Qatar's Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som has introduced a series of family retreats designed to foster bonding, boost confidence and encourage healthy habits. Olivia Palamountain reports

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the Middle East's largest immersion wellness destination, has announced new family-focused retreats and treatment bundles at its Qatar property.

The resort's Discovery wing, which offers dedicated family wellness programmes, is launching three retreats for children aged 9-15: Digital Detox, focusing on mindful technology use; Fit 4 Life, promoting physical activity; and Thrive, developing emotional intelligence.

Five new wellness bundles will also debut in 2025, which can be customised and bolted on to any of the existing retreats.The "Intergenerational Bundle" includes an array of recreation, spa, and fitness activities, from nature walks and storytelling by the fire pit to pranayama breathing and the Circle of Trust, a supportive card game that fosters empathy and connection among family members of all ages.

Helping smaller family units embrace quality time together, the Bonding Bundle focuses on holistic, recreation and spa, including stargazing, floating meditation, kayaking, reiki, and sound healing night rituals, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for all.

Also on offer is a wellness bundle for the body, that offers a holistic approach to physical health, focusing on nutrition and recreational fitness, a Mind wellness bundle designed to nurture mental clarity and creative expression through mindfulness and artistic classes and wellness bundle for the soul. This focuses on fostering meaningful connections and environmental harmony with each other as well as encouraging deeper connections with nature and loved ones.

The Discovery wing features age-specific spaces for children up to 16 years old. A five-night retreat starts from QAR16,250 (approximately £3,500) for two people, including wellness consultations, treatments, meals, and facility access.

The resort remains unique as the world's only destination offering dedicated family wellness programmes, combining individual wellbeing with family activities.

New Family Wellness Retreats for 2025

Digital Detox

Focused on mindful digital disconnection, this retreat helps participants develop a healthier relationship with technology. Through a mix of outdoor activities, creative projects, and interactive sessions, children learn the value of balance and presence in their daily lives. Digital Detox encourages participants to rediscover joy in offline interactions and hobbies, enhancing mental wellbeing and fostering stronger connections with family members.

The retreat serves as a meaningful break from screens, allowing participants to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings and includes personalised strategies to create a balanced home environment, mindful practices, nature immersion with outdoor activities, creative expression through art, journaling and music and digital-free zones, where technology is not permitted.

Fit 4 Life

Tailored to encourage children to embrace physical activity and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime, this retreat focuses on engaging exercises and wellness-focused routines, helping participants gain both physical and mental endurance. The programme seamlessly combines fun and fitness, fostering a foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.

By prioritising movement and energy, Fit 4 Life also instils discipline and self-motivation, empowering young individuals to achieve their wellness goals. This retreat includes personalised fitness training, nutrition guidance, metabolism-boosting activities, daily wellness meals and family fitness challenges like obstacle courses and nature walks.

Thrive

Designed to cultivate emotional intelligence and resilience, the Thrive retreat supports younger guests in building social and emotional awareness. This programme encourages children to explore their potential by setting and achieving meaningful goals while fostering a sense of empathy and interpersonal understanding.

Through creative activities, group discussions, and reflective practices, Thrive equips children with the tools to navigate their emotions and relationships, ensuring a well-rounded approach to personal growth. This retreat also provides families with skill-building activities like storytelling, mindful & relaxation sessions, confidence-boosting sessions and parent-child activities like joint artistic projects.