Like many other expats one the main factors in my decision to move Dubai was the opportunity to save money, something that I found difficult to do back home in Scotland. But trying to find the right balance between saving and enjoying the Dubai lifestyle is an ongoing challenge.
With many expats and locals leaving Dubai to escape the summer heat the UAE hospitality industry has been offering amazing discounts on Dubai spa deals, luxury pool access, fitness classes and many other leisure activities in a bid to boost visitor numbers. My mailbox is inundated daily with emails from popular deal sites like Cobone and Groupon advertising the latest Dubai deals that are often too good to pass up.
Take my latest purchase, for example, a one hour treatment with pool access at The Burj Club for the bargain price of 325 AED (normal price 650 AED). Thanks to this Groupon deal, my friends and I had the amazing opportunity to experience, what is being billed as Dubai's most exclusive fitness, spa and wellness destination.
From the moment we arrived we were given the VIP treatment. We were welcomed by the Club’s friendly and attentive reception staff who checked us in before giving us a quick, but thorough tour of all the facilities including the outdoor and indoor pool areas, mixed and female-only gyms, and the pièce de résistance, the Spa.
With many expats and locals leaving Dubai to escape the summer heat the UAE hospitality industry has been offering amazing discounts on Dubai spa deals, luxury pool access, fitness classes and many other leisure activities in a bid to boost visitor numbers. My mailbox is inundated daily with emails from popular deal sites like Cobone and Groupon advertising the latest Dubai deals that are often too good to pass up.
Take my latest purchase, for example, a one hour treatment with pool access at The Burj Club for the bargain price of 325 AED (normal price 650 AED). Thanks to this Groupon deal, my friends and I had the amazing opportunity to experience, what is being billed as Dubai's most exclusive fitness, spa and wellness destination.
From the moment we arrived we were given the VIP treatment. We were welcomed by the Club’s friendly and attentive reception staff who checked us in before giving us a quick, but thorough tour of all the facilities including the outdoor and indoor pool areas, mixed and female-only gyms, and the pièce de résistance, the Spa.
Gym Facilities
The Burj Club has two gyms, one mixed and one for female members only. Both feature a wide selection of state-of-the-art equipment including treadmills, bikes, cross trainers, weights and some machines I've never seen before. At the time of our tour the gym was completely empty. I immediately regretted my decision to hit the gym earlier as I would have had the place to myself - there is always next time.
The Burj Club has two gyms, one mixed and one for female members only. Both feature a wide selection of state-of-the-art equipment including treadmills, bikes, cross trainers, weights and some machines I've never seen before. At the time of our tour the gym was completely empty. I immediately regretted my decision to hit the gym earlier as I would have had the place to myself - there is always next time.
The Pool & Juice Bar
Visitors have a choice of 2 spacious pools; indoors or outdoors. Feeling brave we decided to tolerate the Dubai heat to relax and unwind at the outdoor pool. On the day we visited we found the venue relatively quiet so we had no problems finding beds. After storing aware our belongings we decided to have a quick look around to take some photos before wandering over to the poolside bar to grab some refreshments. Underestimating the temperatures we ended up spending most of the in the pool – it was roasting.
Visitors have a choice of 2 spacious pools; indoors or outdoors. Feeling brave we decided to tolerate the Dubai heat to relax and unwind at the outdoor pool. On the day we visited we found the venue relatively quiet so we had no problems finding beds. After storing aware our belongings we decided to have a quick look around to take some photos before wandering over to the poolside bar to grab some refreshments. Underestimating the temperatures we ended up spending most of the in the pool – it was roasting.
The Spa
After a couple of hours relaxing by the pool it was time to hit the Spa in preparation for our treatments. Given the timings (2pm, 3:15pm & 4:30) I was the lucky one who had the opportunity to experience all the Spa has to offer including their sauna, steam room and experience showers.
I’ll be honest, I've never really been a huge fan of sauna's or steam rooms as I find them quick stuffy but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I really enjoyed the sauna experience at The Burj Club as I had to entire space to myself so was able to lie back, fully relax and let the menthol vapors cleanse my body.
After a couple of hours relaxing by the pool it was time to hit the Spa in preparation for our treatments. Given the timings (2pm, 3:15pm & 4:30) I was the lucky one who had the opportunity to experience all the Spa has to offer including their sauna, steam room and experience showers.
I’ll be honest, I've never really been a huge fan of sauna's or steam rooms as I find them quick stuffy but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I really enjoyed the sauna experience at The Burj Club as I had to entire space to myself so was able to lie back, fully relax and let the menthol vapors cleanse my body.
The Spa's experience showers (choice of 2) were unusual and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. As I stepped inside each cubicle I could see that I had a choice of sprays including tropical rain, cold rain, cold mist, Caribbean storm and Niagara rain complete with sound effects that are designed to relax your mind and refresh your body. Natural curiosity left me with no choice but to try them all. My favourite option was the tropical rain - when I closed my eyes I could almost imagine being in the midst of a tropical rain forest.
With time to kill before my treatment I took advantage of the Spa's fully serviced shower facilities before spending the rest of the time relaxing on one of the Spa's lounge chairs which offered stunning views over the Burj Lake, Dubal Mall and Souq Al Bahar.
With time to kill before my treatment I took advantage of the Spa's fully serviced shower facilities before spending the rest of the time relaxing on one of the Spa's lounge chairs which offered stunning views over the Burj Lake, Dubal Mall and Souq Al Bahar.
Around 10mins before my treatment was due to begin Ruth, my beauty therapist for the day, came to welcome me to the Spa and asked me to fill in a treatment questionnaire which included some basic medical questions so she could tailor the experience to my individual needs. I was also given a complimentary glass of cranberry juice, fruit skewer and cold towel to freshen up.
A short time later Ruth came back to collect me and lead to the treatment room where she provided me with a detailed explanation of the type of facial treatment she was recommending based on the information I provided earlier. Jumping up onto the treatment bed I was snugly engulfed in warm, heavy blankets with my legs elevated ready for my facial to begin.
I'm not overly experienced in having facials, I think I've only had 2-3 in my lifetime, including the one I had at the Senso Wellness Centre late last year, but I found the whole experience extremely enjoyable and very relaxing. Note to self for any future beauty treatments I might sign up for - go easy on the fluid intake prior to treatments as I spent the last 10-15mins of my facial uncomfortably squirming with an overwhelming need to relieve my bladder.
Our spa day at The Burj Club was phenomenal. As one of the most luxurious and extravagant experiences I've had in the whole 2 years I've lived in Dubai, hand over heart the best spa day in Dubai (so far). I can't wait for my next visit.
Pros
Cons
Location: Burj Khalifa, 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai Dubai
Website: www.theburjclub.com
A short time later Ruth came back to collect me and lead to the treatment room where she provided me with a detailed explanation of the type of facial treatment she was recommending based on the information I provided earlier. Jumping up onto the treatment bed I was snugly engulfed in warm, heavy blankets with my legs elevated ready for my facial to begin.
I'm not overly experienced in having facials, I think I've only had 2-3 in my lifetime, including the one I had at the Senso Wellness Centre late last year, but I found the whole experience extremely enjoyable and very relaxing. Note to self for any future beauty treatments I might sign up for - go easy on the fluid intake prior to treatments as I spent the last 10-15mins of my facial uncomfortably squirming with an overwhelming need to relieve my bladder.
Our spa day at The Burj Club was phenomenal. As one of the most luxurious and extravagant experiences I've had in the whole 2 years I've lived in Dubai, hand over heart the best spa day in Dubai (so far). I can't wait for my next visit.
Pros
- Breath-taking views
- Superb customer service
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Complimentary use towels, hair dryers, hair straighteners and basic toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant)
- Reasonably priced food and drink i.e. glass of fruit juice averages at 25 AED
Cons
- Unfortunately nothing lasts forever, the experience had to end
- Treatment rooms were not soundproof
Location: Burj Khalifa, 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai Dubai
Website: www.theburjclub.com