There’s no denying that Saudi’s nature makes for a mood board of contrasts – desert dunes, striking seas, and peaks that scrape the sky.
From the Red Sea to the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a spa renaissance and the embracing of holistic and natural treatments. With a focus on indigenous ingredients, ancient healing traditions, and breathtaking desert landscapes, these luxurious retreats offer a transformative journey for mind, body, and soul.
Across the Kingdom, these raw elements are distilled into sanctuaries: high-end spas offering exclusive rituals rooted in their surroundings, ranging from desert sand exfoliations to marine algae body wraps.
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Neyrah Spa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Red Sea
In October 2024, the Neyrah Spa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve was crowned as the 'Saudi Arabia's Best Resort Spa 2024' at the tenth edition of the World Spa Awards, despite being open just six months. A hugely impressive award, this win just reinforced Neyrah Spa's position as an industry leader and tastemaker in luxurious and transformative spa experiences. Actively fostering a connection between the land, sea and indulgent spa experiences through its spa menu, the Neyrah Spa implements natural and local ingredients in its transformative treatments. Whilst the spa's serene indoor and outdoor spaces, including sea-facing treatment rooms and outdoor cabins, provide the perfect and immersive setting in nature for a transformative journey. At Neyrah Spa, guests are welcomed by attentive and experienced staff and spa therapists. Expert practitioners can also guide visitors through a variety of holistic treatments, including breathing techniques, meditation, lunar yoga, and sound healing therapy.
@nujumareserve
Ummahat Islands 2-3, The Red Sea Development
Four Seasons Spa & Wellness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at the Kingdom Centre
This magnificent stone-clad spa offers guests a grounding and enchanting experience reflective of Saudi design and architectural heritage. Located in Riyadh’s Al Olaya district, it features traditional Arab treatments with a local twist. Royal Hammam, for example, combines a mask of honey and royal jelly, following a traditional Moroccan hammam ritual that both nourishes and firms the skin, while Hot Lava Shells Massage, a self-heating porcelain shell treatment, offers guests a soothing experience. There’s also a Nourishing Mud Wrap, which soothes and rejuvenates the skin with the mineral-rich Moor mud, renowned for its legendary and powerful therapeutic properties. And if you want to truly indulge, you can opt for the signature Spa Retreat, which begins with a revitalising scrub, proceeds onto a hot massage, and culminates with a facial using the Biologique Recherche methodology. The spa includes a private ladies’ section and there’s a delicious healthy menu of drinks made with spirulina and moringa infusions, as well as healthy bites like turmeric chicken and zesty salads.
@fsriyadh
Kingdom Centre, Olaya Street, Al Olaya, Riyadh 11321
The Spa at Kempinski, Kempinski Al Othman Hotel Al Khobar
Hammams have recently made a huge comeback in Saudi, and The SPA at Kempinski in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province offers a luxurious traditional hammam experience. Indulge in Revive in Al Khobar, a two-hour treatment, which includes a full-body candle oil massage and customised facial, followed by a Moroccan bath and body scrub within the spa’s intricate wash area decorated with glistening tile work. The space includes a fitness centre, pool area, and a range of various treatment rooms to help guests relax and restore.
@kempinskialkhobar
King Saud Road, Al Khobar 31952
The Spa at Shangri-La, Shangri-La Jeddah
Crowned Saudi’s Best Hotel Spa 2023, this haven blends the hotel’s Asian roots and traditions with Arabian practices and hospitality, providing treatments that evoke states of calm and wellbeing. The menu at The Spa at Shangri-La has separate treatments for men and women, such as Detox Marine Essence to treat skin with a soothing and nourishing exfoliation followed by a marine algae body wrap, reflective of the nearby Red Sea surroundings. Massages include De-Stress Recovery, which can aid one’s sleep, Fitness Recharge, and Hot Stone Massage. All treatments come with access to the fitness, sauna, and steam rooms and the opportunity to rest outside and marvel at the views of the Red Sea afterwards.
@shangrila_jeddah
Burj Assila, Corniche Road, Ash Shati, Jeddah 23611
Six Sense Spa, Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea
This unforgettable spa is in one of Saudi’s latest developments, The Red Sea. Set across two floors and encompassing 3,974 sq m, Six Senses Spa’s design reflects the Kingdom’s iconic landscape of undulating sand dunes and golden hues. On the upper floor is a comprehensive gym and fitness suite with views of the desert, while numerous treatment rooms and a wet area, featuring self- shaded water surfaces and deep cold pools that create a contrast to the hot desert climate, can be found on the first floor. All treatments incorporate elements from Arabian culture, such as notes of frankincense and other scents paying tribute to the Incense Route that once extended through the Gulf nation. There’s also a sensory suite with a meditation dome, outdoor treatment cabanas with a relaxation area, and a pool bar. Once visitors have finished, they can step outside and marvel at the Red Sea’s waves and beaches.
@sixsensessoutherndunes
Southern Dunes Site 14, The Red Sea Development, Umluj 48321
