Escape to retreats and destinations that will put your wellbeing first and refocus your mind and body.
Pura Eco Retreat
The UAE’s first ever luxury eco-retreat is now open for visitors, offering guests the perfect place to relax and unwind. Situated on Jubail Island in Abu Dubai, this five-start destination provides a picture-perfect backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s abundant mangroves and turquoise waters and a glance of life on Jubail Island as the master development materialises.
The adult-only Pura Eco Retreat is an exclusive hideaway, built with sustainable practices in mind and a holistic approach while offering every conceivable luxury leaving guests feeling pampered from head to toe. The island-inspired wellness retreat focuses on the connection between the mind and body to ensure guests feel fully restored and rejuvenated.
Taking its name from the popular Costa Rican phrase “Pura Vida” – translating to “pure life” – the retreat is home to luxurious and unique accommodations ranging from the Chic Domes, to the Native Tents experience. The Chic Domes are five spacious domes adorned with locally sourced furniture pieces and artwork. Each dome features a king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom and 5-star amenities offering a refined glamping experience. With a minimalist theme and neutral tones, the domes offer scenic views of the mangroves and wilderness, and a colourful cabana offers guests a secluded spot to relax alfresco in the unspoilt nature of the island. Guest can relax around the BBQ for a home-from-home experience as they lay under the stars, or opt to experience the retreat’s fine-dining options. Meanwhile, the Native Tents experience provide rustic accommodation inviting guests to stargaze alongside the tranquil lagoon. Surrounded by mangroves the texts feature a full-size bed, along with lazy seating and fire pits as well as access to luxury bathrooms.
Activities include cycling, kayaking, yoga, stargazing, bird watching and even a private beach exclusively available for overnight guests. This retreat allows guests to escape their busy lives and be at one with nature without having to leave the UAE. The vast landscape has been designed specifically to preserve the unspoilt native flora and fauna, with each hideaway constructed using ethically sourced materials that blend in effortlessly with the natural surroundings.
With sustainability at its core, Pura Eco Retreat has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint by implementing a strictly car-free zone – guests are transported around the retreat on golf carts – re-using and recycling materials, planting more trees, zero use of motorized activities and applying sustainable practices across the retreat that preserve nature and promote environmental awareness. Attempting to raise awareness of sea pollution, the retreat has installed fishing pods to gather litter thrown in the mangroves water.
Ibrahim Al Mannaee, the owner of Pura Eco Retreat says: “Pura’s philosophy of ‘Pure Life’ led us to the unspoilt nature at Jubail Island. In complete harmony with its surroundings, the eco-retreat complements Jubail Island’s vision of co-habiting within nature with minimum impact on the surrounding environment. There was a need within the market for a secluded hideaway, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, where guests can appreciate nature without giving up on the necessary comforts of life – living on Jubail Island offers just that. Pura Eco Retreat provides a window to the future of island life that will soon be realised. We also wanted to complement the Department of Tourism and Culture’s vision for ecotourism and hope that we are on the path to contributing the emirate’s tourism offering. “
The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel
This Dubai-based retreat brings together a five-star resort location with a focus on health and wellbeing. It was the first holistic wellbeing resort in the Middle East, offering an immersive, enchanting experience that allows you to relax, unwind and focus on yourself. Situated on The Palm Jumeirah, the beachfront destination houses 255 boutique rooms all designed with natural elements, earth tones and a harmonising Feng Shui philosophy throughout.
At the heart of the resort is the Rayya Wellness Centre, inspired by a 360-degree holistic wellness concept, offering organic-based products, uplifting rejuvenation experiences and transformational wellness retreats. The unique Rayya Spa features a distinctive array of wellbeing therapies and signature spa treatments, rejuvenating cryotherapy, detoxifying facials and the traditional Hammam. Rayya Wellness offers a range of all-inclusive retreat packages, designed to help improve mental and physical wellbeing. Treatments can take place within our spa and wellness centre, as well as on the beach and other tranquil locations around our luxury Dubai resort.
And when you’re done experiencing treatments and activities, relaxing by the resort’s infinity pool, overlooking the Dubai skyline. The property also features four dining concepts with a range of options promoting healthy gastronomy, serving an array of nutritious food and beverage varieties made from locally-sourced products.
Find out more at theretreatpalmdubai.com.
