Forget the old spa-and-snooze holiday. The UAE is turning wellness on its head, or perhaps more accurately, its chakras. According to Expedia’s latest travel insights, searches for hotels offering wellness services and longevity packages have surged by a whopping 45% YoY, making the Emirates the new poster child for what the brand calls “Vitality Travel.”
And no, that’s not just a fancy phrase for green juice and yoga mats. Think biohacking, gut health diagnostics, cryotherapy, sleep optimisation, and stress management, all delivered in five-star comfort and air-conditioned bliss.
Where wellness is serious business
With the Dubai Fitness Challenge in full swing, it’s clear the country’s obsession with movement, mindfulness and metabolic resets is here to stay. Resorts are raising the bar (and your heart rate) with science-led wellness programmes that go well beyond a hot stone massage. We’re talking full-body diagnostics, personalised nutrition plans, and rejuvenation therapies designed to make you feel — and function — like a new human.
Expedia’s new data shows a major upswing in wellness-driven bookings across the UAE, with searches for spa-inclusive hotels up 45%. Meanwhile, Dubai and Ajman are seeing triple-digit search growth at +145% and +130% YoY respectively, outpacing even traditional wellness giants like Bali (+115%) and Switzerland (+80%).
That’s right, the UAE isn’t just a quick stopover anymore. It’s becoming a capital for glow-ups.
Out of Expedia’s top five trending ‘Vitality Travel’ escapes, two are from the UAE:
- One&Only One Za’abeel, Dubai (+125% YoY)
Meet the UAE’s answer to the fountain of youth. The One&Only One Za’abeel’s Longevity Hub is part high-tech clinic, part wellness temple. Guests begin with a Longevity Index diagnostic and can then dive into cryotherapy, IV drips, neuro-stimulation, infrared detox and movement coaching/ - ZOYA Health & Wellness Resort, Ajman (+115% YoY)
Nestled among the mangroves of Al Zorah, ZOYA delivers the Middle East’s first fully integrated wellness concept — a holistic reboot for body and mind. Guests start with a *Wellcation* health screening, including OligoScan mineral analysis and detox planning. In other words, it’s the spa, but smarter.
The other three include Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland, offering biohacking and spa therapy; COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, providing Metabolic Reset programs; and Cascade Wellness Resort in Portugal, which supports guests with cancer treatment.
All we know is wellness is no longer an add-on and very much a key reason people travel. Whether it’s detoxing in Ajman, recalibrating in Crans-Montana, or rewiring your sleep cycle in Dubai, the focus is firmly on longevity, performance and personal renewal.
And if you fancy saving a bit while you’re saving your sanity, Expedia’s One Key loyalty programme is now live in the UAE. Members earn OneKeyCash, redeemable across flights, hotels and rentals because even your wallet deserves a wellness boost.
So yes, your next getaway could actually add years to your life, or at the very least, get you glowing again from inside and out.
Also read: Travel 2026 will be weird, wild and wonderfully “you”
