Luxury Dubai 'fitness hotel' offers workouts, recovery, dining

Imagine taking a vacation and returning in peak physical condition.

That's the tempting proposition offered by Dubai's SIRO One Za’abeel, a high-end fitness hotel where you can be a test subject for a new kind of luxury wellness experience.

I decided to give it a try for my 50th birthday, hoping to come back home with a brand-new six-pack and improved fitness.

But as I boarded my flight to Dubai, doubts began to creep in. What exactly was I getting myself into? Kerzner International Resorts, the brains behind this new concept, claims it’s “engineered to power your performance.”

Was this just a euphemism for a grueling fat camp in the desert? Would I be at the mercy of a relentless ex-military drill sergeant? I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.

Upon arriving at SIRO One Za’abeel, I was greeted by an athletic concierge who offered me an espresso, helping to activate my parasympathetic nervous system and soothe my anxiety.

It quickly became apparent that this was no ordinary hotel; it was a boot camp designed for modern high achievers.

The urban resort features six floors filled with state-of-the-art fitness and recovery labs, spacious rooms with in-built fitness areas, and access to 11 top-tier restaurants, each providing breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline.

Dubai is often touted as the “future of the future,” and it truly feels like it. The UAE, rich in oil and with over $1.5 trillion in various sovereign wealth funds, has invested in everything from artificial intelligence to sports.

The city’s gleaming skyscrapers have turned it into a luxurious playground for Russian oligarchs, European aristocrats, American tech moguls, Indian magnates, and Chinese asset managers.

Kerzner, which is owned by the Investment Corp. of Dubai, operates an array of lavish hotels, including the 2,400-room Atlantis complex on Dubai’s artificial island, the Palm.

Frequented by influencers and celebrities like Beyoncé and J.Lo, these hotels are iconic.

However, SIRO stands out from Kerzner’s usual indulgent offerings. There are no endless buffets, waterslides, or dolphin encounters here. Instead, the 229 rooms, priced between $435 and $1,765, come equipped with amenities like punching bags and treadmills.

The resort promises to “biohack your well-being with precision,” making it a haven for global business leaders looking to stay fit while preparing for important meetings.

The demand for wellness-focused travel is booming, outpacing the overall tourism industry by 50% in recent years according to a March report from the Global Wellness Institute.

This surge has prompted hoteliers to experiment with combining the best aspects of spas, health clubs, and luxury hotels, much like the Equinox Hotel in New York.

At SIRO, I started my stay with an immunity-boosting shot and a consultation with Heeral Shivnani, the in-house nutritionist.

She assessed my weight and fat-to-muscle ratio and provided a meal plan for the next three days.

The resort’s approach balances intense workouts with luxurious recovery and dining. The fitness lab offers cycling, CrossFit, and weight training.

A grand spiral staircase leads to the recovery lab, featuring a pristine yoga studio, ice-plunge baths, a cryotherapy chamber, a sauna, a Pilates area, and serene spaces to disconnect from technology.

Overseeing these labs are SIRO’s expert trainers, including my personal trainer, South African Runet Van Heerden, who had the task of transforming me within 48 hours.

My jet lag granted me a relatively easy initial workout—a light weights session to shake off the travel fatigue.

While working out, I scanned the room to gauge the fitness levels of others around me. To my relief, I wasn’t the least fit person there; one corporate executive seemed to spend more time with spreadsheets than in the gym.

Before I can get too comfortable with my success, I learn that the testing group features soccer legend and SIRO brand ambassador Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Zlatan, who once played for AC Milan and now advises the club, contributed to developing the training and recovery protocol for SIRO, based on the team's methods.

On my way to the recovery lab, I keep an eye out for Zlatan. There, my masseur Mark works out the knots from my back caused by hours in an airplane seat.

He then enhances the detox process with an ultraviolet treatment and concludes with a vibroacoustic therapy session that leaves me deeply relaxed.

Feeling refreshed, I return to my suite to change into casual attire for a Thai dinner.

In the elevator, I run into the incredibly handsome British travel entrepreneur Jeremy Jauncey and his wife, former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. Jeremy and I discuss his training for Hyrox, the World Series of fitness training.

With his bronzed skin, chiseled physique, and impeccable grooming, he seems like he was made for Instagram.

"Have you tried the compression therapy?" he asks me. "It’s amazing."

Seeing his fit form makes me second-guess my dinner plans, but the friendly waitress insists I indulge in turmeric-spiced cauliflower and caramel-crusted venison, disregarding Heeral's dietary instructions.

Day two is similar, filled with workouts, wellness treatments, and delicious meals. In my slightly dazed state, I wonder if I'm part of an experiment where I'm fed well and exercised hard to turn me into a human Wagyu.

After an emotional breath-work session with Slovenian yogi Petra Nemethova, I finally spot a tall, ponytailed Swede in a Gucci tracksuit—Zlatan! I quickly approach him for an interview. "SIRO’s great," he says. "Dubai’s great." Though he doesn't say it, we both know Zlatan is great, too.

Feeling like Ted Lasso after signing Zava for Richmond AFC, I'm energized. My second session with Runet is a tough HIIT workout, but I push through and then boost my mitochondria with five minutes in SIRO’s cryotherapy chamber.

By day three, the endorphins are kicking in. I engage in some AC Milan-designed core conditioning and enjoy a Wagyu steak for lunch. I even manage to squeeze in an extra boxing session in my suite.

While I don’t achieve a six-pack in just three days, I feel incredible. Before my flight, I raid the healthiest minibar in the world for kombucha, trail mix, and SIRO’s addictive cacao-coconut protein balls. I also stop by to thank Heeral and say goodbye.

She weighs me on her high-tech scales to see the results of this rigorous experiment. Despite indulging for four days, I've lost fat and gained muscle.

"See?" she says. "This is the place to be. No pain, all gain."

Source: finance

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