The gentle reverberations of a gong sounding three times nudge me towards consciousness. My recumbent position on the soft treatment bed slowly changes to a seated one as Eju, my spa therapist, announces that my experience at Raffles The Palm Dubai’s Cinq Mondes Spa has come to an end. I am utterly relaxed.
Tucked away on the ground floor of the opulent five-star property on Palm Jumeirah’s western frond, Cinq Mondes Spa is truly a world away from Dubai’s heaving epicentre of hustle and bustle. The long wander from the hotel’s lobby that dazzles guests with its eight colossal columns of pink Rosa Portugal marble and a 40,000-crystal chandelier, is quite fitting for what lies ahead as the palatial corridors become more deserted, the closer I get to the spa. It’s almost as if I am walking away from my stresses and strains into a realm of peace.
Sprawling over 3,000 square metres and oozing French elegance, Cinq Mondes Spa knows how to make a first impression, with a generously lit, white hallway and marble floor—reminiscent of a catwalk—guiding guests to the entrance. Inside, the gargantuan space of whites, beiges and creams is put to good use with 23 treatment rooms, two private spa suites, VIP suites and two traditional Moroccan Hammams. There’s also an indoor pool, fully equipped gym and yoga studio should you wish to indulge in some physical activity before enjoying a spa session.
There are plenty of treatments that catch the eye including the Raffles’ signature of MLX Quartz Bed for Psammotherapy that sees guests bathed in sand as well as a selection of exotic scrubs and massages. For me, it’s a 60-minute Moroccan Hammam and the Ko Bi Do’ Lifting & Plumping Facial.
After a quick tour of the facilities which only emphasises the sheer vastness of the spa—the biggest in Dubai—I find myself in the Moroccan Hammam’s perfumed steam room, where my skin is being lathered in traditional Beldi black soap. Ten minutes pass by to enable the steam and soap to work their magic, before I am led to a cosy treatment room, where a marble hammam table awaits alongside gold hammam bowls and jugs. Here, a purifying Kessa Mitt is rubbed all over my body to exfoliate the skin and is followed by a Rhassoul clay body mask. For a first-timer, the hammam is a shock to the system, however, the results cannot be argued with as I leave with skin that is deeply cleansed and feeling refreshed.
Next, it’s time for my facial. I count 12 different products lying in wait beside the treatment bed which Eju explains are all natural and petrochemical free, and will help lift and tighten the skin, thus offering a more youthful look—good news for someone whose chosen vocation is journalism. It’s all rather pleasant and when the facemask is applied, Eju proceeds to offer me a sleep-inducing head and shoulder massage that takes my Zen to new levels.
The Cinq Mondes brand has become synonymous with beauty and wellbeing excellence around the world and the Raffles The Palm Dubai outpost is no exception. Thanks to its size, the venue beckons guests for returned visits to avail of all its luxury facilities. I for one will take up that offer and pencil in another session. Silky smooth relaxation awaits.
