Tried and tested: The Energizing Journey

An energising treatment for two at Pullman Hotel in Dubai.

WHAT I TRIED The Energizing Journey at The Sanctuary Spa, Pullman Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.

WHAT I WANTED After a hectic week at work, the idea of relaxing and being pampered sounded like bliss. Having planned a day trip to Dubai, my husband and I decided to try the Energizing Journey in The Sanctuary Spa's couples suite.

WHAT HAPPENED Despite the heavy traffic of hotel and day guests (the Pullman is adjacent to the Mall of the Emirates) we found the spa blissfully empty. Situated on the 24th floor, the spa, gym and pool lounge have wonderful views of the city, making our brief dip in the outside pool before our treatment even more enjoyable. The only let-down was the spa reception, which was small and blandly beige. But once checked in, we headed to the sauna and steam rooms, where I sat thinking about all the work I was leaving behind and concentrated on sweating out the toxins from my pores.

The couples suite, though smaller than we imagined, had a gloriously inviting bath and shower area. After we lay down on our respective massage beds, our male and female therapists set to work, beginning with a full body scrub. The spa uses the French brand Payot products, and the brown sugar scrub with essential oils of patchouli and vanilla smelled divine. Our tired, dry skin was left soft and sheer by the rigorous but soothing mineral polish.

Bergamot and mint oil were used for the massage, and my therapist applied the perfect amount of pressure - hard but not so hard that I had to grit my teeth. I could tell I was in the hands of someone who knew what she was doing, and after an hour my muscles felt almost knot-free. Judging by my husband's snores, I could tell he was just as relaxed.

After the 90-minute treatment we enjoyed a post-massage doze in the relaxation room before testing out the fruit drinks back at the pool.

THE VERDICT True to the spa menu's word, we left The Sanctuary with soft and energised skin and in a more relaxed state of mind. This is a spa that offers good value for no-nonsense treatments. Perhaps it's not the ideal place for a luxurious romantic retreat, but its location next to MOE lends itself perfectly to girl get-togethers and relieving post-shopping tired limbs. Plus the fabulous Summer Spree offer of Dh980 - which includes a night's stay in the hotel, breakfast for two and a spa voucher - adds another string to their bow and makes it even more tempting to spend the whole weekend padding around indoors.

Jemma Nicholls

The Energizing Journey, Dh475 per person, Sanctuary Spa, The Pullman, 04 377 2380