Comprising two 220-metre-tall towers, the design of Akala features an architectural journey of compression and release.
Comprising two 220-metre-tall towers, the design of Akala features an architectural journey of compression and release.
Comprising two 220-metre-tall towers, the design of Akala features an architectural journey of compression and release.
Comprising two 220-metre-tall towers, the design of Akala features an architectural journey of compression and release.

Arada unveils Akala, world’s first precision wellness destination, with debut location next to Dubai’s DIFC



Arada has unveiled Akala, the world’s first precision wellness destination and a pioneering new global hospitality and branded residences concept. From an ancient Sanskrit word meaning ‘beyond time’, Akala uses future-facing design and technology and a weightless service model to help its residents, visitors and members unlock their full wellness potential.

The brand’s first and flagship location, Akala Hotel & Residences, which contains 534 branded residences, is ideally located between Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Downtown Dubai. Comprising two 220-metre-tall towers, the design of Akala features an architectural journey of compression and release, with signature elements flowing directly into a shared podium housing best-in-class spa, fitness, and clinical wellness facilities.

Sales at the Dh5 billion development commence on Saturday 31 May with a two-day event taking place at Dubai’s Museum of the Future. Every home – ranging from one-bedroom apartments to the show-stopping two-level penthouse The Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa - offers a lifestyle underpinned by a combination of advanced medical diagnostics, performance-driven therapies and seamless, intuitive hospitality, resulting in a unique, weightless experience.

Featuring LEED Gold and WELL Silver pre-certification, construction on Akala is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Executive Vice Chairman of Arada, said: “With Akala, we are creating a sanctuary that reflects how people want to live today, where peak health, personal performance, and rest are all part of the same experience. With an array of wellness facilities and services that is unmatched anywhere in the world, Akala is designed for the next generation of global citizens who want to live better, happier and longer.”

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said: “Akala represents the convergence of two powerful global shifts - the rise of wellness as a central life pursuit, and the demand for service-led, lifestyle-driven residential experiences. Dubai is the perfect place to launch this concept, and we’re proud to introduce a new kind of brand from the region to the world.”

Each residence at Akala has been meticulously designed to support physical, emotional, and environmental wellbeing. From advanced air and water purification systems to individually zoned climate control and circadian lighting, every detail enhances health and comfort. Materials and furnishings are selected for their natural, sustainable qualities, while integrated smart technology allows residents to personalise their environment with ease. Wellness-enhancing upgrades, including organic sleep systems, EMF-conscious design elements, and acoustic optimisation, combine to create a luxury home that actively supports longevity, focus, and rest.

Life at Akala is backed by the world’s most comprehensive wellness ecosystem. Facilities include a high-performance fitness club equipped with state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment, private training pods, an indoor lap pool, and dedicated studios for cycling and group exercise.

Complementing this is the Akala Spa, a full-service hydrothermal and treatment facility featuring saunas, hammams, thalassotherapy pools, and VIP suites, anchored by a comprehensive luxury thermal circuit. The wellness experience extends into dedicated Wellness Studios for movement, recovery, and mindfulness practices, with spaces crafted to promote restoration, balance, and emotional wellbeing.

Everwell’s state-of-the-art medical wellness clinic provides discreet, boutique healthcare services with a focus on diagnostics, preventative care, and personalised treatments, including proprietary stem cell therapies.

Akala also features curated organic dining, a striking L-shaped pool, elegant social spaces and a range of residents-only amenities including gym, spa and private cinema.

Akala also offers an extensive range of services and amenities that extend the wellness experience far beyond the home. A dedicated lifestyle and wellness concierge delivers seamless, personalised support - from daily housekeeping and in-home spa treatments to curated dining, fitness and recovery programs. Residents benefit from intuitive hospitality and specialist services such as family support, companion care, and event planning.

Akala is designed not only as a destination but also as a community: a members’ club with a global footprint, giving residents and guests access to exclusive wellness programming, content, and experiences across its future locations worldwide.

Following its debut in Dubai, Akala is set to expand to major international hubs, with plans under development for properties elsewhere in the Middle East, Europe and Australia. Future locations will continue the brand’s mission to deliver precision wellness, with each project curated to its environment and culture.

About Arada

Launched in 2017 and headquartered in the UAE, Arada was created to build spaces people connect with for healthier, happier and more meaningful lives.

Arada’s scope of operation covers property development, retail, education, healthcare, fitness, wellness and hospitality.

The master developer has so far launched nine record-breaking communities in the UAE and has expanded into the Australian market, opening an office in Sydney in 2024.

Arada also operates a portfolio of complementary brands and experiences, which includes large-scale gyms, F&B and retail assets, social initiatives and visitor destinations.

For more information and high-resolution images contact media@arada.com

For more information about Arada: www.arada.com

How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

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The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make

When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.

“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.

This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).

Age

$250 a month

$500 a month

$1,000 a month

25

$640,829

$1,281,657

$2,563,315

35

$303,219

$606,439

$1,212,877

45

$131,596

$263,191

$526,382

55

$44,351

$88,702

$177,403

 

Updated: June 02, 2025, 6:51 AM`