The Rise of Wellness

Where to recharge in style in the UAE.
In a city that never stops scrolling, swiping, dining and dancing, the need to unplug and recharge has never been more essential. Enter the rise of luxury spa so immersive they feel like full scale wellness retreats. Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifestyle imperative for your body, mind and soul. The UAE has positioned itself as a sanctuary for beauty and wellness, offering everything from high-tech healing to ancient rituals reborn in marble-clad temples of serenity.
Whether you’re battling burnout, seeking solace from screen time, or simply craving a delicious dose of “me-time,” these 13 sensational spas will wrap you in robes, drench you in oils, and massage your aches and pains away.
Talise Ottoman Spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai – A Pampering Palace
Step into a world of Arabian opulence at this majestic spa nestled within the palatial Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Inspired by Ottoman traditions, the design alone will leave you breathless, with marble arches, glittering mosaics, and candlelit corridors.
Signature treatment: Royal Ottoman Hammam, a centuries-old ritual with steam, bubbles, scrubbing, and a sense of rebirth.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, call +971 4 453 0456.
The Pearl Spa, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach – Where Luxury Meets the Sea
This soothing sanctuary is known for its bespoke treatments and sea-inspired therapies. The design fuses Arabian glamour with calming coastal vibes.
Signature treatment: Desert Rose Radiance Facial, a botanical burst of hydration using local rose oils and quartz rollers.
Jumeirah 2, Dubai, call +971 4 270 7805.
Anantara Spa, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – A Mirage of Magic in the Liwa Desert
This spa is a tranquil desert fortress offering panoramic dune views, candlelit rooms, and exotic Middle Eastern rituals that feel straight out of Arabian Nights.
Signature treatment: Ancient Desert Journey, a head-to-toe ritual using desert sand scrubs and warm date oil massages.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert, Abu Dhabi, call +971 2 886 2088.
The Spa at Palazzo Versace Dubai – Where Glamour Meets Indulgence
With white and gold interiors, mosaic floors, and Versace everything, this spa offers the perfect excuse to live your most lavish life – even in slippers.
Signature treatment: Diamond Microdermabrasion Facial, turn back time with a glow that even Donatella would approve.
Al Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai, call +971 4 556 8750.
Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Dubai – An Urban Escape Cocooned in Green
Nestled by the Dubai Creek, Amara feels like a secret garden where every treatment is tailor-made and every therapist, a magician.
Signature treatment: Amara Signature Massage with rose, frankincense, or amber oils to align energy and elevate mood.
Dubai Creek Club Street, call +971 4 602 1660.
Six Senses Spa, Zighy Bay (just over the border)
Okay, it’s in Oman, but worth the border hop. A cliffside sanctuary where treatments happen in raw stone villas by the sea. Expect barefoot bliss and mountain-meets-ocean healing.
Signature treatment: Holistic Anti-Stress Ritual, Himalayan salt scrubs, sound healing, and deep tissue release.
Musandam Peninsula, Oman, call +968 2673 5888.
Saray Spa, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai – A Hidden Jewel on Top of the World
A hidden jewel in the heart of the world’s tallest 5-star hotel, Saray is where old-world Arabian healing meets 21st-century techniques. Think frankincense-scented steam and gold-drenched facials.
Signature treatment: Arabian Oud Body Scrub, an aromatic ritual with regional ingredients and velvety oils.
Business Bay, Dubai, call +971 4 414 6754.
The EDITION Spa, Abu Dhabi – Minimalist Magic with Major Results
A cutting-edge wellness space that mixes sleek architecture with spiritual restoration. The spa’s signature? Discretion and transformation.
Signature treatment: The Signature Crystal Therapy, a chakra-balancing experience with energised gems and light therapy.
Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, call +971 2 208 0000.
Heavenly Spa, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi – Rise up to Wellness Gods
True to its name, this spa is a stairway to the wellness gods (seriously.) With ocean views and dreamy white interiors, it’s the ideal spot for pre-wedding glow-ups or post-breakup recovery.
Signature treatment: Heavenly Aroma Massage, Swedish-style strokes paired with bespoke aromatherapy blends.
Al Sufouh, Dubai, call +971 4 511 7901.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace – Royal Beauty Personified
More than a spa: it’s a royal beauty lab. Set in the iconic Emirates Palace, this is the place for those who want their wellness with a diamond-studded edge.
Signature treatment: The “Essence of the Garden City”, a herbal exfoliation and Malay massage with hot compress using locally blended Jamu oil.
Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, call +971 2 690 9000.
Nature Life Spa, Rixos Premium Dubai – A True Turkish Experience
Turkish hammams, Himalayan salt rooms, and fire & ice therapy; this place is like a Netflix series you can feel in your bones. Nature Life fuses traditional wellness with high-end facilities.
Signature treatment: Royal Turkish Hammam, exfoliation, foam, massage and a dreamy scalp ritual.
JBR, Dubai, +971 4 520 0000.
Anjana Spa, Rixos Saadiyat Island – Barefoot Beachfront Luxury
The sister spa to Nature Life, but with a beachfront twist. Saadiyat means “happiness”, and this spa delivers it in spades, with rituals influenced by both East and West.
Signature treatment: Sultan’s Ritual, Hammam meets Swedish massage, with rose-infused oils and silk scrubs.
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, call +971 2 492 2222.
Rayya Wellness, The Retreat Sofitel the Palm Dubai – Cutting Edge Technical Wellness
A holistic haven on The Palm where Eastern philosophies meet scientific innovation. From energy healing to IV drips, Rayya is for the spiritually curious and body-conscious alike.
Signature treatment: Healing Hands Massage with Energy Alignment, part massage, part emotional reset.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, call +971 4 524 7777.
Whether you’re looking to rebalance your chakras, soak in rose-scented bliss, or simply float in a sea of bubbles with a view of the Burj, the UAE has a wellness retreat with your name on it. Your glow-up starts here.