A new integrative retreat named Zoya Health and Wellbeing has opened in a protected nature reserve in Ajman, in the UAE.

The brainchild of Saudi entrepreneur Ameer Said, Zoya is a new health, medical wellness and fitness concept designed to set the gold standard for wellness in the Middle East. Said lost both his wife and mother to cancer, which inspired him to invest in preventative health care in their memory.

In the latest issue of Spa Business, he explains how he brought in spa and wellness consultancy and contract management company Premedion to handle the operations.

“Zoya is my life’s work,” Said explains, “our wellness methods are integrative and holistic and we use a range of treatments to create customised wellbeing journeys for our guests.

“Detoxing and therapeutic fasting are central to what we offer, combined with physiotherapy, aesthetic medicine and the right nutrition to boost vitality.”

Premedion CEO Dr Yasser Moshref adds: “Zoya addresses the ailments of the modern world by offering preventative rather than curative treatments. We provide exceptional support to enable our guests to live well without the need for medication and assistance.”

The 61-room resort falls under the umbrella of the Al Zorah mixed-use hospitality and residential development – co-developed by the Government of Ajman and Lebanese developer Solidere International.

Wellness facilities
Zoya is anchored by an integrative wellness facility complete with 45 treatment rooms comprising an integrative medicine clinic, aesthetic and anti-ageing centre, chronic disease management and diagnostics services, physiotherapy and a medi-spa.

This is complemented by two separate-sex spas, a mixed-sex spa, beauty services, fitness facilities, yoga and meditation spaces, a library and lecture room and a vegan restaurant and juice bar.

Thermal facilities include a hammam, steam sauna, infrared sauna, Finnish saunas and warm and cold therapy pools, alongside whirl tubs, medical bath, Kneipp pathways and experience and Vichy showers.

The luxury spa offers traditional healing therapies supplied by Biologique Recherche and Voya.

Premedion has also chosen to work with Gharieni, Proxomed, Weyergans, Trautwein and
Narvi to source equipment for the spa.

Fitness is a key pillar of Zoya, so guests are given access to a medical gym, aqua gym, boot camp sessions, PT services and up to 60 weekly fitness classes that include cycling, water sports and golf activities.

Personalised journeys
Zoya provides a variety of wellbeing treatments that focus on the organisation’s three main pillars – Prevention and Rehabilitation, Fitness and Recreation and Pampering.

Packages include detox, therapeutic fasting, prevention, physical rehabilitation, aesthetics and anti-ageing programmes.

The length of these retreats at Zoya varies from three to 14 nights.

Each guest is treated individually and starts their journey with a medical consultation, diagnostics testing and wellness assessment. This is followed by a bespoke nutrition plan and personalised treatment programmes, alongside an aftercare programme for at-home use.

The bigger picture
Premedion’s Moshref revealed that there are plans to grow the Zoya concept with two more locations planned in Salalah, Oman, and in Al Taef, Saudi Arabia.

Plus, the consultancy is also diversifying the portfolio with a fitness-focused Zoya facility in Dubai, called Zoya Sports City. Construction is due to start on this project by Q3 this year, with an opening projected for 2025.

"The Zoya project represents a very important step in Premedion's strategic focus on the Arabian health and spa market, which will continue to be an important and growing market for us in the future,” he concludes.