Raffles Hotels and Resorts has opened a new resort in Dubai with a comprehensive 23-treatment-room spa to reflect the city’s lavish character.

Offering panoramic sea views and vistas of Dubai’s iconic skyline, the 389-room resort is Raffles’ first in the Middle East and is situated within 100,000sq m on the world’s largest man-made island and archipelago – West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.

Raffles The Palm Dubai is flanked by a 500-metre private beach and has been realised following a rebranding and overhaul of the former Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai.

Open to both hotel and day guests, the wellness facility is operated by luxury French skincare and spa brand Cinq Mondes and has been conceived to offer an urban haven of rejuvenation and tranquillity.

Facilities include the largest indoor pool in the Middle East, seven scrub rooms, two traditional hammams, a sauna and a Japanese Bath, as well as two private suites, ice fountains, a yoga studio and gym.

Industry suppliers involved include Gharieni as well as wet area specialists Barr + Wray which helped realise the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities.

Cinq Mondes has blended healing traditions from across the globe to create a dynamic spa menu, drawing on wellness techniques from locations such as Polynesia, Bali, India and Japan.

Among the innovative treatments available is kobido, a traditional form of Japanese massage combined with aesthetic care that’s billed to deliver powerful anti-ageing results.

A deep massage that targets the face and neck, kobido is known for its powerful rejuvenating effects. By working the facial muscles, kobido is said to stimulate fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen, flushing out toxins and rejuvenating the skin by reactivating blood flow.

“It’s an effective alternative to the use of fillers and Botox,” said director of spa Karen Lesch, speaking to Spa Business.

“It offers guests a natural facelift through the use of Géto extract and Dermapuncture techniques, combined with the expert use of a traditional Ridoki roller crafted from Japanese jade.”

She added: “At Raffles The Palm Dubai, complete body and mind rejuvenation are core to the guest experience.

“Thanks to the expert hands of the spa’s practitioners who’ve spent years collaborating with world-leading scientists alongside specialists of time-honoured practices such as Shirodhara and Japanese Kobido, guests will enjoy a uniquely rejuvenating experience.”

She also revealed that the spa has partnered with retreat provider Beyond Wellness – founded by Sophia Bakkal and Rachel Downes.

“We’re delighted to partner with these international experts who cater to mind, body and spirit in equal measure by blending the traditional with the contemporary, meaning our guests will enjoy a transformational Wellness Retreat destination.”