Escape the ordinary with these soul-soothing wellness retreats.
If you’re craving a reset but don’t want to venture too far, we’ve rounded up the 6 wellness resorts to visit with easy access from Dubai that promise serenity, self-care, and stunning surroundings. From Oman’s rugged mountains to Sri Lanka’s golden coasts, these wellness destinations are a short flight away and worth every moment of travel.
Whether you’re after Ayurvedic healing, sunrise yoga, or simply a break from the city grind, here are five resorts offering restorative escapes, each within just a few hours from Dubai.
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1. Six Senses Zighy Bay – Oman
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, Six Senses Zighy Bay is a tranquil paradise just a 2-hour drive and boat ride from Dubai. This award-winning eco-resort is famous for its cliffside arrival (you can paraglide in!) and holistic wellness programmes.
At its acclaimed spa, guests can enjoy everything from oxygen facials to detox retreats. The setting—traditional Omani-style villas with private pools—is just the cherry on top. The resort also offers wellness screenings, personalised nutrition, and sleep optimisation to ensure you’re rebalanced inside and out.
2. Habitas AlUla – Saudi Arabia
Tucked into the otherworldly rock formations of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, Habitas AlUla offers an extraordinary blend of natural beauty and transformational wellness. Just a 3-hour flight from Dubai, it’s perfect for an extended weekend escape with a purpose.
Here, guests immerse themselves in sound healing, desert yoga, and spa rituals influenced by ancient Arabian traditions. The Earth-toned villas are sustainably built and designed to harmonise with the dramatic desertscape, encouraging mindfulness at every turn.
3. COMO Maalifushi – Maldives
If barefoot luxury is your wellness language, COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives is a short flight and seaplane hop away from Dubai. This serene resort is renowned for its signature COMO Shambhala Retreat, where daily yoga, guided meditation, and bespoke spa treatments are part of the rhythm of island life.
You’ll find nourishing cuisine, overwater villas, and holistic therapies all tailored to help you disconnect from stress and reconnect with yourself—ideal for a wellness break that’s as indulgent as it is intentional.
4. The Farm at San Benito – Philippines
Situated among lush jungle just outside Manila, The Farm at San Benito is one of Asia’s most respected medical wellness resorts. Although a bit further afield, it’s well worth the five-hour flight from Dubai for those seeking deep healing and long-term health benefits.
Expect medically supervised detox programmes, integrative medicine, plant-based cuisine, and transformative treatments that combine science with Eastern healing. From cellular therapy to colonics and energy healing, The Farm takes wellness to an entirely different level.
5. Shangri-La Hambantota – Sri Lanka
Nestled along Sri Lanka’s legendary Spice Route, Shangri-La Hambantota is more than a seaside escape—it’s a sanctuary for the senses. Spanning 58 hectares of lush gardens and coconut groves, the resort is home to CHI Ayurveda Spa, offering a holistic approach to wellness.
Begin your journey with a private consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor, then indulge in bespoke therapies using 100% natural ingredients. Whether it’s a tension-relieving massage, a detoxifying body wrap, or a full-day renewal ritual, CHI Spa is all about realignment—of body, mind, and spirit.
Wellness here extends beyond the spa. Guests can greet the day with sunrise yoga, cool off in one of three serene pools, or get active in the state-of-the-art health club. Jogging trails wind through the verdant grounds, while a one-of-a-kind artisan village offers the chance to engage in mindful local crafts.
All this is set against the shimmering Indian Ocean, with expansive rooms and suites featuring panoramic views, private balconies, and Spa Ceylon bath amenities to carry your spa experience into your own private oasis.
6. Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som – Qatar
Located just an hour north of Doha, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is Qatar’s premier wellness destination, blending traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine with modern holistic practices. Managed by the renowned Chiva-Som group, this expansive resort offers two distinct experiences:​
Zulal Serenity: An adults-only sanctuary focusing on personalised wellness retreats, including detox, burnout recovery, and fitness programmes.​
Zulal Discovery: A family-friendly retreat offering wellness experiences for all ages, from children to adults. Activities include floating meditation, pottery, and digital detox practices, encouraging family engagement.
The resort provides twin treatment rooms for parent-child spa experiences, ensuring a family-centred holiday. Despite being a dry resort, it offers delicious and healthy organic food options. Children are made to feel special upon arrival, fostering their independence and importance.
Why should I invest in Wellness?
Picture this. You’ve been working flat out, glued to a screen all day, juggling emails, deadlines, and whatever else life throws your way.
Now imagine escaping to a beautifu retreat where the only thing on your to-do list is to breathe, stretch, eat well, and maybe even switch your phone off for a bit. Sounds dreamy, right?
That’s exactly why wellness retreats are worth investing in. People are craving that kind of reset more than ever. It’s not just a bit of pampering, it’s proper self-care.
Mental health’s finally getting the attention it deserves, and folks are realising they need to step away from the madness now and again to look after themselves.
From a business angle, it’s a smart move too. The wellness industry’s booming and retreats tend to attract people who are happy to spend a bit more for quality experiences, especially if it means coming back home feeling recharged.
With things like yoga, meditation, forest walks and healthy food on offer, it’s not a passing fad. It’s part of a bigger shift in how we want to live.
So yeah, if you’re thinking about putting money into something meaningful and profitable, this is a solid bet.
