The Qatari hotel welcomes adults and families in the luxury location.
Silence. The kind where you can hear a cucumber drop in a smoothie. At Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, silence isn’t just golden, it’s positively encouraged. This luxury hotel is located in Al Ruwais, Qatar, and has been flexing its holistic health and wellness muscles to visitors from around the world. FACT visited and found it to be a sleek and serene spot.
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is approximately a one-hour drive from Hamad International Airport. The pick-up is smart and smooth, and the further we reach into the desert, the more disconnected we feel. The staff greets us in happy yet hushed tones, and we are reminded that there are no phones (or WiFi) in communal areas. At first, this feels like a test, and eventually, it feels like a triumph.
Her Royal Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is behind the concept – the first of its kind in the Middle East, and an offshoot of Chiva-Som Hua Hin in Thailand. The aim is to share health practices with everyone, young and old. Not many wellness resorts are aimed at families, but here children are welcome. Guests can choose from Zulal Serenity for adults and Zulal Discovery for families. Note: the rooms are on separate sides of the sprawling site, but children are allowed in the restaurants.
Rooms and suites
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is home to 180 rooms and suites. On arrival, we are impressed with the personal touches, from the water bottle with our name to the complimentary white clothes.
Despite the rooms being a thing of beauty, the emphasis is placed on venturing outside and admiring the natural beauty. We checked into the Serenity Junior Suite, which spans 115 square metres and blends the indoors and outdoors. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of light, and the plunge pool on the terrace opens out onto the desert and plants.
An understated elegance fills the space, and a muted, minimalist aesthetic can be found in every corner. The bathroom is big enough for two, with a rainfall shower and bathtub with salts. The king-size bed is melt-into-magical, and in the soothing silence, we drift into the best night’s sleep we’ve had all year.
Restaurants and bars
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is home to a range of restaurants. The meals are surprisingly spectacular, each more impressive than the next. Despite the menus being dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free and serving smaller portions, we never feel hungry or give in to temptation. The chefs are talented at using natural ingredients to make sweet dishes as well as drinks.
Al Sidr and Aizoon are the all-day dining restaurants, and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Acacia’s fine-dining restaurant showcases Qatari-inspired dishes. What sets the dining experience apart is how the consultants communicate with the chefs – so if you’ve been advised to cut out or contribute something to your diet, the waiters will suggest it with a smile. All in all, the hotel offers MICHELIN Star-worthy meals, and make you rethink your eating habits. And, if I could have them cook for me every day, I would.
Facilities
At Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the spa and fitness facilities are at the heart of the hotel. When we check-in, the consultant asks us questions about our general health, and a TAIM expert offers an Arabic and Islamic Medicine perspective. To make the most of your stay, it is crucial to communicate your concerns, as this is when a personalised programme is curated.
The resort is skewed more towards wellness rather than fitness. The spa spans 13,000 square metres, and you can book a massage every day. The highlights, however, were the one-on-one workout sessions, from personal training to TRX.
The team are passionate about creating a well-rounded experience. Look out for daily activities including cooking classes, stargazing and health talks. Plus, there is access to the sea, bikes to get around, and a wow-worthy library.
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som: where the silence speaks volumes and feeds the body, mind and soul.
GO: Visit www.chivasom.com for more information.
