SENSASIA’S Consultancy Team, The Spa People, Unveils Its Most Luxurious Concept

They say fashion tells a story, but for Dina Yassin,…

SENSASIA Stories at Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, opens this October 2020

SENSASIA, the largest independent and multi award-winning spa group in the UAE, expanded its portfolio with THE SPA PEOPLE in 2020, as a direct response to a demand for guidance in the Middle East wellness industry. Set to open its doors this October 2020, SENSASIA Stories is a completely unprecedented flagship destination spa, committed to total body wellness and located at Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates. The project was conceptualised by THE SPA PEOPLE, to offer a level of spa sophistication which really must be seen, and felt, to be believed.

The result of an extensive refurbishment within this prestigious five-star hotel, the 4,000 sq/ft spa is a monastic, deeply tranquil space, intensively curated to take clients on a truly unique journey through the senses of Asia: carving their own SENSASIA Story. Combining authentic Asian architecture; exclusively natural materials; a muted colour palette and textured tone-on-tone, SENSASIA Stories was born from a brief created by SENSASIA founder Salina Handa, then custom-designed by creative director Pallavi Dean and her Dubai-born interiors brand, Roar.

“The design process for SENSASIA Stories was like an exercise in restraint for me,” explains Pallavi, who has been a self-confessed “SENSASIA spa junkie” for more than 10 years. “We have not overpowered the senses: this is a place of quiet, respite and reflection. The interior palette – dark and light hues of grey, complemented by a warm wood finish and strong stone slabs – allows you to just ‘be’.”

Developed around a central courtyard, punctuated by contemporary interpretations of traditional Asian arch structures, SENSASIA Stories comprises six unisex treatment rooms, one couples’ suite offering total privacy, separate male and female changing rooms and therapeutic relaxation areas, complete with heated beds.

Bespoke facilities include experience showers, an ice fountain, herb saunas, steam rooms, a Jacuzzi and virtual reality headsets, which can be incorporated into treatments to offer complete, customised escapism and guided meditations, transporting clients to the world’s most beautiful destinations – from the idyllic beaches of the Seychelles or the sweeping mountains of New Zealand.

The creative process continues into SENSASIA Stories treatments. As well as offering the award-winning massages, facials and body treatments that long-standing SENSASIA clients have been flocking to the 16-year-old spa chain’s locations to enjoy time after time – such as the targeted, deep tissue ‘Knead-IT’ and The Ultimate Recovery massages; Warm Milk & Honey body wrap and The Essential Spa Ritual, combining a prescribed, personalised facial with a full body massage – SENSASIA Stories guests can also carve out their spa own experience from the very beginning, with the option to book time as opposed to treatments, and allowing the expert team of therapists to script a tailored, transformative journey, just for them.

“I want clients to arrive knowing simply how they feel, and how they want to feel,” explains SENSASIA founder and creative director of THE SPA PEOPLE, Salina Handa. “The core principles of SENSASIA are based on my own desire for detail, which the experienced spa-goer will immediately appreciate, and the importance of taking both body and mind to another place entirely. At SENSASIA Stories, we are giving clients the option to select every element of their treatment – from stroke, to scent, to intensity – as well as offering a whole host of enhancements. We excel in the creation and adaptation of our spa journeys to enhance total body wellness, so much so that our clients integrate them into their lives in the same way they would exercise and nutrition.”

“We will of course offer the treatments our clients know and love, but I am very excited about the individual ‘Stories’ that are about to unfold at this unprecedented SENSASIA concept.”

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Dina Yassin

They say fashion tells a story, but for Dina Yassin, it’s more than just storytelling—it’s an art, a science, and a little bit of magic. As the Co-Founder, Chief Storyteller, and Editor-in-Chief of GAZETTA—among many other titles—she’s the woman behind the words, the visionary shaping narratives, and the creative force redefining luxury fashion journalism in the digital age. With over two decades of experience in luxury brand consulting, creative direction, and trend forecasting, Dina has worked with some of the most coveted names in the industry—think Van Cleef & Arpels, Kenzo, Bvlgari, Hermès, and Chloe—all while keeping her finger firmly on the pulse of what’s next. Her work has graced the pages of Vogue Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar, Condé Nast Traveler, Mojeh Magazine, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, 7 Corriere, and The Rake—among many other top-tier titles—solidifying her reputation as a fashion and luxury thought leader. But here’s the twist—Dina isn’t just reporting on the future; she’s creating it. Under her leadership, GAZETTA introduced EVVIE 7, an AI-driven journalist pushing the boundaries of editorial innovation. Because in a world where algorithms influence aesthetics as much as designers, Dina ensures GAZETTA stays one step ahead, seamlessly blending technology, culture, and high fashion into a platform that speaks to the modern, forward-thinking luxury consumer. Beyond her editorial expertise, Dina is a renowned luxury brand consultant, trend strategist, and creative powerhouse who thrives at the intersection of fashion, culture, and digital storytelling. Whether she’s consulting on luxury branding, forecasting emerging trends, directing high-profile fashion campaigns, or curating immersive experiences, she’s always asking the big questions—What’s next? Who’s shaping it? And most importantly, how do we make it unforgettable? One thing is certain: Dina Yassin is always at the forefront of what’s next.