Review: Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som

Why book?

Quite literally a hidden oasis in the heart of Qatar’s desert landscape, Zulal Wellness Resort is a pretty unique place to delve into a wellness journey. Secluded on the northern tip of the country, the resort blends traditional Arabic and Islamic design, philosophy and medicine for a one-of-a-kind stay.

Set the scene

Surrounded by desert dunes and beaches, the resort provides a haven for those seeking a lifestyle reset. The large complex is built in traditional Qatari style desert architecture, with flat roofs, high ceilings, straight edges and simple structures. Inside, the interior becomes much more sleek and modern, with neutral tones broken up by pots of greenery, patterned textiles and large windows.

The backstory

The resort is the Middle Eastern branch of the world renowned wellness retreat based in Thailand, known as Chiva Som. But the unique story lies in its embrace of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) as its philosophy. It’s the first wellness destination in the Middle East to do so. The ancient lifestyle philosophy aims to nurture health and spiritual well-being with nutrition, mind-body therapies, physical movement, herbal medicine, and connection with nature. A full team of specialists and practitioners aim to bring this movement to life out in the desert of Qatar, making it a truly unique experience.

The rooms

Across the two separate parts of the resort, there are 180 rooms and suites purposely placed between the desert, sea and resort’s lagoon, with nature views out every window. The design is all about clean lines, natural textures and a cool color palette, blended with Qatari motifs. Each room has large beds, lounge areas and spacious bathrooms.

Food and drink

With a belief that eating well fuels a wholesome and healthy life, the culinary experience is full of freshness and rich nutritional value. The all-day dining restaurants and tea house celebrate Arabian cuisine with traditional cooking techniques and locally sourced produce. From intimate candle-lit dinners to casual beachside eats, you can eat wherever you please.

The spa

The resort has much more than just your casual spa. The Zulal experience is all about taking advantage of the incredible wellness retreats, treatments and activities on offer. The resident practitioners and specialists draw upon the wisdom from the East with services including, a traditional hammam, ayurvedic massages, energy-based therapy sessions and holistic fitness classes.

The neighborhood/area

You don’t really come to the Zulal Wellness Resort to explore the nearby neighborhood. Set amidst the desert on the northern tip of Qatar, it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of Doha. But, if the tickle for adventure presents, then there are some beautiful beaches and remote sand dunes to explore nearby.

The service

The resort prides itself on knowledge and personable staff and experts. From specialists and practitioners to world class chefs, the resort tries to provide the best service for its guests across each level of the accommodation and wellness retreat.

For families

The resort has an entire section particularly created for families. The Zulal Discovery is known as the “family wellness retreat”, which aims to build meaningful connections and relationships. There are endless opportunities for entertainment and bonding activities, including kayaking, dancing, arts and crafts, and spa treatments for all ages.

Eco effort

Zulal Wellness Resort has a robust sustainability practice in place. The resort uses a desalination plant to provide water, and it recycles greywater for use in irrigation. It also has its own power generation facility that runs on renewable energy sources.

Accessibility

The Zulal Wellness Resort is designed to be fully accessible, regardless of physical abilities. The resort features rooms with lowered beds and roll-in showers, as well as accessible public spaces and amenities.