Staycation Review: Dubai's Opulent One&Only Royal Mirage

One&Only Royal Mirage, located in Al Sufouh Dubai, is an iconic property that celebrates the splendour of Arabia and brings to life the magic and colour of the region.

One&Only Royal Mirage is one of the UAE’s most treasured properties, not just by tourists but by local residents and expats alike. Perhaps it is because of the grandeur of the resort that still allows privacy and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Situated on the Arabian Gulf, the property consists of three environments – The Palace, Arabian Court and The Residence and Spa – each one unique in its offering.

Accommodation

Team A&E checked into the Residence and Spa for a relaxing staycation, the most intimate of the hotel’s experiences and most definitely the hidden gem of the resort, the Residence features 49 guest rooms and suites as well as a two-bedroom Beach Garden Villa.

These rooms combine the luxury of a five-star hotel stay with the amenities and comfort of the home, making your stay stress-free and relaxed. The rooms offer views across the resort’s lush gardens and the Arabian Gulf. Watch the sunset over the sea from opulent outdoor balconies or relax by the pool in a quiet secluded gazebo. You really will feel a million miles away.

Inside the rooms the Arabian theme of the hotel continues with intricately-designed fabrics and wooden king-size beds, leading to leaving areas with Majlis-style seating. The four executive suites include a separate entrance foyer, dining area, guest bathroom and a traditional area for entertaining.

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury check into the Beach Garden Villa. This 300 metre squared private residence is accessed through a dedicated driveway and hidden garden which takes you to a private oasis. The Beach Garden Villa boasts two master bedrooms, each with a master bath and its own hammam steam room and temperature-controlled swimming pool.

Airconditioned terraces allow a year-round outdoor experience and for those who want to work out – there is a cardio studio equipped with treadmills and weights. At the centre of the residence is a private Arabian style Majlis lounge, dining area and kitchen where guests can entertain and celebrate.

Spa & Wellbeing

Situated close to the Residence you’ll find the One&Only Spa the Health & Beauty Institute. A serene space offering holistic and tailored experiences. Accessed via a private driveway through lush gardens and pools, the space features a huge spa and a traditional Oriental Hamman downstairs. Inside you’ll find a treatment menu consisting of therapies designed to focus on three key pillars – unwind, restore and elevate.

These three pillars focus on soothing the mind and relieving tension, purifying and balancing the body and mind, and reviving and elevating energy levels, resulting in renewed wellbeing and vitality. Signature treatments include One&Only Spa Experience which takes guests on a journey of full-body exfoliation, a total body wrap with marine mud, algae or Ayurvedic Oshadi, a tension-relieving head massage and full body aromatherapy massage.

The ‘Blissful Back, Face and Scalp with Hot Stones’ is a powerful stress reliever, focusing on the classic areas of the body that retain tension. Starting with a purifying back exfoliation, the treatment includes a deep massage with healing hot stones, intensive facemask to soothe and hydrate the skin and a head massage to clear the mind and calm the spirit.

The highlight of the spa has to be the Oriental Hamman. Featuring a selection of steam rooms, private massage rooms, jet shower, whirlpool and a traditionally furnished relaxation area, guests are encouraged to escape from the outside world and take a journey of relaxation. Incorporating centuries-old therapeutic tradition, a variety of hammam experiences have been designed to suit every need.

‘The Royal Hammam’ is an authentic Arabian experience including a deep cleaning with Vitamin E rich Moroccan soap or Beldi made with black olives, full body exfoliation with a kessa glove, nourishing Ghassoul wrap and honey face mask, head to toe cleansing ceremony and relaxing massage on a warm marble slab. ‘The Hammam Rose Ritual’ uses a pure clay wrap blended with botanical rose extracts to purify and renovate dehydrated skin, before applying a pressure point head and body massage with the scent of sensual rose or uplifting mint. Other hammam treatments include ‘Indulgent Hammam by MorocMoroc’ and ‘Oriental Back Massage’ for aches and pains.

After all that relaxation, check into the Zouari Hair Salon for a bouncy blow dry to take you through to the evening or head over to The Fitness Centre to get your energy pumping in a state-of-the-art gym.

Dining

When you’re done relaxing venture out to the hotel’s dining destinations which offer some of the best cuisines in Dubai. Overseen by Executive Chef Laurent Michel there are a host of dining destinations to choose from.

At The Palace you’ll travel around the world in food with restaurants including Olives which serves up dishes featuring Mediterranean flavours and al fresco dining, while you can experience the authentic taste of Morocco in dramatic surroundings at Tagine, fine dining in European-style splendour at signature restaurant Celebrities and fresh seafood served with the finest sea views at The Beach Bar & Grill. The latter a perfect destination for couples looking for a romantic date night.

Over at Arabian Court, you’ll find the vibrant flavours of India at Nina, savour traditional recipes from the Middle East and northern Europe at The Rotisserie, or enjoy Asian cuisine on a floating Majlis overlooking the Arabian Gulf at Eauzone. Exclusive to guests at Residence & Spa, The Dining Room serves exceptionally prepared cuisine in a light-filled elegant atrium.

For more information visit oneandonlyresorts.com.