Ameer Said, Founder of ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort discusses the UAE’s first fully-integrated health resort.
Mr. Ameer Said
ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort is the UAE’s first fully-integrated health resort, offering a unique and holistic approach to mind and body rejuvenation. Located in the picturesque Al Zorah, Ajman, the luxury resort invites guests to escape on a positive journey, prioritising their health needs with a prevention-over-cure approach. of ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort was founded by Mr. Ameer Said who after losing family members to cancer and living through the global pandemic, realised there was an urgent need for a health-focused resort in the UAE. He set out to create this full-integrated destination, living up to global standards and offering the ultimate luxury to guests. We find out more.
What is your mission with ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort?
ZOYA was born out of a determination to address the ailments of the modern world. As the region’s first fully integrated wellness experience, our main mission is to promote a mentality of prevention over cure through providing integrative and holistic methods to create customised wellbeing retreat journeys. ZOYA’s professional medical and wellbeing experts carry out a full assessment of each guest to create a personalised journey designed to best suit their needs and lifestyle, all within a special space that protects, nourishes, and invigorates the mind, body, and soul.
Why did you feel that the region, in particular the UAE, needed a wellness resort?
Overall patterns and behaviours drastically changed worldwide as a result of the two-year-long pandemic, resulting in a shift in people’s priorities. Regardless of age or health conditions, health and wellness transformed from a luxury to a necessity, focusing on maintaining physical and mental well-being.
The UAE in specific is very fast-paced and often drives people to adopt quite unhealthy lifestyles, resulting in high levels of stress, obesity, diabetes, fatigue, burnout, and general anxiety in all ages. We feel the need to address these issues head-on with a unique and holistic approach to mind and body rejuvenation, offering only the best retreat programs curated by experts and professionals in the field with a proven track record. We have already seen a huge demand from the GCC and the wider Middle East to experience our offering since opening in June. We do see an increase in commitment to regularly invest in improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
How does ZOYA differ from other wellness resorts in the region?
We are the region’s first fully integrated wellness experience, offering a unique and holistic approach to mind and body rejuvenation. Our methods are integrative and holistic, and we have worked with the best in the industry to curate a range of customised wellbeing retreat journeys. At ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort, we combine unique cutting-edge medical science, physiotherapy, first-rate nutrition, and the latest advances in aesthetics to nourish the body and invigorate the mind. Detoxing and therapeutic fasting are central to what we offer, along with physiotherapy, aesthetic medicine, and the right nutrition to boost vitality and vigour, aiding guests to commence their lifelong journey towards rest, relaxation, and better health.
How have your personal experiences influenced your decision to conceptualize the resort and see the project to fruition?
After losing my wife and sister to cancer and witnessing my mother’s suffering and inability to perform daily tasks in her final years, it has become my mission to communicate the importance of prevention over cure, without the need for medication and assistance, and to create a special space that protects, nourishes and invigorates mind, body and soul.
What can guests expect from their stay?
ZOYA is nestled within this prime location at Al Zorah, occupying some 5.4 million square meters of lush coastal land, the lagoons and mangrove forests of Al Zorah are home to an astonishing variety of native marine and plant life, and also shelter flocks of resident and migratory birds.
This allows an essential part of our recreational activities to take place just at our doorstep such as cycling and jogging paths, nature trails, mangroves kayaking, as well as our private beach access to one of the best beaches in the UAE. The elements come together beautifully and harmoniously to bring our vision for ZOYA to life, solidifying our positioning as the ultimate wellness retreat destination.
Tell us about some of the retreats and programs that you offer.
ZOYA presents integrative and holistic methods, with a range of treatments coming together to create customized wellbeing retreat journeys. While enjoying a luxury stay, guests can choose any one of the health optimisation programs to reap the proven benefits such as improved digestion, healthier skin, boosted metabolism, strong immunity, high morale, and more. Each guest’s retreat programme is customised based on a consultation with in-house experts. With nine different retreat programs available, including Wellcation, Detox, Weight Management, Rejuvenation, Get Fit, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Liver Support, Immune Support and Anti-Ageing, there is a retreat program suitable for everyone.
As a first step on the healing journey, doctors and a holistic medical team will assess the vital signs followed by a wellness ambassador who will design a plan that is tailored to the individual. The medical fitness centre at ZOYA features the latest German high-end equipment, and expert staff with experience in the examination and treatment of a wide range of physical dysfunctions and disabilities will help guests meet their fitness goals and improve their mobility and recovery process.
ZOYA offers a healing journey that focuses on healthy weight loss in a serene atmosphere, using the latest scientific advances. Featuring therapeutic fasting for weight loss and the building of powerful new habits supported by mindfulness lectures & workshops, this revolutionary program is built on three key pillars: toxin removal, natural and IV therapies, and a tranquil healing environment supported by mental guidance.
Our 1,500 square-meter holistic wellness spa offers holistic and therapeutic services and spa treatments, including hydrotherapy, Turkish Hammam and scrub room, infrared sauna, Finnish sauna, Ozone sauna, Kneipp, invigorating baths, steam bath, cold warm indoor pools and experience showers.
At ZOYA, only the freshest, seasonal ingredients are used at the plant-based restaurant and juice bar, where a strict “conscious food policy” turns superb ingredients into therapeutic culinary experiences. The resort’s master nutritionists and chef combine the healthiest ingredients into fine-dining menus tailored to guests’ needs and wellness journeys. Specialities include enzyme-rich cold-pressed juices, nutritious organic salads, and low-calorie desserts all free of carbs and sugar.
For guests who are not able to stay for extended periods of time, what programs does the resort offer to accommodate their needs?
To get a glimpse of the vast offering at ZOYA, we recommend guests to try out our Wellcation and Day Discovery retreat programs. The ZOYA Discovery Package is ideal for guests that are on a tight schedule. The package includes a one-night stay in a premium room, offering integrative medicine consultation, measurement of vital signs, oxygen therapy, a 60-minute massage treatment, as well as access to the spa facilities and yoga and spiritual healing sessions.
For a slightly extended stay, the Wellcation retreat is a two-night program designed to give the body a healthy break by combining relaxation and unwinding with mindful breathing and living the moment. As a result, the skin will become radiant, digestion will be improved, and stress levels will drop, leaving the body alkalized and cleansed.
From your perspective, why do you deem it crucial to prioritise health and wellbeing as a whole?
Maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul is fundamental to our overall wellbeing. Research has shown that a greater sense of wellbeing directly relates to increased physical and mental benefits, such as lower incidences of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and sleeping ailments, as well as increased productivity and creativity in both our professional and personal lives. The journey toward peace, balance, and rejuvenation comes with a holistic focus on all elements of our being. Unfortunately, we tend to be more aware of our physical health and wellbeing, as the effects are external, and many of us tend to forget that without a healthy mind and soul, we are not able to transcend into an elevated state of wellness.
At ZOYA, we combine unique cutting-edge medical science, physiotherapy, conscious nutrition, and the latest advances in aesthetics to nourish the body and invigorate the mind. Our methods are non-toxic, non-invasive, drug-free, integrative, and holistic, offering various treatments to create bespoke wellbeing retreat journeys.
