We really do love uncovering hidden gems, and there are few things more secret when it comes to wellness in Dubai, than the newly opened spa at the Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre.

DHTC has long been a healing haven located in the middle of nowhere (read: somewhere beyond Za’beel), but recently reopened in a new avatar as a true wellness destination, going beyond offering a range of holistic practitioners to now being home to a new gluten-free restaurant (yes, we’ve tried it, and yes – it is amazing!) and luxurious spa, all housed in a revamped, enlarged swanky space. Sleek clean lines – almost Scandi-inspired in its minimalism – dominate the design, with splashes of green in the form of soothing art and furnishings adding a natural touch.

In spite of the remodel, this remains, however a wellness centre at heart, so the treatments are more geared towards healing than simply indulging – so, fewer frills, but a sharper focus on the quality of the treatments. The therapies, in line with the spa’s name, are targeted at ‘feeling’ – i.e: ‘Feel relaxed’; ‘Feel energized’; ‘Feel young’ (facial); ‘Feel tension dissolve’ and so on. The last one, in particular is a must for anyone looking for stress relief (and who isn’t?!), as I found out during my 90-minute session. While the massage incorporates deep tissue, Swedish, acupressure, stretching, and other energetic techniques, each treatment is tailored, so I had my therapist knead away at my troubled muscles, and ease out tension and aches I didn’t know I had, expertly – she really went above and beyond.
I left slightly wobbly-kneed (always a good sign when it comes to the spa!), which a restorative cup of herbal tea and a light snack of nuts in the relaxation room overlooking the Burj Khalifa helped with, allowing me to walk out feeling a lot more realigned with myself.
Yes, this spa is a hidden gem in more ways than one – not just for its excellent treatments, but for some stellar views too, which not many others can boast of!