The Middle East is emerging as a global hub for wellness, with the MENA region now ranking #1 globally for growth in spa use, and the UAE the fastest growing wellness market in the region, says Mark Sands, VP of Wellness, Six Senses.
“Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the wellness economy is valued in the billions with wellness tourism alone growing at approximately 66 per cent annually as locals and visitors alike are rapidly embracing holistic practices. This Middle Eastern emphasis on luxury, high-tech, and holistic wellness is influencing how the world views wellness, with a ripple effect to destinations like Europe, Asia, and the Americas.”
Six Senses is realising considered and purposeful growth in the Middle East with the opening of two new properties. Six Senses Amaala, Six Senses The Palm, Dubai and Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina will join Six Senses Zighy Bay and Six Senses Southern Dunes.
Since opening in 2008, the first spa in the region at Six Senses Zighy Bay has offered a full spectrum of experiences, including nine treatment rooms, two Arabian hammams, steam rooms, saunas, ice caves, and a holistic menu of local and signature therapies delivered by skilled international practitioners.
Opening in 2026, properties like Six Senses Amaala and Six Senses The Palm, Dubai are at the forefront of this movement, offering state-of-the-art facilities and treatments that reflect the rise of wellness in the region. Guests can explore a wide range of wellness offerings, from traditional hammams to cutting-edge fitness centres, all designed to promote health and rejuvenation.
Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina continues this innovation. From the first brick to the 122nd floor, wellness is integrated into every detail. Across 61,250 square feet spanning four levels, offerings include hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and sound healing on the Longevity level, while the Horizon level on the 109th floor features a lap pool with the highest city views of any residential building in Dubai.
“The future of hospitality is holistic,” wellness pioneer Anna Bjurstam summarises. “Gone is the quick fix mindset, and in its place, we’re seeing well-being become an intentional strategy of our guests’ everyday lives. Millennials and Gen Z are spending disproportionately on wellness, meanwhile 84 per cent of the US population and 94 per cent of people in China say wellness is a ‘top’ or ‘important’ priority. In the UK, this is true of 79 per cent, with 76 per cent joining the gym to improve their mental health. This demonstrates how people are looking for a wellness ecosystem both when at home and as they travel – somewhere their well-being is considered throughout their entire experience. It’s moved from doing wellness, to being well.”