, our expressions said it all: despite the earlier confusion, the experience had been well worth the wait. As one of the last appointments of the day, we didn’t linger long, but the calm lingered with us.
Timing has a way of sorting itself out, and in this case it did—the massages acted as a true antidote to jet lag and the day’s stresses. I returned to my room, crawled into bed and slept deeply. If only every long travel day could end that way.
SHUIQI SPA AT ATLANTIS, THE PALM
Crescent Road, The Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
tel 971 4 426 1020
atlantisthepalm.com