Plans are in the works for a new concept from MSpa to sit alongside its Anantara Spa when the Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa opens in early 2014.

The Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa (Banana Island Resort) is owned by the Minor Hotel Group, which has partnered with Qatari-owned company Al Rayyan Hospitality for its first property in Qatar, just off the coast of the country's capital Doha,

Facilities at the resort include 141 bedrooms, 96 of which are guest rooms, 34 pool villas and 11 two and three-bedroom over-water pool villas in addition to both an Anantara Spa and an extensive wellness and holistic centre, plus a 24-hour fitness centre and tennis court.

The six treatment room spa will feature the company’s first “full on wellness concept” – a facility capable of hosting year-round long-stay retreats on detox, weight-loss and relaxation that mix alternative therapies with medi-spa treatments and doctors on staff.

Speaking in Spa Business magazine, operations director of MSpa International, Kathryn Moore, said: “We haven’t released the details to the press yet as we’re still finalising the offer.

“It’s going to target the Middle East clientele who usually go to Asia, places like Chiva-Som, for those types of programmes. There are going to be more than 100 residential units [on the island] so it will target locals too.

“Nothing like this exists in the Middle East because the return on investment is tough, but our owners are the Qatari royal family and they really want to have something with a different angle”

The Anantara brand has slowly been introducing wellness retreats at different properties and, having already built up a base of experts, Moore believes it should continue expanding its wellness offerings as the Anantara brand is refreshed.

“What we created five years ago isn’t as relevant today,” said Moore. “I’m looking into an intro level, such as more weekend retreats and a step up from that where we might offer lifestyle memberships and health check ups.”

When the new resort opens in early 2014, Qatar will be the second country of operation for Minor Hotel Group in the Middle East, with five properties also currently in operation in the UAE – three Anantara properties in Abu Dhabi and two Oaks serviced suites, one in Dubai and one recently added in Abu Dhabi.