From Riyadh to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's landscape is dotted with hotels and resorts that offer rich wellness experiences, making the Kingdom a prime destination for travellers and locals who are after some peace and pampering.
Of course, you can expect eye-watering opulence, but there are plenty of affordable options if you don't have the time or money to waste. Experience the healing properties of centuries-old Arabian traditions, or try results-driven facials and cutting-edge longevity treatments. With something for every taste and budget, the Kingdom’s many options make it the ultimate destination for wellness travel.
When visiting a spa, it’s important to adhere to the required etiquette and each hotel will outline their guidelines clearly, so you don’t need to worry. While some spas cater to a single gender, others provide separate facilities for women and men. In this case, should you be travelling with a partner, you can both visit the separate facilities at the same time. So, if you're looking for some pampering, reserve a stay at one of these hotels for the perfect spa getaway in Saudi.
1. Our Habitas AlUla
One of the hippest hotels in the Kingdom, Our Habitas Alula is a reset for the body and mind before you’ve even set foot in the spa. When you do though, you’ll feel completely detached from the outside world; this is a place to lose track of time. Thuraya Wellness is a series of indoor and outdoor spaces, with a peaceful lounge offering an alchemy bar where you can enjoy healthy elixirs, treatment rooms, a fitness centre, an outdoor wellness agora, and a yoga studio.
Don’t expect a simple Swedish massage though. Instead, you’ll find chakra balancing rituals with healing crystals, myofascial release for tight muscles, and sand baths designed to eliminate toxins. If you’re staying at the resort, be sure to make use of the complimentary daily yoga, sound baths, and meditation sessions.
2. Kempinski Al Othman Hotel, Al Khobar
Located in Al Khobar’s business centre, The SPA at Kempinski Al Othman Hotel is a great choice for day visits. Recognised as the Best Luxury Brand at the 2023 World Luxury Hotel Awards, the spa offers separate men’s and women’s areas and promises to soothe the body and mind.
Their Moroccan Bath, or "Hammam Maghrabi," exfoliates and moisturises your body with specialised soaps that will leave you feeling silky smooth. If you have a little longer, try the Revive in Al Khobar treatment, a two-hour session that includes a full-body candle oil massage and a customised facial. Post pampering, there’s a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and indoor pool with comfy loungers, where you can relax with a magazine and cup of tea.
3. Shangri-La, Jeddah
The Spa at Shangri-La epitomises an urban wellness retreat. Nestled between the Red Sea and the city, the spa has separate facilities dedicated to women and men. Each area offers steam rooms and saunas for pre- or post-treatment relaxation, along with experience showers and ice fountains.
Women can indulge in a VIP treatment suite with a private whirlpool bath, while men have access to a traditional Moroccan hammam and an outdoor swimming pool with stunning views of the Red Sea. Shangri-La's wellness philosophy blends Asian traditions with modern techniques, offering treatments with internal and external benefits. For instance, their powerful antioxidant facial not only stimulates collagen for plumper skin but also reduces inflammation.
4. Six Senses Southern Dunes, Red Sea
You can see the sea in the distance, but it’s the rolling waves of sand dunes that surround guests at Six Sense Southern Dunes – and which can be explored on immersive hikes and stargazing sessions led by knowledgeable guides.
The modernist design reflects the shapes of the desert, making clever use of techniques and lightweight materials to stay as cool as possible without relying on air-conditioning; at its heart is the Oasis, a calming space with fountains beneath a rose-shaped canopy. The spa has a hammam, a holistic anti-ageing room and the Alchemy Bar, where you can learn how to make body and facial scrubs. In fact, there are lots of opportunities here to pick up new skills, from sustainability sessions in the Earth Lab to making latte art in the Arabic tapas restaurant Merkaz.
5. Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Red Sea
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, was always destined to be special. Even before its opening, Ritz-Carlton’s leaders gave the resort their ultimate endorsement when they named it a “Reserve,” an ultra-rare classification, shared by just eight Ritz-Carltons globally, which confirms a hotel occupies a setting of outstanding natural beauty and delivers exceptional hospitality. In Nujuma’s case, that location is an immaculate private island, fringed by emerald green mangrove forests, lapped by the Red Sea’s warm waters, and surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef.
Neyrah Spa follows this commitment to the local environment and excellence in general. All the treatments feature products sourced in Saudi and there's an array of treatment rooms to suit every taste. The Royal Neyrah Suite is perfect for couples who want a tranquil space to enjoy in private and features a treatment room, jacuzzi, bath tub and steam shower. There's also a hammam for traditional treatments and outdoor treatment cabins with views of the sea. Feel your muscles completely unwind as you enjoy a massage next to the sounds of the waves.
6. The St Regis Red Sea Resort
The St Regis Spa is a sensorial escape on this pristine private island resort. Undoubtedly one of the region’s most luxurious spas, it features eight treatment rooms with gazebos and outdoor baths, private treatment cabins, and grooming salons for men and women. If you’re in search of some bling, the lengthy menu includes a 24-karat gold facial and a gold and caviar ritual.
For those with three hours to spare, the Celebration Ritual is an epic wellness journey that begins with a stone body polish followed by a ballet-inspired massage. Other treatments that are bound to leave you transformed include gold and platinum-plated hot stone massages, body scrubs with crushed meteorites and volcanic rock, sound healing, and olfactory meditation.
7. Raffles Makkah Palace
At the heart of the sacred city of Makkah (also known as Mecca), you'll find one of the Kingdom’s most renowned spas at Raffles Makkah Palace. Inspired by the lotus flower's journey from bud to blossom, the concept here is unique and enchanting.
The treatment menu reads like poetry, offering therapies that reflect three stages of transformation: bud (body), blossom (beauty), and bloom (holistic experiences), all designed to appeal to every sense. Separate floors for men and women ensure a personalised experience for all. Sounds dreamy? You'll be drifting off into bliss in no time.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Exquisite Arabian-inspired decor provides a strong sense of place from the moment you walk into The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh’s palatial spa that caters to both men and women. Popular treatments include the invigorating body scrub and reflexology, a therapeutic practice that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet.
The stand-out though, is The Royal Extravaganza, a full-body exfoliation and wrap using all-natural ingredients, followed by a hydrating body massage and olive facial mask. Don't miss a dip in the incredible indoor pool – it’s worth a visit for this alone.
9. Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Mandarin Oriental hotels are world-renowned for their ultra-luxury destination spas, and this one is no different. The spa feels otherworldly, with sparkling crystals and soothing waterfalls adorning the space. If you’re seeking extra privacy, the Private Spa Suite is a fantastic option with a private hydrotherapy bath, steam room, treatment area, changing room, and separate lounge. Enjoy a pamper session with friends for up to three hours, which also includes two hours of treatment and refreshments.
10. Miraval The Red Sea, Shura Island
The time has finally come – Miraval The Red Sea is now welcoming visitors to Shura Island. Part of Hyatt’s luxury portfolio, the Miraval brand continues to redefine the future of wellbeing through immersive experiences that blends intentional living, mindfulness and personal transformation. And now, the world’s most renowned name in transformative, adults-only wellbeing has arrived in Saudi Arabia.
Central to the guest journey at Miraval is the Life in Balance Spa. The space spans a jaw-dropping 40,000 square feet, standing out as the largest dedicated wellness facility on Shura Island. Within the holistic sanctuary, guests can luxuriate in the 39 private treatment rooms, whilst experiencing signature therapies that are enriched by local traditions, including specialised Hammam rituals, desert-inspired scrubs and wellness treatments.
