20 November 2020: As the highly anticipated  Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som continues to prepare for its grand opening next year, General Manager Daniele Vastolo is overseeing every detail of Qatar's new award-winning wellness destination. With over two decades experience in the hospitality industry, Vastolo has brought his dedication and passion for sustainable health and wellness to the pre-opening team.

Zulal Wellness Resort is the first management undertaking by market-leading wellness resort brand Chiva-Som, whose flagship in Hua Hin, Thailand has won global acclaim since its inception 25 years ago. The new wellness destination in Qatar will be the largest in the country, the Middle East's first full-immersion wellness resort, and the world's first centre for Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM). Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som will offer a specially developed menu of Arabic and Mediterranean wellness cuisine, as well as cutting-edge architecture and services inspired by local heritage, both traditional and new.  Reflecting Arabic values, Zulal will actively cater for families with the Discovery Resort, promoting shared experiences and dedicated children's activities, alongside its adults-only Serenity Resort for individuals, couples and groups of adult wellness travellers looking for total immersion and world-class programmes and facilities.

Vastolo joins the Zulal Wellness Resort pre-opening team from his role as General Manager of the Kempinski Summerland Hotel and Resort in Beirut. Prior to his time in Lebanon, he spent six years as Group Director of Nikki Beach Resort and Spa in Greece and Turkey, before stepping into the Middle East with the pre-opening of Dubai's Nikki Beach. Vastolo's dynamic approach has also seen him lead teams as General Manager of international hospitality groups Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and Constance Hotels, and he has overseen the opening of various high-end destinations, including the five-star The Residence Tunis, encompassing the first Thalassotherapy centre in Tunisia, and the first Guerlain Spa in the Seychelles.

After studying at the School of Hotel Management Ottaviano-Napoli, Italy, Vastolo went on to achieve a diploma in Hospitality Administration and Management from Cornell University's General Manager Programme. Focused on promoting health and wellness as a new definition of luxury and lifestyle, Vastolo hopes to inspire positive sustainable wellness lifestyle changes with Zulal Wellness Resort and support its aim of building healthier societies. The resort's unique approach to wellness has recently gained global recognition after being named 'World's Best New Wellness Retreat 2020' in the World Spa Awards.

Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som, Mr. Krip Rojanastien, said: “We are delighted to have Daniele Vastolo as General Manager of Zulal Wellness Resort. With his personal passion for sustainable wellness and extensive experience in the hospitality industry, we are confident he will spearhead the pre-opening team to launch Zulal to the world next year. We are very excited and proud to have developed a new offering with Zulal, which is the first in the world to showcase Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), whilst retaining the inimitable Chiva-Som DNA. The ability to serve families in particular offers guests great flexibility, and we hope it will inspire wellness for a new generation.”

For more information about Chiva-Som please visit www.chivasom.com and about Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som please visit www.zulal.com. 

ABOUT CHIVA-SOM   

For more than 25 years, the company behind the award-winning Chiva-Som has been a pioneer in transformative wellness practices to global acclaim. Its commitment to an innovative, holistic approach which expertly balances mind, body and spirit, continues to this day with its flagship resort in Hua Hin, Thailand and the latest addition to the Chiva-Som family - Zulal Wellness Resort in Khasooma, Qatar.  

Optimal, bespoke wellness lies at the heart of each Chiva-Som experience. With its unique synergy of indigenous traditions and evidence-based wellness, Chiva-Som partners with guests on highly personalised wellness journeys focused on complete lifestyle transformation. At the new Zulal Wellness Resort these extend to the entire family.  

Guests are motivated throughout their journey by knowledgeable and caring staff, who address their goals with the unique heart of Chiva-Som Hospitality.  

Chiva-Som's genuine approach to wellness extends to the wider community, with educational opportunities and global sustainability initiatives at the core of everything the brand does.   

ABOUT ZULAL WELLNESS RESORT BY CHIVA-SOM 

Zulal Wellness Resort is a unique wellbeing haven, brought to life by Qatar's premier master developers, Msheireb Properties. Set to be Qatar's largest wellness destination, and the Middle East's first wellbeing resort, Zulal is expected to be a major tourism transformation driver, bringing the world's attention to Qatar and the region. Located in Khasooma, a private coastal location to the north of Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort brings visitors a holistic wellness experience, offering the highest international standards that are inclusive of local family values.  

Zulal is an Arabic word which means 'pure natural water' and is used to reflect the rejuvenating properties of the natural water found in the desert. Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som offers two venues for health and wellbeing. The Serenity Resort enables adults to engage in a wide range of therapeutic and lifestyle enhancement treatments based upon traditional Arabic and Islamic wellness principles through the destination; whilst the Discovery Resort enables families to enjoy positive wellness experiences together, inspiring young children and their parents with fun, interactive activities that help them learn more about adopting a healthy lifestyle. Zulal Wellness Resort offers guests unique services and treatments, which are based upon Islamic wellness principles and use indigenous ingredients to the region. 

For further information please contact: Flora Gandolfo (flora@bacall.net) or Sarah Harvey (sarah@bacall.net) at Bacall PR Ltd, tel: +44 (0)20 7630 2880