A secluded world shaped by desert stillness and glowing materiality, the Spa & Hammam unfolds as a sensory retreat where light, ritual and crafted detail redefine modern wellbeing.
Nestled beside the resort’s main building and only steps from the iconic desert pool, the newly unveiled Spa & Hammam at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa stands as a sanctuary shaped by LW Design’s refined sensibility. Created in collaboration with Landscape Designer Square M, the 1100 sqm retreat introduces six treatment rooms, including two serene couple suites, a sunset-facing relaxation pool, two sculpted hammams and a state-of-the-art gym, completing the resort with a destination dedicated entirely to wellbeing and renewal.
In response to the client’s vision to elevate the resort character, LW Design crafted a Spa & Hammam that complements the Lost Princess narrative guiding the main resort building. Architectural interventions by Colin Doyle, Founding Partner in Architecture at LW, weave contemporary clarity into the heritage charm, introducing floor-to-ceiling windows that draw the surrounding desert landscape into every interior moment.
The Spa & Hammam is conceived as more than a luxurious amenity. It embodies a standalone destination with a distinct story and atmosphere shaped by natural light streaming generously through expansive windows. Lighting Designer Studio Lumen amplifies this luminosity with a delicate sensory layer, while soft hues of sage and teal echo the tones of the plunge pool courtyard to create a calming, immersive environment.
Every treatment room is designed as a personalised refuge, where louvred windows allow dappled light to shift gently across each surface. A central vanity with a brass basin adds a whisper of glamour, subtly resonating with the narrative elegance of the Lost Princess. The building’s orientation enhances the wellness experience by positioning the plunge pool toward the sunset, with single and double daybeds creating intimate spaces for rest and quiet contemplation.
As part of the second phase of the resort’s redevelopment, the spa presents its most striking features within two 70 sqm hammams, one crafted for each gender. Octagonal in form and wrapped in translucent green onyx, these rooms emerge as the heart of the wellness journey. Arched doorways and textured tiles enrich the sensory experience, creating a ritualistic atmosphere that feels both grounding and ethereal.
Materiality becomes a vital design narrative, expressed through open-grained travertine, light oak, walnut veneer and microcrete flooring. Oyster-polished plaster walls introduce a refined softness, while accents of green onyx shimmer throughout the interior, forming quiet focal points that heighten the sense of serenity and understated luxury.
Locally crafted furniture inspired by contemporary Arabic patterns completes the spatial story, accompanied by curated artworks from Capsule Arts, atmospheric lighting from Studio Lumen and the landscaping vision of Square M. Together, these elements create a rare gem known as A Rare Find, a Spa & Hammam that sits in harmony with the desert’s grandeur while redefining the language of luxurious wellbeing at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.
Project: Spa & Hammam at Bab Al Shams
Location: Dubai
Design Studio: LW Design Group
Photo Credits: Ingrid Rasmussen
Website: lw.co
