At the newly opened Nysa spa at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, customers get to call the shots. The business hotel has turned the classic spa model on its head by encouraging clients to customise their treatments.
If, like me, you need a massage but are tight for time, you can book it for exactly the number of minutes you want. You can also customise a pre-existing package by replacing a treatment or two.
And that’s exactly what I did. I arrived for my appointment for the enticingly named Bliss ritual, lasting two-and-a-half hours and costing Dh895.
The treatment began with a foot-cleansing ceremony followed by a mother-of-pearl exfoliation with Himalayan salts that invigorated the skin, and shea butter that soothed it. Next up was a chamomile and rose damask body massage, which is where things got interesting. Having tried and tested a fair few massages in my time, I wanted to mix things up a little.
My therapist recommended lymphatic pressure to aid blood circulation, Swedish massage to ease muscular tension, and finally Balinese and Thai movements for stretching and relaxation. The trip around the world was sublime and just what the doctor ordered. After some healing reflexology and a hot-oil scalp massage, with just the right degree of acupressure, it was time to call it a day.
The expansive list of add-ons I could have chosen from included a traditional hammam, diamond facials, clay masks and moor-mud wraps. That’s not to mention the complete range of body-sculpting programmes by anti-ageing technology wizard Caci.
Tailored treatments aside, there are a couple of other things that make a trip to Nysa a memorable one. The Water Temple is something to behold, boasting three vitality pools, an ice fountain and Kneipp walkway where freezing jets and a textured floor stimulate the senses and the immune system. And the sensory showers with settings of cool blue lighting, mint-infused water and heady-scented thunderstorms gets a thumbs-up.
Nysa also stocks the Omorovicza range of products, which is rarely seen on the spa circuit. In the 1800s, the Hungarian Omorovicza family built the famous Racz Spa in Budapest, and two centuries later, teamed up with a Nobel prize-winning scientist to harness the water’s curative properties and produce a skincare range. Luxurious and hydrating, the oils and creams smell amazing and feel even better on your skin.
The spa is anything but clinical. There are high walls of lush plants, warm-hued marble floors and funky fibre-optic-cable light installations that dangle overhead as you are served lavender sorbet. This spa means business, and the option of picking and mixing your preferences means you arguably get more bang for your buck – and excellent results.
• Nysa spa is at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights hotel. For appointments, call 085 53 1259 or visit www.dubaicreek.regency, or www.dubaicreek.regency.hyatt.com
rduane@thenational.ae
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Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
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"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
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