Into the Slavic Soul: Exploring the Transformative Rituals of Banya Forrest, bluewaters Dubai

Words: Liliya Rogova Tippetts,
Vice President of Moralmoda Visionnaire

From the moment I stepped into Banya Forrest, nestled on Dubai’s vibrant Bluewaters Island, I knew I was about to experience something extraordinary. This wasn’t just another wellness retreat—it was a transportive portal into the heart of Slavic tradition, reimagined with modern luxury.

Banya Forrest is the largest Slavic Banya in the GCC, and it shows in every curated detail. The moment the doors opened, the energy shifted. The air carried the earthy scent of birch branches flown in directly from Russia, and the warmth of wood-lined interiors wrapped around me like a cocoon. I was immediately met with ultra-VIP service, a hallmark of the Banya Forrest philosophy—personal, respectful, deeply human.

At the heart of the Banya experience is the ancient ritual of Parenie, performed by masterful banshiks—sauna therapists brought in from Eastern Europe. These seasoned practitioners wield their birch banya brooms with skill, rhythm, and deep intention, creating waves of fresh herbal steam that awaken every cell of the body. It’s not just heat—it’s soulful ceremony.

Following the Parenie, I was led into a 4°C cold plunge, my skin tingling, my mind sharp. Then, into the Energy Enhancing Snow Room, where actual snow dusted the air. This contrast therapy, rooted in age-old Slavic practice, brings instant rejuvenation, boosts lymphatic flow, and refreshes the nervous system like a winter breeze through the soul.

Then came one of the highlights: a signature massage using deep relaxation oils, followed by a full-body scrub crafted with pure Kazakhstani honey, crystal sea salt, essential oils, and dried lavender flowers from French Provence. The scent was heavenly, and the effect was both detoxifying and deeply calming—a physical and energetic reset.

The Platinum Pack, a 180-minute immersive session, tied it all together: heat, cold, touch, aroma, and breath combined into a state of serene euphoria. Every step was a return to elemental intelligence—heat to awaken, cold to restore, touch to ground, scent to uplift.

For those seeking more than just physical renewal, Banya Forrest offers the Mind Transformation Program, a 60-minute one-on-one session dedicated to emotional release and mental clarity. This is where wellness meets emotional alchemy—stress dissolves, and what remains is a spaciousness for new energy.

After the rituals, I stepped onto the chic wooden terrace of the Slavic Restaurant, overlooking the Arabian Gulf. I was served warm Borscht with sour cream, creamy Olivier salad, crunchy pickles, tender Pelmeni, and a mouth-melting honey cake. And yes, it tasted like home—even if home was a place I had never physically known.
Recognized by Design Middle East, awarded by Her Royal Highness Sheikha Hind, and listed among the world’s Top 5 Saunas by SAUNA37, Banya Forrest is not just a space—it’s a movement. A rebirth of ritual in an age that so deeply needs reconnection.
Before leaving, I explored the Banya Store, a curated gallery of premium niche wellness brands, including selections from Hermès, allowing guests to bring a piece of this philosophy into their daily lives.

Banya Forrest is a poetic immersion—a space where the body is honored, the mind is cleared, and the soul is gently warmed back into itself. It is a gift to Dubai—and to those of us seeking more than just wellness, but wholeness.

www.banyaforrest.com