Hotel Hotspot: SIRO One Za’abeel brings fitness and recovery to Dubai 

Run don’t walk to the UAE’s first fitness and recovery hotel.

Where is your happy place? Dubai has so many options, from world-class dining to out-of-this-world deserts. For me, it’s SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai. The five-star hotel has taken wellness and run 10 kilometres with it. Welcome to the UAE’s first fitness and recovery hotel. 

Opening in February 2024, this is the first SIRO hotel in the world. Created by the Kerzner brand, whose hospitality hits include Atlantis and One&Only, this is a truly unique hotel. So many hotels claim that they are personalised, but this experience is from the start to the finish line, thanks to the nutritionist, made-to-order meals, trainers and treatments.  

SIRO is located across floors 30 to 36 of the One Za’abeel development, and the check-in desk feels more like a lounge than a lobby. The smiling staff are dressed in T-shirts and offer vitamin shots on arrival. On one end, there’s the Refuel Bar for shakes and smoothies. On the other end, there’s the Collective for speakers. It all ties together with the floor-to-ceiling windows, which overlooks Dubai. Plus, the concierge is a hip host in DEMBE.bk glasses he designed, naturally. 

Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner International, explains: “SIRO is our direct response to this new normal. It’s our incubator concept that not only positively blurs the lines of wellness and hospitality but also brings together a community of like-minded individuals.”

Rooms and suites 

SIRO is home to 132 rooms and suites, which optimise wellness. The accommodation ranges from the Plus rooms to the Fitness suite with a treadmill and Recovery suites with a massage bed. The smallest room is 46 square metres, and the largest suite comes in at 120 square meters. 

Rodrigo Rodrigues, Rooms Assistant Manager, explains: “We welcome people who are into fitness. It’s not just athletes. Celebrity guests like that they can work out in the privacy of their room”. If you book a suite, it includes two 30-minute in-room treatments.

We check into the Recovery Suite, which feels like a relaxation room after a spa treatment. Dubai is famous for its bling, bling hotels, but this is a masterclass in understated elegance. Designed by LW Design Group, it is magnificently minimalistic with neutral tones, wooden panels, marble structures and wooden fans. 

The wraparound windows showcase the structure and skyline. The bathtub not only overlooks the beach, but can be prepared with ice or warm water post-workouts. Best of all, the king size bed, which comes with a pillow menu, boasts a widescreen view of Dubai Frame and the planes taking off from Dubai International Airport.

The suite contains a rainfall shower, a table for four and two Japanese toilets. Everything is thoughtfully designed, from the monkey bars to the massage room that can be sectioned off with a sliding door. The full-length mirror opens up to reveal a yoga mat, and the Proverb bath products were created by the former rugby player, Luke Sherriff. Even the in-room beverages and bites are healthy – hibiscus kombucha, anyone?

Restaurants and bars

At SIRO, the guest experience can start with the nutritionist, Heeral Shivnani. Our session covers fitness, food and family medical history. A meal plan can be prepared for in-room dining, and advice can be given about restaurant orders. Plus, smart yet simple suggestions are made for future food habits. 

Breakfast is served at Aelia for SIRO and One&Only One Za’abeel guests. The morning is a slick and sophisticated operation. The luxurious location includes sky-high glass vases and pearl necklace-styled chandeliers. The beautiful buffet includes cereals, cheese, fruit and pastries. Look out for the Bloody Mary drinks trolley and the server with freshly baked goods. The menu spans Arabic, English and Indian breakfasts, and wellness dishes include Acai Bowl, Avocado and Egg, and Berry Granola Bowl.  

At SIRO, guests have access to One Za’abeel’s dining experiences: Andaliman, Arrazuna by Mehmet Gürs, DunagDy by Bo.Lan, La Dame de Pic, Qabu, Segetsu, Sphere, StreetXO and Tapasake. Put aside time to visit the pools at Andaliman and Tapasake, which are currently only open for hotel guests – and, extra time to navigate lots of lifts.

Facilities 

At the heart of SIRO are its fitness and recovery facilities, which are the best of the best. Spanning 2,000 metres, they include a state-of-the-art gym overlooking the Burj Khalifa and pilates, spin, and yoga studios. The Experience Box hosts classes ranging from HIIT to functional fitness. 

Trust the professionals and the process. If you’ve done a leg day, book Compression Therapy. If you’ve done arms and abs, book Assisted Stretching. The team are literally on hand to help, from traditional techniques with the Modular Massage by Proverb, to high-tech treatments like The Triple Detox by MLX with infrared lights. Plus, the relaxation rooms have massage chairs and herbal teas. And, whether you’re feeling like a hero or not, celebrate with that blockbuster view. 

SIRO broke us and put us back together. At the end of each day, friends joined us for dinner and commented: “You look so happy”. And we can still feel the positive effects on our body and mind. 

Find your happy place at SIRO. 

GO: Visit www.sirohotels.com for more information.