Wellness retreats have become an essential safety valve in our stressful, fast-paced lives. And knowing there’s a huge demand for them, hotels are increasingly focusing on wellbeing, health and active guests to stay relevant. Luckily, for us that definitely includes some in the UAE. So whether, you’re in Dubai for a visit or live in the emirate and want some tried and tested retreats you can check in to whenever you feel the need to escape and focus on yourself, here are two top picks.
Desert Palm Dubai
Set amidst four lush, manicured polo fields and palm trees that create vast, serene green landscapes, Desert Palm Dubai is an oasis of calm just 20 minutes from Dubai’s bustling urban heart. A well-kept secret, the discreet, luxurious retreat is the perfect hideaway, where the aim is to relax and enjoy a timeless experience. Basically, it’s a refreshing avant-garde contrast to the conventional flamboyance of Dubai’s skyscrapers and fast-paced business life.
The Amenities
The 160-acre private estate, which was originally created as a haven for owner Ali Albwardy’s personal enjoyment of polo, has become a firmly established retreat, spa and fitness destination in the UAE. The boutique hotel features 38 guest suites and villas, an infinity swimming pool and organic-specialised treatments at LIME spa. Then there’s RARE, the fine dining restaurant that masters Argentine-style grills. There’s also a relaxed poolside brasserie, the chic RED lounge bar or the outdoor Polo bar. And of course, as it’s equestrian-themed, there’s a riding school and stabling facilities for over 300 horses.
The Fitness Centre
The Stables Fitness Centre also boasts an outdoor running/mountain biking circuit, two tennis courts, a squash court, a multipurpose outdoor court, a beach wood rubber floor, kinesis training system and a dedicated strength training section. The NormaTec PULSE Recovery System, dynamic compression devises for recovery and rehab used worldwide for rapid recovery for the world’s elite athletes, coaches and trainers, is also offered at the fitness centre. Plus, multiple tech devices are made available for guests looking for fitness inspiration while working out. Smart gym-goers can enjoy Technogym’s Wellness Key, a USB-type device available for members that can be plugged into Technogym machinery anywhere to record and track personal results, remember goals and even store specialised workouts assigned by a personal trainer in their absence.
The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City
If you’re looking for a tranquil oasis right in the heart of bustling Dubai, where you can focus on your wellbeing, The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City should be on your radar. An entire floor dedicated to wellbeing, The Heavenly Spa by Westin, which includes the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, is the ideal urban wellness retreat. The two rooftop swimming pools, where you can unwind and relax, also make perfect additions.
The Treatments
It’s all about resetting, recharging and pampering at The Heavenly Spa by Westin, where there’s a special emphasis on the natural ingredients and products used in every treatment. For the first time in the UAE, the spa has named Farm House Fresh, a range internationally renowned for its natural and organic ingredients. as their signature product provider. Plus, the diverse spa menu features over 20 signature treatments, all carefully curated to offer unique benefits to the body and mind. What’s more, the menu is constantly evolving to offer new spa techniques, trends and new product launches.
As well as the dedicated female and male areas, additional facilities include a sauna, steam room and dedicated couples section. There are suites to accommodate side-by-side massages, duo hammam rooms, as well as a wet area with two hot tubs, two sensory showers and an array of heated loungers.
The Gym
The state-of-the art gym, WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, is brimming with the latest machines from Technogym and is complemented by a fully equipped group exercise studio. Guests can pick from a packed schedule of the hottest exercise classes trending in the world of fitness.
