Wish upon a spa package

If celebrities prepare for Oscar night more than a month ahead by scheduling spa appointments — what are we waiting for, ladies?

The season may be at its peak, the kids may be running riot at home but Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) has the answer with the DSS spa promotions packages.

More than 20 participating spas have joined the annual extravaganza, designed to relax and rejuvenate while going easy on the bank balance.

tabloid! visited Cleopatra Spa at Wafi City. Sara Jones, spa manager, said: "The two DSS packages we offer have been extremely popular.

Everybody likes to be pampered but it's even better when you know you are saving money too."

And the smell alone made the package worthwhile — a lime and ginger salt glow first prepares the skin and removes any dead skin cells, followed by a skin specific facial and topped off with a rejuvenating aroma stones massage.

'Incredible'

Amanda Punnerton, 36, a mother-of-three from Dubai, said the package had taken her to a place she wasn't sure existed during the hot summer months.

She said: "Don't get me wrong, I love my kids but they are a handful and while it was only four hours away from them, I knew I had more patience when we were reunited."

Spa specialist Miki took Amanda through a relaxing package tailor-made for her skin type, tone and sensitivities.

Punnerton added: "It was like escaping to another world — one where I didn't have children, a husband, two cats, a hamster and four goldfish. Wonderful."

Deals

With so many spas offering special DSS deals, there should be something to suit every need, budget and location. We bring you a comprehensive guide to what's available in the final 10 days of DSS.

Al Asalla Spa, Dubai Ladies Club
A full day package — Dh515 — includes full use of beach and swimming pool facilities, spa water treatment area with jacuzzi, sauna and fragranced showers, lunch and an end-of-day aromatherapy body massage.

Akaru Spa, Al Garhoud
Summer Surprises package 1:
Rebalancing marine facial
Head pressure-point massage
Hot stone body massage

Summer Surprises package 2:
Seaweed body wrap
Aromatic detox body massage
Aqua-detox session

Angsana Spa, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Marina
Enjoy a complimentary 30-minute body polish with a purchase of a 120-minute massage session. Offer valid from Sunday to Wednesday until August 31.

Bodylines Health and Fitness Club, Towers Rotana
Optimum relaxation (Dh700) for four hours includes full body massage, facial treatment, body wrap and a Moroccan scrub.

Elixir Spa, Dubai Marina
Package one: 150 mins, Dh730. Includes Phem Palang energising body massage and the pore dew.

Package two: 80 mins, Dh420, with rasul mud and Elixir therapeutic massage.

Both packages include use of the steam, sauna and relaxation facilities.

The Haven Depilex, Jumeirah
Buy a Haven privilege card for discounts.
For Dh2,000, receive 25 blow drys (20 per cent saving).
For Dh2,400, receive 25 wash and blow dry packages (20 per cent saving).

Get 12 per cent off 12 facial sessions: Dh2,600 instead of Dh3,000.

Get two free massages for every 10 massage sessions (any kind).

Karisma Ladies Centre, Bur Dubai
Orchid Spa packages include aromatherapy packages, Dh850; Swedish massage package, Dh850; Thai massage package, Dh850; or an international massage package, Dh850.

Orchid and Laylak salon packages
Moroccan bath, Swedish massage, hair wash and dry, Dh500.
Moroccan bath, full aroma massage, hair wash and dry, Dh500.
Moroccan bath, Thai massage, hair wash and dry, Dh500.
The above packages come with lunch for two people.

Murjan Coral Signature Spa, Shaikh Zayed Road
Escape (Dh400): Swedish massage, body scrub, mani-pedi and free marine algae bath.
Unwind (Dh550): Aromatherapy massage, classic skin care treatment, body scrub plus free manicure.
Indulge (Dh610): Reflexology, coral foot and leg treatment, body scrub, Shirodara Indian head massage plus free cleansing facial.

Shapes Weight-Loss Club and Health Spa, Jumeirah
Package 1: Summer Detox Special includes one free luxury facial or body treatment, complete compatibility test, analysis and five-day detox diet. One or two visits required.

Package 2: Shapes Anti-Cellulite for Dh1,275. Four visits required.

Package 3: Health Spa for the Back. Dh1,000. Five visits required.

Sole Senses Spa, Jumeirah
DSS Clarins package (3 hours) includes Clarins Lavender fruit salt body scrub, replenishing detox body wrap, Clarins face work and back, neck and shoulder massage.
The package, priced Dh700, includes complimentary use of the beach, pool, steam and sauna on the day.

The Spa, at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Jebel Ali
DSS package for Dh850 with Tri-enzyme facial (60 mins), exotic exfoliation (30 mins) and stress-a-way massage (30 mins).

Package clients are entitled to use the spa facilities including fragranced steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. Herbal tea and fresh fruit included. The package includes free use of the resort, private beach and pools.

The Spa, Shangri-La
Revitalising essential wrap and an aroma vitality massage for Dh555.

The wrap is a 60-minute treatment which uses the ancient ingredient benzoin. Lemon oils and therapeutic white clay, aids the body tissue and draws out impurities.

Aroma Vitality is a gentle and soothing 90-minute massage bringing together elements of Swedish and Shiatsu massage, and reflexology combined with the therapeutic qualities of oriental aromatic essential oils.

Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah
The Summer Essential package (Dh555) includes an 80-minute coral blush aromatherapy facial or an 80-minute finger print massage and a three-course meal at the Magnolia restaurant. Normal package price is Dh740.

The Summer Escape package (Dh1035) includes a Talise signature fingerprint massage and a facial, both lasting 80 minutes each and tailored to your needs. Complete the experience with a three-course meal at Magnolia. Normal package price is Dh1,380.

Zaitoon Wellness Spa, Bur Dubai
Royal honey almond scrub (45 mins), relaxing massage (30 mins) and deep skin cleansing (45 mins), Dh450.

Sensasia Urban Spa, Jumeirah
This urban spa has launched its SensaPass, a scheme to earn free spa treatments.

Until September 15, every time you enjoy a treatment in any one of the seven individually-themed rooms, you will receive a stamp in your personalised SensaPass. For every four treatments accumulated, you receive one free treatment and one free signature gift.

The Ritz Carlton, Dubai
Majestic Arabian Rituals (210 mins)
Mint couscous and ginger labneh scrub.
Cleopatra's milk bath.
Arabian spice massage.
Henna painting on your hands or feet.
Package is priced at Dh1,500.

Cleopatra Spa, Wafi City
The Elemis Sensation package (4 hours)is priced at Dh850 during DSS. It includes:
Skin-specific facial.
Lime and ginger salt glow.
Aroma stone massage.

Cleopatra's Fruity Selection package, DSS price Dh777, includes:
O'lys fruit enzyme facial.
Sweet Thai lemongrass Balinese treatment
Spa pedicure

Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Hotel
Each package below includes an outdoor rain-shower and an aromatherapy massage. For these two features alone, opt for the Revive (45 mins) at Dh395.

Refresh: (90 mins) Dh540
Aromatherapy body polish.

Summer Indulgence: (120 mins) Dh700
Aromatherapy body polish.
Anne Semonin Phyto aromatic facial

Shiffa: organic bliss for couples (120 mins) Dh750 per person
Luxury body scrub or polish.
Invigorating scalp massage.
Luxury facial