Ajman – Spa Health & Traditions where Middle East Traditions Meet Cutting-Edge Wellness
We stared at each other. His eyes expressive and fiery, body statuesque, noble and elegant in his mottled grey coat. Prized by the nomadic Bedouin people, the revered Arabian horse is just one of many symbolic features of Ajman in the Arabian Peninsula. From pearls, perfume and poetry to mangroves, museums and Masfoot, Ajman is the authentic Arabia, the smallest of the seven emirates harbouring ancient practises, showcasing the heritage of its civilisation and offering the true experience of Arabia today.
A new future in wellness, spa health and traditions
Ajman has also made strides in wellness moving towards a healthy future with the first of its kind wellness resort in the UAE. Opened in 2022, Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort overlooks the tranquil mangrove forest and green landscape of Al -Zoya golf course. This wellness oasis is a contemporary, low rise resort. It has an amazing spa full of pampering treatments, a fitness facility along with advanced diagnostic medical equipment. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation, yoga and spiritual healing are offered in customised wellness programmes.
About Ajman
Ajman covers 260sq kilometres of the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula. It’s 30 mins from Dubai and a neighbour to Sharjah. The emirate is known for its beaches, historical sites and the city of Ajman which is home to a gold souq, markets and restaurants with palm trees lining the natural, white-sand beaches and around 500 mosques shape the skyline with distinctive minarets. A path runs along the Corniche connecting five-star hotels which overlook the Arabian Gulf. Marsa is a modern promenade area dotted with various restaurants and coffee shops, skirting the waterfront where families enjoy the cooler evenings. Authentic markets sell souvenirs, coins and fashion in vibrant sparkly textures. Food stores add to the bustle of local life and restaurants see local men sitting outside contemplating life over pots of Arabian coffee. Families share meals in local Emirati restaurants such as Liwarah, located in the heart of the heritage area. Try the Ragag (bread), and dip into honey and cheese and accompany Arabic coffee, which is made with cardamom. Ajman has a plentiful daily supply and reputation for its fresh fish. Try Seascape at the Wyndam Garden for the best platters and the for the best Indian food book a table at Bukhara at the Ajman Hotel.
Old Ajman
Old Ajman developed from the shores of Ajman Creek as a trading port of Arabia. Before oil it was known for its pearl diving and fishing trade. The Heritage and Museum District in the centre of Ajman showcases its inherited traditions borne from its austere natural environment and its trade links with foreign civilizations such as Mesopotamia, India and China. Housed in an 18th-century fort, the Ajman Museum provides a fascinating insight into the emirate’s history and culture. Here history and trades come to life in an appealing contemporary representation. Galleries the traditional healing methods of medicinal herbs, cupping and massage passed down through generations. Trading habits of building wooden ships, creating fishing cages, Emirati crafts, pearl diving and pearls as currency are featured along with archaeological finds. Smart screens detail the British Campaign in the Gulf in 1819. Official documents of the exploration agreement between Ajman Government and British Petroleum company in 1951 and records of the Maritime Treaty of 1820 are displayed. In the courtyard, under shade is a replica model of the 1960’s Land Rover Series 111, the first off-road vehicle used in the desert owned by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi who ruled Ajman from 1928-1981. Also in the district is the humble dwelling, now a museum, of a well-known poet, Rashid Al-Khadar, who wrote a poem praising the King George.
Perfumery
Popular in ancient times as it is today. La Rose Gallery Perfumes is located in the heritage area reflecting its significance in the tradition and importance of fragrances. Here rows of perfumes lines shelves, aromas tried and tested and with a special room for delicately mixing exclusive recipes for personal requests, an art in itself. Oud is traditionally known as black gold in the Middle East, a prized ingredient from rare wood, its aroma is part of the Muslim culture. The agarwood chips are burned as incense in homes and places of worship as well as used for perfume.
A sustainable future
The Al Zorah Nature Reserve is a hidden gem in Ajman, a large protected area of wetlands and mangroves and is included in the government’s pledge to increase the number of trees by 100 million by 2030 throughout the UAE. Serene and peaceful, there are guided kayak tours for small groups which take around 2 hours. Expect to witness jumping fish along your trip through narrow channels with heavy overhangs of foliage while above are egrits and herons amongst a background chorus of birdsong. In the winter, in the distance, you may be fortunate to see the pink vision of flamingos on stick thin legs, elegant in pink. There are planting tours too to leave your own inprint in nature.
Nestled in the Hajar mountains, an hour and a half through the desert dotted with camels and acacia trees changing to a stone landscape, Masfoot is an historical town with developments in place to increase tourism. It sits close to the border of Oman, 600 m above sea level with scattered farms and fields of palms, mango, dates, figs, banana and citrus trees. With a well-presented museum, watch tower and a mosque dating back to 1815, it is here where the President of UAE and Ruler of Ajman have their residences
Ajman is a newcomer in wellness within the region. Away from the razzle and dazzle of its neighbour Dubai, it enjoys a tranquil setting and not far from the beauty of the horses of the Ajman Equestrian Club. Whether it’s equine therapy or a tailored wellness retreat offering spa, health and traditions, Ajman has a lot of offer, even though it is the smallest emirate of the UAE.
Where to stay:
The Ajman Hotel: well located on the Corniche. elegantly-designed wood furniture with a Middle Eastern style sitting on the white- sand private beach with landscaped gardens. It also offers a bowling alley and Bakhara, one of the best Indian restaurants in the country
The Oberoi is elegant and stylish with distinguishing pieces of art in every room. Designed by Peiro Lissoni, this resort has the feel of an art gallery. It also offers the largest swimming pool I have seen at 85m long.
How to get to Ajman
Ajman does not have its own airport but is a 30 minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
