In the ever-changing hospitality industry, which continuously experiences a resurgence in the renovation, the wellness-focused design has emerged as a growing trend where guest experience and treatment carry equal importance as the surroundings, they are in.

This concept is primarily based on infusing wellness into the design with the goal of unfolding narratives and creating spaces that evoke positivity and subtly heighten awareness of guests and visitors.

Chiva-Som’s flagship in the Middle East, Zulal Wellness Resort, designed in harmony with its surroundings, has taken on the trend of wellness design to reflect on the rich heritage of Qatar ‎in a contemporary manner.

The resort, brought to life by Qatar's premier master developers, Msheireb Properties and known for its Arabic meaning, pure water, was conceived and inspired by the integration of natural elements; land, sea, and shelter, all of which are reflected into every architectural element.

Zulal’s landscape was designed to seamlessly blend into its coastal desert setting. The design concept was driven by the extensive use of natural materials including gravel and sand as well as textured concrete paving to compliment the resort’s surroundings.

The wellness-focused design was also driven by the water element which was infused through the implementation of majestic lagoons and oases at key zones throughout the resort, making it the focal element in the design concept.

From the exterior, which is tinted with shades of Qatar’s beautiful desert, designed to resemble sand dunes right to interior walk paths engraved with the “Sidra” tree leaves and windows that are carved with the infamous “Mashrabiye” pattern, Zulal’s design is a beautiful integration to Qatar’s landscape.

The carefully choreographed spaces of the resort follow a courtyard typology, designed to offer a seamless flow of open spaces, and reflect on Qatar’s traditional villages.

With the Qatari essence in mind, Zulal’s interior spaces were designed with very light and calming materials inspired by the clarity and purity of its picturesque surrounding beach. Earth tones accented by blue hues and shades of traditional wood can be found throughout the resorts’ rooms and living spaces to create a contemporary space that still has touches of traditional arrangements inspired by the “naqsh” pattern. Whether looking out the window or walking through the pathways of Zulal, the resort is surrounded by lush gardens of “Sidra” trees and lapped by crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, all of which are primal ingredients of the Zulal wellness journey.

With the ambition to remain sustainable, Zulal has managed to incorporate recyclable wood and seawater into the resort, thanks to the designer’s efforts to utilize every space to induce the sustainable element.

Furthermore, Zulal’s soft landscape was also designed with wellness at its core, utilizing salt-tolerant and local plants that blend harmoniously with the resort’s coastal desert surroundings. And to truly underpin the treatments offered at Zulal, a medicinal and health-giving plant palette was derived from Zulal’s holistic treatment menu.

Zulal’s landscape approach was truly inspired by its foundation for wellness and has flawlessly linked all three elements of nature. From the entrance to the beach, the wellness venture managed to engulf itself in a scenic setting where the desert meets the sea.

The power of design doesn’t just lie in providing a memorable guest experience but creating a landscape with a purpose. Zulal’s design combines a deep understanding of its mission to promote wellness and a strong narrative that tells the story of Qatar, with all tangible and emotional aspects of a guest’s stay taken into accountability.

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