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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
For most of us, Dubai is a destination—and the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is the ultimate destination hotel. Just start with the property: As your car drives up to the entrance, you’ll find yourself at a rotunda, where you’ll follow a crystal-like ceiling installation inside. Hotel lobby culture is huge in Dubai, and this one was bumping with the city’s Sheiks, royal family, and general tastemakers at all hours of the day. Grab a latte and some macarons at the Pierre Herme store and sit in a chair if that’s your preferred mode of entertainment. There are also 11 restaurants onsite—cuisines include Indian, Chinese, Greek, and more—along with multiple pools and access to the beach. Consider it all a warm-up (or maybe a cool down) to go along with a day spent at The Talise Spa.
What’s the vibe?
Situated across three floors all connected by a shell-like spiral staircase, Talise Spa is a refuge from the fast cars and flashing lights that Dubai is known for. Every appointment begins with a bright pink ceremonial hibiscus tea known as karkade.
It seems minor, but don’t skip swapping your pedestrian clothing for the shearling-like robes and lounging in the baby-blue meditation room—it’ll get you the proper headspace to be kneaded and cleansed. Each spa room has one of two equally serene and stunning views: The Marina, where yachts casually await their owners, or the beach and sunny Burj Al Arab.
The history?
The Marsa Al Arab is part of the nautical trifecta of Jumierah properties—sister properties include the famed Burj al Arab, which is shaped like a sail and was one of the first ultra-luxury hotels built in the region (on a manmade island, no less), and Jumierah Beach, built in the shape of ocean waves. Think of the Burj al Arab as a leopard-print Fendi Baguette, the Beach as the woven Chloè basket bag, and the Marsa Al Arab as a Margaux bag from The Row. Marsa Al Arab takes its architectural inspiration from the yachts parked in the nearby harbor.
What should you try?
For most of us, Dubai is a substantial flight across the world—and Talise has treatments designed to mitigate the sore body and brutal jet lag you may be experiencing. Fresh off the plane, I spent an hour trying The Recovery Suite, a private apartment-like wing of the spa where a circuit of cryotherapy, red light bed, oxygen therapy, and far infrared is specifically designed to help. This isn’t a treatment for the claustrophobic, as it involves climbing into closet-sized machines for somewhere between three minutes (the cryotherapy chamber, situated at a hair-raising -238°F degrees) and 30 minutes (the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy bed, which will make your ears pop because of the low-pressure environment). I left the spa feeling tingly—and inspired to try out the AI-based Technogym Checkup, which uses a series of exercises and questions to assess your “Wellness Age.” I was graded “33,” slightly below my actual age. A win in my book.
For those who love a classic spa treatment, massages and facials are on the menu, too. A couple’s massage—which includes a foot bath and aromatherapy—bucks the tradition of going from top to bottom, instead working the body in complete halves (massaging head-shoulders-knees and toes style).
What else do we need to know?
Unsurprisingly, given that Islam is the predominant religion in the United Arab Emirates, there are accommodations for modesty, such as an entire floor that is women-only. There, those who cover their heads are able to remove the hijab if they wish. If you’re a guest of the hotel and have fallen under the spell of a Dubai Chocolate bar, don’t fret—the front desk can help you source a bar (or in my case, six) to take home. And I promise, they really are that good.
Who can go?
You do not need to be a guest of the hotel to visit the spa.
Booking details for Talise Spa at the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Address: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab - 4th floor - Jumeira St - Umm Suqeim 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
