The Monte-Carlo Beach Club Spa Indulgence package:
If you’ve ever visited the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, you’ll know what we mean when we say it’s a little slice of heaven that has you blubbering like a big baby when it’s time to leave. That’s why, when we found out their spa had opened its hospitable doors to non-members, we were very excited. What’s more, the Spa Indulgence package they have on offer is irresistible. It comprises of a single day pass to the club (which includes access to their fantastic pool, spa facilities, workout room and that stretch of pristine beach), an hour of spa treatment and a three-course set menu lunch just in case you’re not quite spoiled enough. This, we thought, is an ideal girly day out with friends, or better still the best idea for a hen party in the history of hen parties. And on that note, we booked ourselves in with a friend.
The treatment
step by step:
The package allows you to choose from three treatments: the back balance body treatment; the wellness back massage; or the deep tissue massage. We opted for the wellness back, which turned out to be an hour of blissful full-body massage. Two minutes into it our therapist, Michelle, discovered our stiff shoulder and said as much. We hung our head in shame (in spirit, not actually – because actually our head was resting in that massage table face-rest thing). ‘In fact,’ she said, ‘you’re stiff from the middle of your back up. Maybe bad posture?’ Oh the misery and disgrace of being a sloucher. We gritted our teeth as Michelle took great care to work out the knots, and cracked a few joints while she was at it. The pain was good. And in between there was the relaxing scent of the sweet-orange massage oil and Michelle’s expert, fluid motions which helped relieve three weeks and a round-flight’s worth of pent up tension.
When the hour was up we could hardly believe it and were on the verge of asking Michelle to give us another 15 minutes of that head and face massage. We didn’t. Stumbling out of the treatment room on unsteady feet, we sought recourse in the Jacuzzi and relaxation area instead, while our friend went for her treatment. First we hit the sauna. When things got too hot, we dived into the icy waters of the plunge pool and then scampered back out with a squeal, all shivery like a pathetic little girl. We then embraced the warmth of the rather generous steam room, and when that got too much, we killed half an hour in the clear bubbling waters of the beautiful Jacuzzi with a good book.
When our friend emerged from her deep tissue massage, we basked on the sun-beds together in the walled off sun-terrace (an ideal tanning option for ladies who cover) and sang Michelle’s praises. By the time lunch was served at Le Deck, we’d worked up quite an appetite. Mind you, a set-menu awaits, so don’t get your hopes up with thoughts of gorging yourself on Le Deck’s spectacular fine-dining starters. It is, however, a very good set-menu with a variety of three well thought out options to choose from for each of the three courses.
Pros:
Great service, good value for money and a classy, luxury spa ticked all of our happy boxes. But the best thing about Monte-Carlo Beach Club is the breezy, lazy atmosphere that has you feeling like you’re on holiday.
Cons:
The Monte-Carlo Beach Club spa, being all about exclusivity, only has one treatment room (well, technically two, because there’s one for the ladies and one for the men). This means there is no option for a joint treatment, so you’ll have to go off and keep yourself entertained with something while your friend is being treated. Luckily, there’s plenty in and around the spa to keep you occupied.
The verdict:
At Dhs695 for the full package inclusive of lunch, this is excellent value for money. And we still think it’s a brilliant way to celebrate something (anything!) with your girl friends, or the ideal mini-getaway for when you need some bonding time with your sister.
The Spa Indulgence package costs Dhs695 and is valid on weekdays only. Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island (02 656 3500).
