GETTING TO KNOW YOU: HOTELIER’S EXPERT PANEL

Michael Monsod
Spa & recreation manager
The Palace, The Old Town
Spa manager
The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai
Dubai, UAE

Michael Monsod started in the spa and recreation industry in 1998 with a resort property in the Philippines. After that, he joined Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines before transferring to Shangri-La Dubai.

In his current role, Monsod manages a two-floor spa at The Palace with six treatment rooms, two hammam areas, a small gym and a pool. The Spa at The Address has 11 treatment rooms, an aroma room and ice cave.

Aymen Ben Ali
Director of spa and health club
Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman
Ajman, UAE

An athlete turned personal trainer turned spa manager, Aymen Bin Ali worked for Grand Hyatt Dubai as assistant spa manager before taking up his current role with R Hospitality, owner of the Ramada Ajman and Ramada Downtown Burj Dubai. The spa launched six months ago with two treatment rooms, but Ben Ali is currently looking at growing the facility — including potentially adding a hammam.
Ben Ali is also working on a business plan to introduce a small spa at Ramada Downtown Burj Dubai, which opened in December.

Mandy Toh
Spa manager
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
Dubai, UAE

Mandy Toh entered the hotel industry in sales and marketing in Singapore with Raffles International in 2000, moving to Dubai to work for Le Méridien for her first spa posting. She previously worked for Banyan Tree before opening up the spa at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, previously managed by Emirates Hotels and Resorts.

The spa is still branded under Emirates Timeless brand and features four ladies treatment rooms, two male treatment rooms, a gym, pool and kids pool.

Francisca Antunes
Spa director
Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village and Spa
Doha, Qatar

Francisca Antunes entered the spa industry six months ago, leaving behind hotel operations and general management to fulfil a dream to work for Six Senses. She started her career with Hyatt, moving on to operations manager, hotel manager and GM with Starwood and InterContinental.

The 6500m² Six Senses Spa has 23 treatment rooms, which include Thai rooms, a hammam, group hammams, dry flotation rooms, three meditation rooms and two fitness areas — one female-only and one mixed.

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What product lines do you use?

  • The Address Downtown Burj Dubai: ESPA.
  • The Palace — The Old Town: Carita, Decleor and Les Sans de Marrakech.
  • Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village and Spa: Sodashi and Six Senses — new in-house line launched at the end of last year.
  • Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman: Bella Lucce and Eminence Organics, an organic range from Hungary.
  • Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites: Sodashi, Babor and Timeless Spa private label (created for Timeless Spa by Babor).

How much is a 60-minute massage?

  • The Address Downtown Burj Dubai/ The Palace — The Old Town: AED 475 ($129).
  • Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village and Spa: AED 500 ($136).
  • Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman: AED 300 ($82).
  • Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites: AED 300 ($82).