Top Luxury Self-Care Experiences in Dubai
Luxury self-care in Dubai offers an unmatched blend of indulgence and sophistication. The city, known for its over-the-top lifestyle, has transformed in just a few decades from a small fishing village on the banks of Dubai Creek into a global hub of luxury. Dubai is home to iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, and Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool. It is also developing Dubai Square, a massive $2 billion (PS1.64bn) mall, set to be one of the largest in the world. Beauty mogul Huda Kattan knows the best spots for pampering in the city—from divine massages to crystal-studded shopping experiences. Below are some of her top Dubai choices for ultimate luxury self-care.
Huda Kattan is a beauty blogger, makeup artist, and entrepreneur. She was a finance professional before establishing the multi-billion-dollar cosmetics brand Huda Beauty. It is famous for its highly rated eyeshadow palettes and well-known products such as its Easy Blur foundation. She was named in The BBC’s 100 Women list. However, even when playing hard, Dubai doesn’t forget to care for itself. It was recently named the World’s Top Spa Destination in 2024 in the World Spa Awards.
To understand the underlying issues of this growing self-care capital, we spoke with makeup artist turned-beauty entrepreneur Huda Kattan, who has called Dubai her home since 2008.
For Kattan, who was raised in America, United States, but lived in the UAE for two years as a young person, the move from the United States to Dubai was a way to return home. “It’s an extremely fast-paced, multicultural environment,” says Kattan, who is constantly across the globe to a job as chief executive officer and founder of Huda Beauty cosmetics. “It’s probably one of the fastest-moving [cities] I’ve ever seen. New York is way too slow when I go to New York.”
Kattan, the brand’s headquarters in Dubai, is a fan of the spa when she’s bored. “[It’s] the best,” she claims. “It’s about going to the spas, enjoying the massages, doing the hammams, and getting facials. It’s about investing in yourself for sure.”Dubai’s place in the beauty industry is growing. Dior launched their first Spa in Dubai in 2024. The 5-star Jumeirah Marsa al Arab hotel, with its three-story spa, is set to be open by 2025. “Dubai is getting much more credibility in beauty,” Kattan adds. Kattan. “Big celebrities ask me, ‘What is happening in Dubai? What are all the treatments that people are doing?'”
Self-care in Dubai isn’t limited to spa treatments. Its glitzy stores are an effective shopping treatment, and its breathtaking views of the coast revitalize the body, mind, and soul.
Here are Kattan’s favourite ways to indulge in self-care in Dubai.
1.Top Luxury Self-Care Spas in Dubai
Kattan was the first to experience a massage in Dubai sixteen years ago and immediately fell in love with it. “I’d never had a massage until I moved here,” she claims. When I got my first massage, I fell asleep and was snoring and slobbering. I was like, ‘What is this? This is the best experience of my life. ‘I now have them regularly.”
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Guests will find an experience to suit any budget, from luxury spas to mobile massages at home. Kattan is a big fan of both. She says people who want to spend more will not be disappointed by spa treatments at the Guerlain Spa at the One&Only The Palm hotel, located at the southeastern tip of the artificial Palm Jumeirah island. Its Guerlain Spa features a leafy Arabic courtyard adorned with grand fountains, a marble lobby, and its very own Guerlain boutique. Kattan was in awe when she first opened the doors. “[It’s] like a movie. It’s amazing,” Kattan says.
Kattan generally opts for a deep-tissue massage, while her spouse, Portuguese businessman Christopher Goncalo, likes the Thai massage method. Kattan admits that she used to appreciate Swedish massages; however, now she prefers an exercise massage. “I don’t even want the relaxation anymore. I want them to work me out,” she says.
Website: https://www.guerlain.com/ae/en-ae/guerlain-spa-one-and-only-the-palm-dubai.html
Address: One&Only The Palm West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Phone: +971 4 440 1040
Instagram: @guerlain/
2. Experience Luxury Self-Care in Dubai at Talise Ottoman Spa
Hammams – public bathhouses with steam were an integral part of Middle Eastern culture as early as the 7th Century and served as a place to clean off desert sand and a social space.
Modern plumbing is now available and cleaned; the feeling of getting cleaned in a spa filled with steam remains an essential part of the Middle Eastern spa experience.
Kattan suggests her Talise Ottoman Spa in The West Crescent of The Palm. “I went on my birthday. It was just the best experience,” she claims.
The Talise Ottoman Spa’s cleansing occurs in a marble-domed room decorated with mosaics. Customers lie on a heated marble bed to get their skin cleansed using a kese glove and refreshed with a mint, honey, and lavender mask or made from gold or purifying rose.
In the evening, guests can lounge at one of some of the privacy Majlis (cabanas) surrounded by an outdoor pool illuminated by a sparkling chandelier. “You sit there, and they bring you a yogurt drink, dates and apricots,” Kattan explains. Kattan. “I was, like, I’m sure I’m in the 1600s, and I’m a princess.”
Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-zabeel-saray/wellbeing/signature-talise-ottoman-spa
Address: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, West Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Phone: +971 4 453 0455
Instagram: @jumeirah
3. The best sensory experience: Arabic perfume
To delight your senses, Kattan enjoys visiting perfume stores.
Bedouins have been crafting captivating scents such as heady oud made of resinous woods and natural frankincense made from Gum of the Boswellia tree for thousands of years. “Abdul Samad Al Qurashi is, I think, the most luxurious, and they do gorgeous fragrances,” says Kattan of the storied Saudi Arabian fragrance house, which has been recognized for creating exquisite scents since 1852. “And Ajmal has an amazing store located in Dubai Mall. Also, there’s Hind al Oud. “Fragrance is a major element of the world of culture.”
However, Kattan states people don’t have to spend much on costly perfumes. Instead, they can seek out lesser-known brands. “You can go to the souqs and buy little ones,” she added. “They’re not necessarily ones you want to wear daily, but [the bottles are] cute trinkets. I would go to the souqs and buy the oils [and] ouds and have [those] on my dresser.”
Emiratis like layering their perfume by putting the base of oils applied to the points of pulse, spraying fragrance on the body, and finally taking in the aroma of bakhoor incense, which is made of wood chips soaked in aromatic oils. “They put their abaya (robe) on [the bakhoor]. Sometimes their hair will just take a little smoke, and it’s quite beautiful,” Kattan says. Kattan. “I’ve experienced it. It’s amazing.”
Website: https://en-ae.ajmal.com/
The address: Ajmal Perfume, first floor, Dubai Mall
Phone: +971-4-457-4111
Instagram: @ajmalperfumes
4. The best for luxury and sparkle: OOAKSTONES
Dubai is known worldwide as a top destination for high-end jewelry at tax-free rates. However, when Kattan is in the market for something dazzling, she spends her money on sparkling crystals.
“I have crystals everywhere. I’m a big crystal person,” says Kattan, who loves putting them on the windowsills and in bowls around her house in Dubai. Many glitzy and glamorous crystal stores are scattered around the city; Kattan has a favorite: “There’s one crystal store called OOAKSTONES (One Of A Kind stones).”
In Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue arts district, OOAKSTONES has an extensive selection of crystals. They range from jewelry made by hand and statement pieces to furniture.
Kattan says that in Dubai, crystals can cost about one-tenth of the cost you might pay elsewhere, and tourists should incorporate crystal shopping into their itinerary. “It’s overwhelming and it’s amazing and if you’re coming to the Middle East [it’s something] you should do,” Kattan says. Kattan.
Website: https://ooakstones.com/
Address: Warehouse 20 (Inside Kave), Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Phone: +971 52 481 6700
Instagram: @ooakstones
5. The best place to relax outdoors SAL beach club
The range of options is vast, from diving-in theaters with air-conditioned cabanas loungers that are adorned with fashion brands the Dubai beach bars are a genuinely elegant event.
Kattan’s preferred beach destination can be found at “SAL” located on the rooftop of the 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel, which overlooks the Persian Gulf. “It has a beautiful and calm setting with an amazing view. [It’s the] perfect [place] to relax for the day,” she says.
SAL is open all year round and is open all year round, but Dubai’s beach clubs are the most popular during cool winter months. The chic oasis boasts an incredible infinity pool. It hosts the brand new Sunset Lounge which is a stylish place with stunning mirrored walls. The guests can lounge on the pool’s submerged loungers or tuck into one of the air-conditioned private cabanas with private balconies, as well as ensuite bathrooms. SAL also offers several poolside dining menus, with treats ranging from chilled starters and Mediterranean-inspired seafood dishes to decadent desserts, as well as a luxe cocktail list and full shisha bar. The complimentary ice-cold drinks and gazpacho shots provide some whimsy the gorgeous sunsets on the Gulf as well as summertime guests are invited to stay until sunset to swim under the stars.
Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/burj-al-arab-jumeirah/dining/burj-al-arab-sal
Address: Ground Mezzanine Floor, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Street, Dubai
Phone: +971 800 323232
Instagram: @sal_burjalarab
6. Top for high-tech face treatments. Lucia Aesthetic Dermatology Clinic
The exclusive neighborhood of Jumeirah is the home of Lucia Aesthetic Dermatology Clinic established by world-renowned dermatologist Dr Radmila Lukian. With her watchful eye the clinic has grown into one of the most prestigious centers for aesthetic medicine, including celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Eva Longoria and Lindsay Lohan as loyal clients.
The menu of treatments offered by the clinic includes everything from the Express Facial – which has revitalized clients leaving the building in only 30 minutes – up to a 75-minute minimally invasive Hydrafacial created to improve the appearance of pores and hydrate the skin with antioxidants. “I have been going there for a few years now, but they are definitely my favourite clinic. They’re magical,” says Kattan. “I don’t go exclusively to Lucia, but, but they’re definitely the best.”
Website: https://luciaclinic.com/
Address: Jumeirah 2 Jumeirah Beach Road, Villa 323, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 43 854 525
Instagram: @luciaclinic/
Source: BBC