At the heart of DivaLounge Spa’s 20-year journey is a friendship.
When Samar Al Atassi and Maisam Kamal founded the company in 2006, they were two successful banking professionals united by a shared vision: to create a sanctuary where women in Qatar could experience exceptional wellness services in an environment that is luxurious and accessible.
Reflecting on those early days, Co-Founder Maisam Kamal recalls:
“When we started DivaLounge Spa, we were building the business alongside our careers. It was exciting, but it was also daunting. Like many entrepreneurs, we had moments of uncertainty and wondered whether the business would succeed. Yet we believed deeply in the need for a space where women could prioritize their well-being. Twenty years later, I look back with immense pride—not only at what we built, but at the community, opportunities, and relationships that grew alongside it.”
At the time, wellness and spa services in Qatar were largely confined to luxury hotels, making regular self-care inaccessible for many professional women. Recognizing a clear gap in the market, the two entrepreneurs envisioned a destination that would offer the same high standards of service found in five-star establishments, but at a price point that made wellness a regular part of women’s lives rather than an occasional indulgence.
What began as an entrepreneurial idea soon evolved into a larger mission. Samar and Maisam envisioned more than a spa; they sought to build an institution. Their goal was to professionalize an industry, create meaningful career opportunities for women, and establish a company built by women, for women.
With this vision, DivaLounge Spa opened its doors on 15 July 2006 as a boutique day spa dedicated to delivering five-star wellness experiences at accessible prices. Inspired by the four elements of nature—earth, water, air, and fire—the spa incorporated these principles into both its environment and treatment philosophy, creating experiences designed to restore balance, harmony, and well-being.
Over the years, DivaLounge Spa has evolved into a comprehensive wellness destination, offering signature spa journeys, therapeutic massages, Hammam rituals, advanced facials, body sculpting treatments, cryotherapy, beauty services including hair and nail care.
What started as a single location has grown into four branches across Qatar. This growth is a testament not only to the strength of the business model but also to the consistency of the guest experience. Scaling a wellness brand while maintaining quality and intimacy is no small achievement, yet DivaLounge Spa has successfully preserved the personalized service that defined its earliest days.
The company’s growth can also be measured in the community it has built. What began with a team of just eight employees has evolved into an organization of nearly 70 professionals with diverse backgrounds. Over the past two decades, DivaLounge Spa has welcomed more than 20,000 clients, creating relationships that extend far beyond individual treatments and appointments.
The Spa has also been recognized through numerous industry awards. While each recognition holds significance, one award stands out as particularly meaningful: Qatar Sustainability Award 2018 by the Qatar Green Building Council. This distinction reflects the company’s commitment to responsible business practices and innovation within the wellness industry.
DivaLounge Spa became the first spa in Qatar to introduce waterless manicures and pedicures, reducing water consumption while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and service. The initiative reflects a broader philosophy that wellness should extend beyond individual care to include care for the environment and future generations.
Like every entrepreneurial success story, the journey has not been without challenges.
Over the past two decades, the business has navigated shifting market dynamics, evolving labor regulations, recruitment challenges, economic downturns, fluctuations in oil prices, and one of the most disruptive global events in modern history—the COVID-19 pandemic. More recently, regional geopolitical uncertainties have tested the resilience of businesses.
As the business expanded, leadership also learned to navigate the complexities of managing a multicultural workforce. Bringing together professionals from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds while maintaining a unified service philosophy required continuous learning, communication, and investment in people. Today, that diversity is one of the company’s greatest strengths, enriching both the workplace culture and the guest experience.
Yet through every challenge, DivaLounge Spa remained steadfast. The ability to adapt while remaining true to its founding values became one of the company’s greatest strengths. Rather than viewing obstacles as setbacks, the leadership team embraced them as opportunities to learn, innovate, and strengthen the business.
Among the many lessons learned over twenty years, one principle stands above all others: taking care of people.
In an industry often characterized by high employee turnover, DivaLounge Spa has cultivated a culture rooted in respect, development, and loyalty. Some of the team members who helped open the very first branch remain with the company today—a remarkable achievement and a source of immense pride. Their longevity reflects a workplace culture that values employees not simply as staff members but as partners in the journey.
This people-first philosophy has extended beyond the internal team to the broader community DivaLounge Spa has nurtured over the years.
What began as a Spa has evolved into a gathering place for generations of women. Mothers have introduced daughters to the experience. Sisters have shared spa days together. Friends have celebrated milestones and created traditions within its walls. Through countless interactions and relationships, a unique Diva community has emerged—one built on connection, trust, and shared moments of self-care.
For many women, DivaLounge Spa has become more than a wellness destination. It is a place to pause, reconnect, and renew energy amid the demands of modern life. It is a space were personal well-being is prioritized.
As DivaLounge Spa enters its third decade, the founders look toward the future with gratitude and ambition in equal measure.
The next chapter includes plans for franchising and expansion both within Qatar and across the region. This growth strategy is not simply about increasing the number of locations; it is about extending the DivaLounge Spa experience to new communities while preserving the intimacy, authenticity, and service excellence that have defined the brand from the beginning.
The challenge ahead will be the same challenge that has guided the company for twenty years: how to grow without losing the essence of what makes the experience special. With a strong foundation, a loyal community, and a clear vision, the brand is well positioned to meet that challenge.
Twenty years after opening its doors, DivaLounge Spa stands as more than a successful business. It is a testament to the power of friendship, perseverance, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it serves as an example of what women can achieve when they combine clarity of vision with determination.
Reflecting on the journey, Co-Founder Samar Al Atassi says:
“When we opened DivaLounge Spa in 2006, we were not simply opening a spa—we were building a company that reflected our belief that women can create institutions, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact. Twenty years later, that belief remains stronger than ever. Looking back, I feel grateful for every woman who walked through our doors, every team member who dedicated their talent and passion to our vision, and every challenge that taught us resilience. Together, they shaped not only a business, but a community. If our journey proves anything, it is that vision, perseverance, and genuine care for people can build something that lasts.”
As the company celebrates this milestone anniversary, the founders remain guided by the same belief that inspired them from the very beginning: that wellness is not a luxury but a necessity, and that creating spaces where women can thrive is a mission worth pursuing for generations to come.
