Mandarin Oriental has opened its second property in Dubai, UAE, called Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai in the 303-metre Wasl Tower, and the group’s first re-branded spa called Mandarin Oriental Wellness will open 1 November.

Details on what the rebrand entails are yet to be announced.

Mandarin Oriental has one other property in Dubai, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira and it is also developing its first golf resort in the city with branded residences, called Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai.

The new Downtown property has opened its doors to 259 guestrooms and 224 residences ahead of the Global Wellness Summit, which will take place between 18-21 November.

Architects UNStudio and interior design firm GA Group London worked on the property, including the 2,946sq m urban sanctuary spa. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light and from here, guests can see expansive views of Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai skyline.

Sara Codner, area director of wellness, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, told Spa Business: “Our vision at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai is to redefine what wellness means in a city. We wanted to create more than a place for treatments; it is a holistic sanctuary that recognises the needs of modern life and provides the tools to restore balance.

“Here, wellness is not a retreat from the city but a dialogue with it: expansive views, purposeful design, and experiences that integrate science, nature, and movement,” added Codner. “It’s about offering guests a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect, right at the centre of the city’s energy.”

Facilities

A spokesperson for the property told Spa Business that Mandarin Oriental Wellness has 12 treatment rooms, including a VIP suite, two couples’ rooms and nine single rooms.

There is a range of vitality pools, steamrooms, saunas, experience showers, a rasul and various relaxation lounges.

The spa also features consultation pods and a dedicated retail space.

Beyond treatments, the hotel will have a fitness centre that features custom Technogym equipment, developed exclusively for Mandarin Oriental. There is also a yoga and pilates studio, an outdoor lap pool, a family pool and a dedicated pool for children.

Brand partners

The spa will feature the Mandarin Oriental Signature range and it has also partnered with 111Skin, Oskia and Synthesis Organics for treatments.

The spokesperson for the property said: “Each brand was chosen for its intentional approach to wellness, blending innovation and authenticity to complement our concept of mindful, urban living.”

Additional suppliers to the spa include Luxe Concepts for linens, Lemi for treatment beds and spa systems by SpaSoft.

Treatments

The spa’s philosophy, according to the treatment menu, is inspired by “the timeless rhythm of the sun and moon.” Experiences within the spa are designed to transform, restore balance, awaken vitality and create space for renewal.

Alongside advanced therapies by 111Skin and Oskia, Australian holistic skincare brand Synthesis Organics has co-created a range of treatments for the spa, with the property’s spa team.

These include a Solar Ceremony ritual that lasts 90 minutes. Using the brand’s natural cosmetics and energy medicine, the treatment is designed to activate circulation and restore inner vitality through meridian therapy.

A thirty-minute Heart Activation add-on is available, integrating yin and yang energies for harmony and resilience, using warm oil, crystals and tuning forks.

The Lunar Ceremony also lasts 90 minutes and has been crafted as a restorative experience guided by the lunar rhythm, which the brand describes as soft, fluid and introspective. Using water, the lymphatic system is activated to detoxify the body and mind while reducing inflammation.

The brand’s founder and CEO, Theme Rains, who has a background in green chemistry, energy medicine, counselling, herbalism and aromatherapy, said: “Our mission at Synthesis Organics is to support people in embodying their unique ‘radiant conscious beauty’. Our ethos is centred around treatments that enhance internal energetic well-being while promoting well-ageing and both visible and felt rejuvenation.”

Synthesis Organics has appointed a Dubai-based trainer to support its expansion across the MENA region.

Mandarin Oriental changes

Hong Kong-based conglomerate Jardine Matheson is aiming to buy the remaining shares it does not already own in Mandarin Oriental and de-list the hotel group.

The acquisition would mean Jardine Matheson’s wholly-owned subsidiary Bidco will purchase the remaining 11.96 per cent of Mandarin Oriental’s shares. The entire share capital of the company would be valued at approximately US$4.2 billion (€3.7 billion, £3.2 billion) as a result of the transaction.

In spa leadership news, Jeremy McCarthy announced his departure from Mandarin Oriental in August. He had been in charge of spa and leisure for more than 11 years in various roles, most recently in the position of group director of leisure, spa and wellness.

Emlyn Brown, former VP of wellbeing, strategy, design and development at Accor, has now replaced McCarthy as group director of leisure, spa and wellness at Mandarin Oriental.