How to prepare your home for a massage

Key takeaways

• One table needs about two by two metres of clear floor. Two tables side by side need about three by three.
• Turn the AC a little warmer than usual and point the vents away from the table.
• Soft light, a quiet room and a phone on silent matter more than any decoration.
• Settle pets and children in another room before the session starts.
• Tell reception, the concierge or security in advance, and share where visitors can park.

Find the right spot for the table

A massage table is roughly the size of a single bed, but the therapist also needs to walk all the way around it. That is why the space to clear is about two by two metres, not just the footprint of the table. In most Dubai apartments, the living room in front of the sofa or the floor at the foot of a bed works well once a coffee table or a chair is moved aside.

Choose a level, dry floor. Tiles, wood and flat carpet are all fine. Avoid a spot right next to a door that people will use, a balcony door that lets in heat, or a corner where the table would block the way to the bathroom.

If you are booking a couples massage with two tables side by side, look for about three by three metres. In a studio or a smaller flat, the two sessions can be one after the other instead, with one table.

• One table: about two by two metres of clear floor.
• Two tables side by side: about three by three metres.
• A level, dry surface away from busy doorways.

Set the air conditioning a little warmer

Most homes in Dubai run the air conditioning cool for most of the year. That feels right when you are walking around, but lying still under a linen, with oil on your skin, you cool down quickly. A room that feels pleasant when you are dressed can feel chilly twenty minutes into a massage.

About fifteen minutes before the therapist arrives, nudge the thermostat a couple of degrees warmer than you would normally keep it. If a vent blows straight down onto the spot where the table will go, angle the louvres away or choose another spot. A steady draught across your back is one of the most common reasons people feel cold during a session at home.

Your therapist will be moving and working, so they usually feel warmer than you. If you feel cold during the massage, say so: an extra linen or a small change to the AC fixes it in a moment. Comfort matters more than any routine.

Light, sound and a calm room

You do not need candles or a spa playlist. You need a room that lets you switch off. Close the curtains or blinds if the afternoon sun comes in strongly, and choose a lamp or a dimmer over bright ceiling lights, especially if you will lie face up for part of the session.

Put your phone on silent and out of reach, and turn off the television. If you like gentle music, set it up before you start so you are not reaching for a speaker halfway through. If you prefer silence, that is just as good.

Tidying the whole flat is not necessary. Your therapist has seen every kind of home. Clearing the area around the table, and having a chair or a hook nearby for your clothes, is enough. A glass of water within reach for after the session is a small touch that helps.

Pets, children and the rest of the household

A curious cat jumping onto the table or a dog nosing at the linens makes it hard to relax, and some people are allergic to or nervous around animals. Before the therapist arrives, settle pets in another room with water and a toy, and close the door. Mention when you book if you have pets at home, so your therapist is not surprised at the door.

With children, plan the session for a time when another adult can look after them, or when they are asleep or at school. For parents of young children, an early morning or an evening slot after bedtime often works best.

Let anyone else at home know you will be busy for the next hour or so. A closed door and a quiet word to the household are usually enough.

Shower, towels and what the therapist brings

Your therapist brings a professional massage table, fresh linens and oils. You do not need to provide sheets, a mat or any products. The linens on the table are fresh for each booking.

A warm shower shortly before the session is a nice way to start. It relaxes the muscles a little and means you are ready to lie straight down. Have your own bath towel and a robe or loose clothes nearby for afterwards, since many people like to sit quietly for a few minutes before they get dressed.

Take off watches, rings and necklaces and keep them somewhere safe away from the table. If you have long hair, a hair tie helps during back and neck work. If you plan to shower after the massage, make sure the bathroom is free and close by, so you can walk there without crossing a cold room.

Building access, concierge and parking

Many homes in Dubai are in towers or gated communities where visitors pass a lobby, a security desk or a gate. The easiest way to avoid a delay is to tell reception, the concierge or security that a RHEA therapist is coming, with the time and your unit number. Some buildings ask residents to register visitors in advance, so check how yours works.

Your therapist arrives with a table and a bag, so a lift that reaches your floor directly makes setup easier. If your building has a separate service lift or a specific entrance for deliveries and visitors, mention it.

Parking rules vary from building to building. If there is visitor parking, a drop-off point or a nearby public car park, share it. Keep your phone close around the start time in case the therapist needs directions, then put it on silent once they are inside. The table is packed away at the end and the room is left as it was.

If you are staying in a hotel room

A massage in your hotel room works the same way. Most rooms have space once the desk chair or a side table is moved. Let the front desk know that a therapist is visiting, as many hotels ask visitors to check in at reception before going up.

Set the room temperature a little warmer, draw the curtains and hang the do-not-disturb sign on the door so housekeeping does not knock mid-session. In a holiday home or serviced apartment, the same tips apply as at home: clear space, a calm room and clear access instructions.

Visiting the Palm or the Marina? See massage at home on Palm Jumeirah and massage at home in Dubai Marina for local tips.