Spa Review: AWAY Spa at W Dubai – The Palm

Relaxation, pampering and a funky aesthetic on Palm Jumeirah.

The word ‘away’ is defined as “a distance from a particular place, person, or thing”, and that is precisely how we felt on our recent visit to AWAY Spa. Situated inside W Dubai – The Palm, a modern five-star property that has become a haven for those in search of the finer things in life, FACT visited to see if this lively property can also help guests to relax.

We don’t know whether it was the journey out to the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah with its private sandy beaches and waterfront vistas, or the opportunity to leave the Dubai skyline on the horizon, but it felt like we were on a mini holiday from the moment we stepped into the rainbow-coloured valet.

A sense of escapism and freedom settles in as we navigate the lobby, complete with countless hanging lanterns and chic gold furnishings, on our way to the spa. The entrance to W Dubai – The Palm’s AWAY Spa is illuminated by iridescent signage, with the distinct space-age theme continuing into the reception area.

Engulfed in electric blue hues, we immediately feel cocooned and protected, while a chic circular reception desk that wouldn’t be amiss on the Starship Enterprise takes precedence beneath an abstract structure resembling some kind of alien epiglottis. A clear embodiment of the W ethos, AWAY spa is striking, unique and immediately piques our interest.

We can’t help but admire the dark tones and the intimacy that this particular spa journey promotes. Offering visitors an experience that feels entirely bespoke and privatised. While many spas in Dubai adopt an all-white colour palette of clinical serenity that often reminds us of a hospital, AWAY is forging its own path with a colourful lounge environment. One where kinetic patterns dance across the walls of the relaxation areas, while neon lighting in rainbow colours instil the space with a nightlife feel. 

The circular changing area is replete with hairdryers, illuminated magnifying mirrors and lockers, and feels more like the dressing room of an A-list celebrity than a spa. The changing area makes for the perfect base for exploring the various areas that fan outwards, including a steam room, sauna facilities and a refreshing plunge pool.

Each of the AWAY Spa’s spaces prioritises a different service, from the couple’s suite to the hammam steam room. We are led into a sensory, textural paradise comprising of pleated strings that resemble curtains, mosaic tiles with an ethereal metallic sheen, and what may well be the plushest massage beds we have ever experienced! Heated to perfection and topped with fluffy coverings, ensuring the utmost comfort throughout the treatment.

With detox and de-stress massages, alongside facials, hair masks and cryotherapy on the agenda, AWAY Spa has a series of unique treatments for relaxation and restoration. We opt for the 90-minute Arabian Massage (AED 750), in which the rhythmical massage evolves from Arabian Bedouin beginnings and poetic sounds to renewed interpretations of locally inspired music. The experience is unique, combining oil massage sequences to target pressure points with a series of stretches, set against an immersive soundscape.

AWAY Spa at W Dubai – The Palm provides guests with a feeling of escape, as if embarking on a mini-vacation or spa-cation (if you will). The holiday vibes of this beachfront resort on an artificial island constructed to resemble a palm tree when viewed from above, are second to none. The result is a relaxing escape that alleviates our stress levels and makes us feel miles from the city.

Get ready to hit escape with an exclusive two for one summer spa offer across all massages at AWAY Spa. Experience a summertime rendezvous at W Dubai – The Palm’s unconventional spa with two for one on all 30, 60 and 90-minute massages this summer. Offering a glow-up better than any Instagram filter, AWAY Spa has transformed the traditional spa experience, offering glam sessions, relaxing massages, and rejuvenating treatments, all within a distinctive social space with a seriously playful vibe. Available from 1 May to 15 September 2021.  The offer is only available for residents during weekdays (except Tuesday).

GO: Email w.dxbtp.spa@whotelsworldwide.com or call (0)4 245 5533 or email for bookings and more information.