World’s largest and tallest wellness resort
Dubai is gearing up to unveil Therme Dubai, poised to be the world’s largest and tallest wellness resort, scheduled to open in 2028. With a budget of AED 2 billion (~USD 545 million), this extraordinary project is set to redefine urban wellness through architecture, nature, culture, and sustainability.
🚀 A Vertical Oasis in the Heart of Zabeel Park
- Location: Zabeel Park, a sprawling urban green space central to Dubai, near landmarks like the Dubai Frame and the Royal Palace.
- Scale: 100 meters tall, spread over 500,000 ft² (≈46,500 m²), designed to host 1.7 million visitors annually.
- Design Vision: Dubbed “Islands in the Sky,” the building resembles a series of botanical terraces stacked vertically, blending nature with urban space.
🌿 Architecture & Design: "Islands in the Sky"
- Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), acclaimed for The Shed (NYC) and other cultural icons.
- Elements: Suspended gardens, balconies, and cascading pools that simulate floating islands emerging from a man-made lake within the park.
- Water Features: Three dramatic 18‑metre waterfalls flow through the structure and over sky terraces.
🧘 Thematic Zones: Play • Relax • Restore
Play Zone
Designed for families and fun, with 15 water slides, dynamic pools, interactive installations, and wellness-infused entertainment.
Relax Zone
An adult-only sanctuary with indoor and terrace pools, mineral-rich thermal pools, steam rooms, and spa experiences inspired by Roman baths, Turkish hammams, Nordic saunas, and Japanese onsen.
Restore Zone
Focuses on deep restoration and rejuvenation — featuring expansive thermal complexes, multi-sensory experiences, and mineral treatment baths curated for a holistic wellness escape.
🌱 Botanical Oasis in the Sky
- Largest of Its Kind: Home to the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, showcasing over 200 plant species from diverse climates.
- Green Integration: These gardens bolster urban biodiversity, create humidity-balanced microclimates, and blend vegetation with water and air.
🌍 Sustainability at Its Core
- Water Recycling: Up to 90% of thermal pool water recycled through advanced treatment systems.
- Clean Energy Use: 80% of ventilation and cooling powered by renewable energy, alongside low-carbon construction materials and passive shading designs.
- Urban Sustainability Goals: Aligns with Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, enhancing well‑being through inclusive green infrastructure.
🎨 A Cultural Hub Above it All
- Art & Dining: Featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, immersive art installations, and evening experiences with live music and performance.
- Global Exchange: Exhibits and events curated in collaboration with international cultural partners, reinforcing Dubai’s identity as a cosmopolitan hub.
- Wellbeing for All: Through inclusive programming, Therme Dubai aims to democratize access to wellness across demographics.
📅 Timeline & Strategic Impact
- Announcement: Approved in February 2025 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Dubai’s leadership.
- Construction: Set to begin in 2026, with opening targeted for 2028.
- Economic & Tourism Impact: Expected to strengthen Dubai’s medical tourism, attract global investment, and offer local residents elevated lifestyle amenities.
🧩 Why Therme Dubai Matters Globally
- Unparalleled Scale – tallest wellness resort in the world, unmatched in design complexity and scale.
- Holistic Wellness – fuses centuries of bathing traditions with modern spa science.
- Architectural Marvel – a poetic blend of verticality, gardens, and water that speaks to future-forward urbanism.
- Ecological Benchmark – sets new standards in sustainable leisure infrastructure.
- Cultural Platform – merges leisure, health, and creativity to redefine public spa spaces.
🔭 What to Watch For
- Design Evolution: Stay tuned for updates on architects’ renderings and materials.
- Operational Details: Learn about treatment types, packages, spa memberships, and ticketing.
- Opening Experience: Expect grand inaugurations, wellness festivals, and art galas on debut.
- Urban Spillovers: How surrounding areas in Zabeel Park will transform and benefit.
🧠 Conclusion
Therme Dubai is more than just a spa—it’s an urban sanctuary, an architectural landmark, and a global wellness beacon. At 100 meters high, it reimagines what a spa can be: a place where culture, nature, health, and design converge. With sustainability principles embedded from foundation to skyline, it stands as a testament to Dubai’s ambition: to build environments that elevate both individual wellbeing and collective life quality. Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, architectural aficionado, or visitor planning Dubai’s next horizon, Therme Dubai promises an unmatched experience in the sky.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into the design philosophy, botanical species selection, spa treatment packages, or sustainability engineering details!
