Why This Surprising Location Should Be Your Next Wellness Retreat

The lounge chair of my dreams is located halfway across the globe from my Brooklyn home, situated in the luxurious Talise Spa at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah resort complex. Although it resembles a high-end dentist’s chair, the Gharieni Satori wellness lounger is actually a German-engineered therapy device—and Talise features the only one in the Middle East. While some travel specifically for destination spas, I would fly 6,800 miles just for 30 minutes of relaxation on the Satori.

Many might not view the Middle East as a (forgive the pun) wellness hotspot, but post-pandemic, a burgeoning market dedicated to mindfulness, sleep retreats, and rehabilitative spa experiences has sprung up in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai at the forefront. The era of custom-made 24-karat gold facial masks is fading, making way for holistic treatments that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Dubai consistently ranks at the top of the “world’s best spa destination” lists in the World Spa Awards, with establishments like Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, and Awaken at the new Atlantis The Royal receiving accolades such as “world’s best Turkish hammam,” “world’s best city resort spa,” and the prestigious “world’s best resort spa.” For those keeping track, Dubai is now on par with wellness powerhouses like Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, and the USA.

In 2023, under new management, Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah earned a regional WSA “top hotel spa” designation after implementing updated wellness pillars—mental health, mindful movement, “internal well-being” coaching that focuses on sleep and nutrition, and advanced therapy with innovative equipment like the Satori, alongside traditional massage and facial offerings. Guests can request services like aura readings, hypnotherapy, light therapy, various yoga practices, qi gong, tai chi, reiki, crystal healing, lymphatic flow therapy, and personalized detox programs. This extensive menu can easily fill an entire week’s itinerary, making it perfect for a layover, and it’s attracting both travelers and locals looking for a staycation.

After a day of exploring Madinat Jumeirah, which comprises four luxurious resorts nestled on a private beach of fine white sand, I decided to indulge in a lymphatic drainage massage and vibroacoustic therapy, as one does. Unfamiliar with the details, I embraced the “ignorance is bliss” approach to spontaneous travel. Bliss arrived first through the Satori treatment, designed to “enhance sleep and foster tranquility”—clinically beneficial for those healing from stress, anxiety, and addiction—utilizing vibroacoustic therapy. Essentially, it induces a meditative state similar to a power nap, achieved through timed sine-wave vibrations from the chair that envelop the body and binaural sound, crafting a 3D auditory experience. This technology aims to synchronize the left and right brain, quieting the “thinking mind” and enabling deep relaxation or dreamless slumber.

The experience is highly customizable, allowing seekers of serenity to select from a wide array of nonverbal soundscapes and spoken-word guided meditations, including breathwork and chakra realignment. All you need to do is lie back. After a packed itinerary in Dubai that included visits to both the old (Al Seef and Al Fahidi heritage sites) and the new (Museum of the Future), I was eager to surrender completely. With my cozy spa bathrobe securely tied and my nap preferences set, I reclined in the chair and let my mind quiet. Twenty-five minutes later, after deep tissue vibrations, gentle heat adjustments, and an emotional healing meditation, I emerged—though did I? Had I actually slept? Was I drooling? Regardless, I returned to reality feeling rejuvenated—my mind and eyes clear, as if I had blinked and seen everything in high definition, wearing a big, goofy grin. Is this what hypnosis feels like? I mused. Can I get one of these for my home?

The subsequent lymphatic drainage massage was more in line with what I was accustomed to—having a person work on my body—yet the masseuse remarked that she could “sense my energy entering the room.” She noted I seemed overwhelmed—perhaps due to the emotional healing I had just undergone?—and reassured me that it was perfectly normal to process these feelings. In this safe space, she focused on my jaw, chest, arms, legs, and groin, identifying areas of “anger and disappointment.” My thoughts drifted, trying to absorb these eerily accurate observations; it wasn’t until the massage concluded, and a warm cup of ginger tea was placed in my hands, that I recognized the extent of discomfort I had been carrying—and how this one extended visit could bring such tranquility.

Essential tips before your visit

Madinat Jumeirah resembles a mini-city in Dubai, featuring its own souk, a private beach, over 40 bars and restaurants, and four unique accommodations: the Emirati summerhouses of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, the family-oriented Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, the casual beach hotel Jumeirah Al Naseem, and the luxurious palace experience at Jumeirah Al Qasr. Talise Spa is situated within Jumeirah Al Qasr and can be reached by pathway or—preferably—by water on an abra, a traditional wooden boat.