How The Lana Is Tapping Into Middle Eastern Wellness Trends
From The Lana's rooftop pool, Dubai's skyline shimmers in the cloudless sky. In the distance, towering over Downtown Dubai is the iconic Burj Khalifa, and down below, the city's Marasai Marina gleams as the sunlight hits its pristine fleet of luxury yachts.
Designed by Foster + Partners, The Lana overlooks Marasai Marina.
When The Lana, The Dorchester Collection's first hotel in the Middle East, opened last year, it bought a new approach to hospitality in the region. Rather than shouting 'luxury', The Lana whispers it. The building—a bold, interlocking H-Shaped gem that gleams like a piece of jewellery—was designed by British architects Foster + Partners and it sits in the Business Bay area of the city, marking a new dawn for the area and a confident statement from the Dorchester brand.
The rooftop pool at High Society, The Lana.
Unlike many other hotels in the city, there's no overstated glitz inside the 30-storey hotel, instead it's the epitome of 'quiet luxury'. Interiors across the 225 rooms and suites have been designed by the Parisian duo Gilles & Boissier and ooze sophistication—bedrooms have beautiful detailing, such as pink onyx surfaces, grey-veined marble bathrooms and rose-pink velvet tub chairs. A powdery, barely-there pink is the palette of choice throughout the property—from the sumptuous vases of powder-pink roses in reception to the plaster-pink leather interiors of the lifts, while the carefully curated selection of more than 50 art pieces, commissioned by local and global artists, adds touches of complementary colour.
The lobby's gold artwork by Sophie Coryndon.
One of these is an oversized wall artwork by British artist Sophie Coryndon, found in the lobby. It's the first thing that greets you after you step out of the hotel's Rolls Royce Phantom, which is the top-end transport of choice to pick guests up from the airport. The art's gold textural finish is sculptural, like overlapping waves, echoing the water of the marina outside as well as giving a nod to the hotel's name. It turns out that 'The Lana' has multiple meanings, says The Dorchester. One, in its Arabic translation, evokes a warm sense of belonging. Another means to gently float in calm water. 'To us, it simply represents a place of tranquility, comfort and exceptional hospitality.'
High Society's terrace lounge overlooks the iconic city.
At the 30th-floor rooftop, you can literally dive into the waters of the angular swimming pool. Here, you can relax in a poolside cabana, the city laid out before you, and order sun-themed cocktails from High Society, th adjoining bar and restaurant (the signature 'Secrets of the Archipelago' is an inventive twist on a rum cocktail with pineapple, pink pepper, Campari and coffee).
Inside a couple's treatment room at The Dior Spa at The Lana.
Take the lift down one level to the 29th floor, and you'll enter another one of the hotel's gems: the Dior Spa. The intimate retreat is a paeon to Dior's fashion-rooted luxury: from its navy Toile de Jouy print (found on blankets, curtains and cushions in the therapy rooms) to the circular table of scents in the entrance way. Creamy marble, light wood and floor-to-ceiling windows infuse the space with light, yet the rooms give a cocooning, almost floating feel, to guests as they look out over the urban skyscrapers outside.
Krystsina Storazheva, spa director, reveals how the spa brings an alternative to what is on offer elsewhere in Dubai: 'The Dior Spa at The Lana embodies Dubai's luxury spa culture, blending opulence and the best in wellness. However, it's not just a place to get a spa treatment—it's an immersive experience where guests can indulge in the beauty, refinement and sophistication from one of the most prestigious names in fashion.'
The Dior Spa is a haven from the city outside.
Across five treatment rooms, signature spa rituals are customized so each guest has a personalised experience. As well as cutting-edge technologies, such as cryotherapy, Icoone laser treatments and infrared therapy, there is also a collection of holistic treatments on offer, such as the signature Constellation Massage, which incorporates slow and enveloping movements over the body, to release tension.
The spa, says Krystsina, is intuitively tapping into the rise in wellness in the Middle East, It's a trend that has been highlighted in the The Future of Wellness 2025 Trends report, by the Global Wellness Summit. 'The Middle East is emerging as a global wellness leader, blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation and sustainability, fueled by national strategies and vast new developments' says the report. 'Wellness is touching every part of Middle Eastern society, from innovative health solutions to religious gatherings, and as oil-dependent countries seek new revenue streams, wellness is emerging as a prime sector.'
Personalisation is key at the Dior Spa.
'There is indeed a growing emphasis on wellness, health, and self-care in the Middle East, as there is worldwide,' says Krystsina. 'The Middle East, being a home for many nationalities, has an advantage of adopting the best wellness practices from across the globe.'
She continues: 'What's more, there is a growing interest in a holistic approach to well-being that includes not just physical fitness but also mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In this region, this resonates with traditional practices such as yoga, meditation, and the concept of balance that has existed in many of the region's cultures for centuries. The UAE Government is actively encouraging healthy living amongst its residents and guests by hosting a variety of fitness events, as well as fuelling a growing interest in sustainability, healthy eating, fitness, and stress management.'
Wellness is a growing driving force for tourism to Dubai.
'Dubai and the wider Middle East region have established themselves as top wellness destinations by offering a unique combination of luxury, modern healthcare, traditional healing practices, and stunning natural surroundings,' says Krystsina. 'Simply put, they cater to all tastes. Whether visitors seek relaxation, fitness, or holistic treatments, they can find a range of wellness experiences tailored to their needs.'
Like elsewhere at The Lana, luxury at the Dior Spa is found in the details: you select from a choice of Dior scents to fragrance your massage oil, for instance; your treatment room has its own relaxation area where you are served tea following your treatment and there are personal fitness sessions and sunrise yoga classes on offer.
The Royal Suite Bedroom offers pink-hued luxury.
'Wellness is constantly evolving,' Krystsina tells Forbes. 'But at the moment, personalised wellness is gaining momentum. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all health advice, people are seeking customised solutions that cater to their unique needs, genetics, and lifestyle. This includes personalised fitness plans, DNA-based diet recommendations, and wellness assessments that help individuals discover the best approach to nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being.'
She continues: 'There's also an increasing focus on lifestyle practices for longevity. This includes exercise, balanced nutrition, and even mindset techniques aimed at slowing down the aging process while promoting health. Finally, with a growing awareness of the importance of sleep for overall health, sleep optimisation has also become a major focus. This trend involves improving sleep hygiene, using smart mattresses and sleep trackers, and incorporating relaxation rituals.'
Luxury is found in the details in a Junior Suite at The Lana.
Luckily, sleep health was a priority in the design of The Lana's bedrooms, with slumber easily induced by the most comfortable Vispring mattresses, dressed with soft Frette linens. Once the electric curtains close out the city outside, it's easy to escape to another world.
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