Located on the tranquil northern tip of Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som offers a unique blend of ancient Arabic Islamic medicine and modern wellness practices, which makes its approach to heal the body, mind and spirit, truly pioneering, says Manu Prmar.
At first glance, the utter tranquility of the resort blows one away, personifying in every corner that the word ‘Zulal’ comes from Arabic meaning ‘pure natural water’. Reflecting a sense of purity, Zulal’s wellness philosophy is founded on six connected pillars: fitness, physiotherapy, spa, holistic health, aesthetic beauty, and nutrition. This philosophy is brought to life by its reposing environment, first-class services and expertly-trained personal wellness consultants, to support guests on their journey towards holistic wellness with tailor-made retreat programmes.
Zulal offers two types of retreats: Zulal Serenity (for adults seeking bespoke experiences), and Zulal Discovery (for families and emphasises family wellness through immersive experiences). Its premise is based on a bunched approach to combine Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) specialists (an alternative healing system that prescribes herbal medicines, dietary practices, and spiritual therapies based on body type analysis to treat ailments, recorded in The Canon of Medicine, a medical encyclopedia written in 1025 AD by the Persian physician-philosopher Ibn Sina), Ayurveda doctors, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) specialists, with full backing of a medical team consisting of health and wellness advisors.
And Zulal has gone a step ahead by planting gardens filled with herbs and plants mentioned in the Koran, honouring the Prophet’s sayings to capture the herbs’ healing properties. These lush green spaces serve as open-air pharmacies.
The resort’s spa and wellness facilities are unmatched, featuring separate male and female areas with state-of-the-art equipment, saunas, steam rooms, Himalayan salt therapy rooms, snow caves, and hammams.
The three-day transformational journey
Each day began with Pranayama breathing, which set the tone for a day of tranquillity and inner peace. The oriental scalp massages were indulgent, providing a deep sense of relaxation and balance.
The fitness pavilion at the resort is modern and advanced, featuring a Pilates studio and a fully equipped physiotherapy section with a Gyrotonic Expansion System. My favourite experience was physiotherapy, which helped relieve my neck and shoulder tension. Additionally, Zulal offers various facilities such as Himalayan salt rooms, arctic rooms (which are believed to be beneficial for skin health and inflammation), a Watsu pool (a type of hydrotherapy), an aesthetic centre for skin and beauty treatments, and many more amenities.
The resort’s dedication to holistic wellness was evident in every aspect of my stay. The daily workouts and yoga sessions were invigorating and helped me infuse energy into my body and mind. The fusion of these practices contributed to a harmonious and balanced experience, aligning with Zulal’s commitment to holistic well-being. The resort itself was an oasis, a sanctuary that not only embraced the beauty of nature but harnessed its power to revive the essence of the human mind, body, and spirit. In a word, a total package.
Home away from home
The culinary experience at Zulal reflects its wellness philosophy, offering delicious and nutritious dishes across four dining outlets. The blend of Arabian hospitality with a cosmopolitan outlook created an environment that felt like a home away from home. Zulal’s wellness approach relies on eating healthy that is essential for a wholesome lifestyle. They offer gastronomical journeys that combine fresh produce to create nutritious and delicious meals. Guests at the Serenity section can enjoy their exclusive all-day dining restaurant, tea house, and the resort’s other dining options. The Food Palette programme helps guests maintain a balanced diet by providing gluten-free and vegan food based on their health consultation. One of their must-visit restaurants is Acacia, which serves meat, high-end vegan, and gluten-free cuisine in the evenings.
On the other hand, Al-Sidr & Ajoun restaurant offers a diverse culinary experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, always mindful of Zulal’s philosophy for a balanced diet based on fresh produce. They also cater to guests on special programmes focusing on portion size or gut repair. I ate healthier than I had in months, the spa treatments were incredible, and I felt truly energised and reinvigorated after my three nights there.
The look and feel
Zulal comes packed with some effortless charm too. The main Serenity Pavilion, House of Wisdom, has some fascinating details, such as an Anish Kapoor sculpture.
After leaving Zulal Wellness Resort, visitors feel like the best version of themselves. The transformative power of the retreat lingers, and the resort is highly recommended for all wellness enthusiasts. It’s not just a place but an enriching experience encapsulating the body, the mind and nourishing the soul.
I highly recommend Zulal Wellness Resort to anyone looking for a transformative retreat that blends ancient wisdom with modern wellness practices.
