Set on the lower floors of the Shangri-La on Sheikh Zayed Road, CHI feels quieter and less ostentatious than many of its five-star neighbours. The aesthetic leans warm and wood-panelled rather than marble-and-gold, and the treatment menu is refreshingly substantial: Tibetan stone rituals, Thai and deep-tissue massages, body scrubs, Biologique Recherche facials, and a cryotherapy protocol that has become a quiet signature. The therapists are where the spa earns its reputation. Requests for Aida, Irma, Iman, May, and Ruth come up again and again, and the consistency of technique across the team suggests a tightly trained bench rather than one or two stars carrying the operation.
The broader facility includes separate men's and women's wet areas with steam, sauna, and cold plunge pools, a full gym, tennis and squash courts, and a rooftop pool with Burj Khalifa views that frames an unusually calm urban escape. Check-in is warm and personable, and the post-treatment relaxation lounge, served with ginger tea and light snacks, is a pleasant place to land before returning to the city. Members using the club annually tend to cite the staff - Abdalla, Hanif, Subhajit, Mary, and Nusreen among them - as the reason they renew.
A few caveats are worth naming. The wet-area hydrotherapy pools have been intermittently out of service, which matters at this price point; it is worth confirming their status at booking. The 800 AED anti-ageing facial is not the strongest offer on the menu compared to the massage programme or the Biologique Recherche facials. Treatments sit around 550 AED for an hour, which is competitive for a hotel spa of this tier.
CHI suits travellers who want a considered, professional spa afternoon without the theatrical trappings of the Palm resorts, and who value therapist quality over lavish scenography.
Guest Reviews
4.0
Very Good
33 reviews
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HR
hrb3b2.0
3 months ago
Overall the service was more like 3 star. The wet facilities are in poor condition. They have 3 tubs that appear should be jacuzzis but I was told they were 3 different temperature dipping pools. I think they are just broken. The treatment was fine, nothing special. We also inquired if we could eat lunch at the pool after our treatment and that was just a disaster. It was a very cloudy day and later in the afternoon, the place was practically empty. After much discussion we were told we could have lunch at the pool. We were seated in lounge chairs but then after 5 minutes we were told we could only eat lunch at the bar and we needed to move. I would understand this if the place was packed and it was a great day but it was cloudy and 4:00. Needless to say we left and never will return
GP
Giada P5.0
3 months ago
I bought a voucher on Groupon and I experience a massage plus pool access at this hotel. I'm living in Dubai and I've been working in hospitality for 10 yrs. I've been in a lot of spas in town, including the expensive ones on the palm (zabeel saray, etc) and the experience in shangri-la has been much better!! Warm welcome, clear communication, genuine smiles. Mary is great! She showed me around and she even found the bracelet of my locker when I lost it! And my terapist Arya. Sweet and professional. Great massage. She was able to let me feel really special!!! And the treatment.. maybe the best I've had in town so far. Sometimes it's better that a place is practical and warm instead of luxury, complicated and un personalised!! I willl definitely be back! Well done girls! Only a small advice! All this hairdressers(male)from the salon standing on the corridor that leads to the ladies changing area.. it's not so pleasant passing by while they're staring at ladies and making comments!! Please let them stand in front of the male changing room!
KU
Kushal26874.0
3 months ago
The Spa is just-right, and does not have any of the jazz that comes with other 5-star hotels. The ambiance and the amenities in the Spa are basic but placed in a good decor. The therapist was very good. I don't remember her name but know that she has a loyal clientele. Her technique was very good and professional. The views of the Burj Khalifa from the Pool-side are Ok, nothing great
