Dubai May 2014. The Public Beaches of Dubai and Indugence at The One & Only Royal Mirage Spa



When you tell people you are going to Dubai they ask about the beaches and the shopping.

The beaches, The Arabian Gulf is a beautiful part of the world, with emerald sea and white beaches, BUT many of the new hotel complexes that have been built as beach resorts in Dubai have resulted in much of the beach being off limits to the general public. over the next two days we visited Public Beaches. Starting with the beach close to the Burg El Arab, also know as The Kitesurfing Beach and Umm Suqeim Public Beach. This is such an iconic view of the Burg that many coach loads of tourists stop here for 'the photo', then move on.

The surf was high today and most people on the beach had rented surf boards from a surf shack further up the road and were out catching waves. There are changing rooms and toilets on this beach but no umbrella or sunbed rental. It was really windy and soon we were fed  up of being sand blasted so made our way to Dubai's newest public beach.



Public beach and Burg in Dubai

Public beach and sand Burg in Dubai

 The Walk at Jumeirah Beach has been open for a while, but it has been extended to include the beach. there are restaurants, shops, a new shopping mall, on open air cinema, it has seating in and out doors. New public bathrooms and changing facilities. A rubberised running track with exercise machines runs parallel to the sea. There is a large grassy area perfect for picnics, the beach as umbrellas to rent, I am unsure about sun beds. But best of all for children (or adults who haven't grown up!) there is a large inflatable obstacle course in the sea.
On the beach were these sand sculptures, they must have been there a while as some were quite eroded, but they were still really good.

Dubai in sand and real

Dubai

Dubai

The Walk Dubai

We went up to the One and Only Hotel to book a spa treatment for the next day and enjoyed sun downers on the beach then ate a South African Restaurant at the Habtoor Grand later.
The next day we spent the morning at a the Jumeirah Open Beach, this beach has changing rooms, toilets, showers, umbrellas and sunbeds to rent as well as a 1.8KM running track. It was really pleasant on this beach despite the view of the docks.
I love afternoon tea and was thrilled to hear that Fortnum and Mason have opened a store in the Dubai Mall. We went and indulged in Afternoon tea before going back to the spa  at the One & Only Royal Mirage. We had chosen this spa as it has a Hammam.We opted for the Signature Experience 'The Compete Oriental Experience'.

The Hammam at The One & Only Spa, Royal Mirage, Dubai

Firstly we arrived early and used the facilities, plunge pool, sauna and relaxation room. then we were escorted into the Hammam. Here we were cleansed with traditional Moroccan Black soap, it smelt of Eucalyptus. We waited in the steam room as the soap bubble up for about 20 mins. Then in the heart of the Hammam, on the marble slab our body's were vigorously scrubbed with a Loofah glove then we were sluiced with warm water. Laying back on the warm slab our bodies were coated with Ghassoul Mud, and a Honey face mask applied. After 30 mins were again sluiced with the warm water so that all traces of the mud was removed, hair washed, conditioned, and wrapped in a towel we were led into the relaxation room to enjoy Moroccan Tea and Dates. We then had a full body massage in a private room. The treatment lasted well over 2 hours and it was heaven!
So all to soon my weekend of indulgence was over and it was time for me to go home and for my Dolly with the Trolley to go to Sydney / Auckland.