A dream-worthy experience that had us pinching ourselves to make sure that we were really awake and fortunate enough to be staying at this magical oasis.

By Caroline Tapp-McDougall

Between the ancient desert, Palm Island Bay and the cosmopolitan charm of Dubai’s city skyscrapers, the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel sits discreetly amidst 65 acres of lush green lawns, courtyards and beautiful flower beds along a kilometre of private beachfront on the shores of the Gulf. Bedouin lore tells of a magical place of supreme hospitality and grandeur rising out of the sand, and it looks like we have found it here.

Peaceful retreat on the beach
Discreetly hidden but a few feet from a private beach, our two-bedroom, garden-terraced, residence is out of this world. Spacious bedrooms face the sea, rooms are separated by an arabesque-style lounge, and there is a dining room that’s perfect for entertainment. With the personalized service here, you simply snap your fingers and whatever you need comes running. Butlers often seem to anticipate our desires before we do.

Guests here come to Dubai from all over the world to stay in this magical place where the exquisitely appointed accommodations and their Gulf views set the scene. Palm-shaded pools, reflecting waters and cooling fountains heighten the sense of indulgence and well-mannered calm. For dining and relaxation, three distinctive environments flow seamlessly: the Palace, the  Arabian Court and the heralded Residence & Spa complex, where we head for the afternoon.

Not for the bashful
The winding corridors and dramatic arches of the Royal Mirage’s Oriental Hammam lead me to a central area, where my therapist quickly takes my wrap and sandals and almost orders me to sit down for the beginning of my well-being ritual.

A hammam, or an oriental steam bath, is a traditional oasis of steam that has long been part of public life in the Middle East; it’s where games were played, books were read and conversations shared. I can’t expect privacy here! While it’s women-only time in the Hammam, there are at least six other ladies like me being doused, scrubbed, massaged and purified. Officially, my treatment is described as a vigorous exfoliation beginning on the back, moving onto the face, neck, shoulder, chest, stomach, hips, legs and feet. In fact, every inch of my body is immodestly cleansed to perfection.

Next up, I find myself resting on a heated marble slab with a Moroccan masseur known as a Tellaka restoring my travel-weary muscles. Quite frankly, there’s little need to hurry back to the outside world, but dine alfresco I must.