5 of the best budget spas in Dubai to book this long weekend
Long weekend coming up? A spa day is always a good idea – but not every reset needs a four-digit receipt. Dubai is no stranger to big, glossy spas, but there's a quieter corner of Dubai's wellness scene – one where you still get that luxury feel and great service in calming spaces that look and feel premium without the premium bill. Here are five of the best budget spas in Dubai, perfect for your long‑weekend unwind. Anantara Spa, The Palm
Clean, elegant and peaceful, Anantara sits on the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah. With one of the most exclusive addresses in the world, Anantara Spa offers only the finest treatments, from ancient to modern, Asian to Arabian, relaxing to therapeutic. Thai-inspired touches, overwater treatment rooms and soft, earthy interiors give it that out-of-town feel.
Location: Anantara Spa, Anantara The Palm
Offer: Dhs 350 for a 30-min back massage massage, or 60-min signature massage for Dhs680
Times: Daily 10 am to 10 pm
Contact: (0)4 567 8140 · anantara.com Eforea Spa, Hilton Palm Jumeirah
Modern, light-filled and steps from the beach. a relaxed setting with solid treatments and easy access to pool and sea. Some of the signature treatments include massages, facial and body therapies. Signature to eforea spa is the journey enhancements, powerful mini treatments that are added to your existing services or enjoyed by themselves. These treatments have been specially designed for eforea, with techniques from different spa cultures around the world.
Location: eforea Spa, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Offer: Dhs 650 for 60 min massage, pool & beach access + Dhs 250 F&B credit
Times: Mon–Fri 9 am–10 pm; Sat–Sun 10 am–11 pm
Contact: (0)4 230 0090 · hilton.com ReFIVE Spa, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Stylish seaside retreat with massaging beds by the beach. ReFIVE Spa, located at FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai, is a serene oasis offering bespoke wellness treatments and indulgent relaxation packages. Winner of the World Luxury Spa Awards 2024, ReFIVE sets the standard for luxury and rejuvenation in the heart of Dubai.
Location: ReFIVE Spa, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Offer: Dhs655 for a 60‑min stress relief massage
Times: Mon–Thu 10 am–10 pm; Fri–Sun 10 am–midnight
Contact: (0)4 455 9964 · fivehotelsandresorts.com Natureland Spa, Rixos Premium JBR
An Award-Winning luxurious spa with a stylish atmosphere that provides a variety of treatments including a Turkish bath, massages and facial care. Spacious, Middle Eastern‑style décor with an old-world feel and quality hammam services under a more approachable price tag – plus, the spa is known for its breathtaking views.
Location: Natureland Spa, Rixos Premium JBR
Offer: Dhs599 for 60-min traditional Turkish hammam; 60-min Aroma Therapy massage for Dhs699
Times: Daily 9 am–11 pm
Contact: (0) 4 432 8888. naturelifespa.com Pause Spa, Paramount Hotel Business Bay
PAUSE Spa Château Berger is a serene and tranquil escape where luxury meets rejuvenation. Winner of Marketing Campaign of the Year and City Hotel Spa of the Year, the spa sets the stage for an indulgent wellness experience. Here you can sink into a jacuzzi, unwind with an aromatic massage, or get your 'Hollywood glow' on with a rejuvenating facial. Minimalist and calm but feels premium.
Location: Pause Spa, Paramount Hotel, Business Bay
Offer: 60-min massage treatment starting at Dhs425; facial treatments starting at Dhs 300, and body treatments starting at Dhs280
Times: Daily 10 am–10 pm
Contact: (0)4 246 6750 · paramounthotelsdubai.com
Images: Official websites/Instagram
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Gulf Today
14 hours ago
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Sri Lanka's cities have that frenetic, cheerful chaos common to Asian cities, whether it's Colombo's colonial grandeur or Kandy's exalted lakeside lifestyle. Either way, the coast's serenity is never far, with some of the finest beaches in the world ready to embrace you: champagne-coloured sand, palms in regal repose, and the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. Best time to go It depends on what you're looking for. Thanks to its dual monsoon pattern, December-April tends to be best for beaches and wildlife excursions on the south and west of the island, while the dry months of May-September unlock access to the north and east. Each side has its pick of stunning locations, and if you want to see both (without getting drenched) then September-October and April are the shoulder seasons for you, offering cooler temperatures, fewer tourists and excellent hiking opportunities. 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Go in the evening to witness the prayers and the candlelight. Further along the train line is Ella, where the British plantation owners once resided, and home to Ella Rock, whose summit is a challenging but reasonable hike (three-four hours). Galle Whitewashed, manicured, and orderly, Galle feels like a prestigious Mediterranean seaside resort. No wonder: it was founded by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch. Galle's architecture and atmosphere have a distinctly European feel, from the prim and proper lighthouse to the austere Protestant churches. Gone are the laid-back surfer vibes of Weligama and Marisa, replaced by well-to-do couples, fashionable boutiques, and candlelit dinners. Explore the well-preserved fort by daylight before taking a stroll down the tranquil lanes and avenues of the town itself. The seafood food is spectacular, the bars plentiful, and the nights balmy and untroubled. Just don't expect much nightlife. People walk along a road in the Dutch Fort, in Galle, Sri Lanka. Reuters Colombo Crowded, frenetic, and choked up, Colombo used to be dismissed as merely the place from which to fly in and out. But Colombo has history, culture and excellent food. If you're keen on colonial history, the city boasts some of the best-preserved architecture from anywhere in the former British Empire. If not, there are plenty of temples, museums, and shrines besides. Hop on a tuk-tuk and explore an anthology of Sri Lanka's past: the mind-melting stripes of Jami Ul-Alfar mosque; the statues of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist temple; and St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic church illuminated at night. Gathering these cultural riches is the Colombo National Museum, the biggest in Sri Lanka and featuring over 100,000 artefacts. Anuradhapura and Sigiriya The ancient city of Anuradhapura was abandoned in the 13th century, and was overgrown by jungle until the 19th century. Since then, it has flourished as a site for both Buddhist pilgrims and tourists, who flock to see the shrines and relics. One of the most visited is a sacred pipal tree, planted in 245BC from a cutting of the Bo tree, under which it's said the Buddha attained enlightenment. It's recognised as the oldest cultivated tree in the world. Even more iconic are the Dagobas, the wide-domed Buddhist temples that dominate the city. Ruwanwelisaya, the oldest and the grandest, can get crowded. Instead, go wherever the ceremonies are taking place. Outside of the city lies Mihintale, a hilltop where the first Buddhist monastery is said to have converted a Sri Lankan king and his hunting party. The view from the peak of the hills is spectacular, but go at sunrise rather than sunset, or prepare to huddle among couples. Just over an hour away is Sigiriya, a rock formation featuring an ancient fortress. It's another Unesco site, and possibly the single most popular attraction in the country. Although entry is a little pricey (£25 for foreign visitors), it's worth it. You'll see ancient frescoes, the centuries-old Mirror Wall, and the enormous - scarcely-believable - lion's paws guarding the summit (the remains of what was originally a towering stone lion). It's 350-odd metres to the summit, so wear your exercise gear and prepare to sweat. Arugam Bay and Kumana National Park Sri Lanka isn't short of beaches. The crescent-moon sands of Arugam Bay are among the best. While Weligama, Mirissa, and Hikkaduwa have more of a party vibe, Arugam Bay's tranquil beauty is better suited to relaxing. Pitched on the unspoilt east coast, the waves are best between May and October - when the rest of Sri Lanka is beset by monsoon rains and ocean currents. Arugam Bay's thatched huts and sleepy shoreline is one of the finest places to get away from it all. The waves at Main Point are some of the best in Sri Lanka. When you're ready to explore again, hail a tuk-tuk and head to Kumana National Park. Unlike Yala, its famous neighbour, Kumana National Park retains much more of its wilderness - less zoo, more sanctuary. It's especially good for bird spotting, with hundreds of species nesting there. A guide is included with entry, which means you can't tour the park alone, but they're such good spotters that it makes for a much better experience. The waves at Main Point are some of the best in Sri Lanka. Reuters Best things to do Take the train deep into the tea plantations Whatever else you get up to in Sri Lanka, make absolutely sure that you take the Main Line train from Colombo to Kandy, and then from Kandy all the way to Ella. It takes eight hours or more, but this is one of those journeys that's worth savouring. The train climbs inland from the coast, cutting through rock, farmland and jungle. You'll travel across mountains veiled in mist, hillsides carpeted with tea leaves, and imposing brick-arched bridges from another era. If you fancy a cocktail and a party, stay on until at Ella; if you want a cup of tea and tranquillity, get off at Nuwara Eliyah. Get a taste of the surf culture Surfing can be tough, physically draining, and utterly, blissfully exhausting. Getting on a board is daunting, especially when surrounded by confident surfers strutting about, so find a school that's right for you. Although Weligama is the surf hotspot, there are less crowded (and much prettier) places to learn all along the south coast, such as Mirissa, Ahangama, or Unawatuna, which are also great for beginners. While you can surf just for the day, it takes some getting used to, so if you have the time check into a surf camp for a few days. Plunging into the sea every morning, feeling the pump and force of the waves, and collapsing on the sands in happy fatigue afterwards is a rewarding, nourishing, and vital experience - especially if you combine it with some yoga. Plus, there is no appetite quite like the one worked up on a surfboard, so when you finally sit down for your coconut curry it'll taste even better. Get a taste of the surf culture. Reuters Get up close to wildlife Many conservation projects in Sri Lanka are preserving wildlife sustainably while also giving you unparalleled access. Since the early 1990s, numbers of elephants, leopards, and other endangered species have risen considerably, and sustainable tourism has helped. The Smithsonian Primate Research Station, near Polonnaruwa, is the oldest of its kind in the world and Bundala's flamingo-filled wetlands are a Unesco biosphere reserve. The safaris in the national parks - Wilpattu, Udawalawe, and Wasgamuwa - rival almost anything in Africa. Getting around Travelling by train isn't just convenient, it's also a quintessential journey through Sri Lanka's history and a window unto its landscapes, and is also very cheap. For short journeys, it has to be tuk-tuk. Individually decorated, stubbornly persistent and formidably cheap, travelling by tuk-tuk quickly becomes addictive. It's not always comfortable, especially if you squeeze three or more into the backseat, but it's a great way to chat to locals and get the wind in your hair. Agree the fee in advance, especially in tourist areas, but remember the country has just come off suffering from a fuel crisis - if you can afford to fork out an extra hundred rupees, do it. Otherwise, when you need that 6am ride to the airport or that drive down from the mountains to the coast, book a taxi. Many tuk-tuk drivers also have cars, so ask ahead about a taxi service. Roads are generally well maintained and safe, but driving can be erratic. How to get there Sri Lankan Airways offer direct flights between London and Colombo. Other airlines offer stopovers, often in Doha or Dubai. Money-saving tip Travel and food are cheap in Sri Lanka, but accommodation is comparatively expensive. Alcohol is pricey, too - this is a conservative island, and the drinking culture is much less raucous here than in the rest of south-east Asia. There's no real hostel culture either, so the best value are the guesthouses, which are often family-run and very friendly. If you want the full-on luxury experience, Sri Lanka offers an enviable abundance of Western opulence - at Western prices, so book in advance. Tipping isn't expected, but haggling very much is. Friendly negotiation is part of the transaction here, so get stuck in. Current travel restrictions and entry requirements The Department of Immigration and Emigration has a online embarkation form. Foreign nationals can complete the online form three days prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. The service is free of charge. All visitors are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka; you can apply for on the ETA website. As entry requirements are liable to change, check the UK's Foreign Office's travel advice website before any travel for updates. Photo used for an illustrative purpose. AP What's the weather like? Thanks to its ocean winds, Sri Lanka is tropical and enjoyably warm most of the year round, with coastal temperatures averaging around 28C and upland areas averaging between 16-20C. The island experiences a dual monsoon, affecting one side of the island at a time. The south-western region and central highlands receive most of the island's rainfall, whilst the north and the east experience a distinct dry season from May to September. Take a jacket - the evenings can get chilly. What time zone is it in? Sri Lanka Standard Time, GMT+5:30 What currency do I need? The Sri Lankan rupee. You can get hold of these before travel, or you can exchange or withdraw some after arrival. Exchanging at the airport will be more expensive, but it's also a reliable 247 service and a good place to set yourself up for the next few days. Although card payments are growing increasingly popular, most small shops, local restaurants and markets still aren't set up for it, so make sure you always have cash on you. What language is spoken? The primary language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala, although in the north Tamil is widely spoken. You'll find English spoken by many, particularly as the language of commerce. What plug sockets are used? Types D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern; type G is what is used in the UK. The Independent
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