Sofitel Spa takes up the second floor of Sofitel Dubai Downtown, the twin-tower hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road at the edge of Downtown Dubai. The space is compact but complete: eight treatment rooms, a dedicated couples room, and a thermal area with a dry sauna, a steam room and a hammam. The menu leans on French brand Elemis for facials, while the massage list is broad enough to suit most needs, from a gentle Swedish or Balinese session to Thai, deep tissue and magnesium massage for sore muscles.

The house signature massage and a four-hands massage, where two therapists work in sync, sit at the top of the list, with hot stone, pre- and post-natal massage and foot reflexology also offered. The hammam side has two distinct rituals, a Moroccan Royal Hammam and a Turkish ceremony, and body scrubs such as orange blossom or coffee and magnesium can be added. Couples have their own journeys, some finishing with 30 minutes in a private jacuzzi. The spa also publishes packages pairing a signature massage with a scrub, hammam or facial at a reduced combined price. One practical advantage is the late closing: the spa is open every day until midnight, which suits evening visits after work or a day at Dubai Mall. Prices on the published menu include service charge, municipality fee and VAT.