Wellness resorts in the United Arab Emirates aren’t your run-of-the-mill sleep and spa joints. Instead you’ll find dedicated lifestyle programmes, nods to local culture, and serene oases where you can truly relax and recharge away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Pick a tented stay in the desert or opt for hyper luxury by the beach – whatever your preference and budget, there’s a spa resort to suit your needs. This is our pick of the best.
1. Relax in the desert at Bab Al Shams
The relaxation starts before you get anywhere near the spa at this desert oasis, where beautifully tiled pools and lush vegetation can be found inside the walls of the beautiful stone building constructed in a traditional Arabic style. The rooms here are plush and homely, the outdoor pool has a swim-up bar, but the best bit is the feel of the resort as the sun sets and warm outdoor lamps bring a glow to this desert retreat.
The spa and hammam matches the upscale bedouin feel of the resort, with treatments inspired by regional healing methods. Book in for an ancestral bath ceremony to feel scrubbed and wrapped to perfection, or plump for one of the 90-minute massages to fully unwind.
Nightly rates start from AED 900.
2. Be at one with nature at Anantara The Palm
Step into your own island bubble at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, where lagoon-side villas come with their own private steps into the bright blue waters of the pool (which stays open for gorgeous moonlight swims). Set on The Palm in Dubai, Anantaara feels like a world away from the bustling metropolis nearby. Villas can be found down winding paths, hidden by large palm fronds and wild vegetation, with other pathways leading to eateries and the large spa. Much like the rest of the resort, the spa is designed with nature in mind – stepping stones lead guests over water-covered pebbles in the spa corridor, and spa beds overlook luxurious pools. There’s a hammam and plunge pool, but the highlight is the massages – the staff are exceptional here and absolute masters of relaxation.
Nightly rates start from AED 500.
3. Take a luxurious break at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
Stepping into the spa at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is an almost otherworldly experience. Moroccan-style tiles and designs are complimented with lanterns, foliage and the classic Mandarin Oriental scent. The beautiful hammam area is like a work of art but it’s worth tearing yourself away for long enough to experience one of the spa’s signature treatments (complete with specially selected skincare products). The luxury continues in the rest of the hotel, where outside of the spa you’ll find palatial rooms, decadent dining options and simply stunning grounds – it really doesn’t get better than this.
Nightly rates start from AED 1400.
4. Camp at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
The most upscale camping experience you’ll ever have in your life, the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah is inspired by Bedoin campsites, but with a very decent helping of decadence. Signature tented villas feature heavy drapes, private pools and intricate black lampshades (and yes, these tents are air-conditioned).
The spa also reflects the outdoorsy aesthetic, with leaf-motif pillows, the sounds of running water from the pools, and day beds overlooking the gardens. Try ‘the rainforest’, the spa’s own version of a traditional bathing ritual mixed with hydrothermal therapy – all ending with a relaxing snooze on a heated bed. Utter bliss.
Nightly rates start from AED 1600.
5. Get holistic at ZOYA Health and Wellbeing Resort
Wellness at Zoya, in Al Zorah, Ajman, isn’t just an add-on or second thought – it’s the resort’s entire reason for being. Here, wellness is the approach to life, and those staying at ZOYA are here for the holistic programmes the resort provides. These include personalised nutrition plans, mindfulness and yoga, fitness facilities and therapeutic spa treatments. The hammam and spa are, of course, very luxurious, but you’ll get the most out of your stay if you adopt the resort’s whole-person philosophy. Book yourself in for some sound healing and get a live-blood analysis while you’re at it.
Nightly rates start from AED 750.
