The desert is bathed in black.

From the car, we watch the last lights of Doha pass before heading north on the floodlit Al Shamal Road.

Black nothingness to the right and left, as if the world had been swallowed up.

After a good hour, the driver turns off and drives into the darkness until, after a small eternity, small lights appear on the horizon.

Even though we're in an air-conditioned limousine, this little sign of civilization gives us a brief sense of relief at having found life in the middle of the dark desert.

Anke Schipp

Editor in the "Life" department of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.

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The Zulal Wellness Resort is located in the very north of Qatar, away from the other luxury hotels in the capital, Doha.

Anyone who comes here finds what tour operators mean when they talk about an "oasis of calm" - and in the end it is often a hotel on a busy road.

But the Zulal, surrounded by desert and the calm seas of the Persian Gulf, delivers on the promise.

This may also be the reason why the DFB chose the resort as the home of the German national team for the soccer World Cup in November.

German players have already resided in a secluded retreat at a World Cup, in 2014 in Campo Bahia in Brazil - and promptly became world champions.

It is quite possible that the Zulal will awaken similar hopes at the DFB, because the wellness resort in Qatar is actually a place

Zulal is Arabic for "pure water".

Right at the entrance to the hotel there is a round basin as a symbol for the "circle of life", the circle of life that in the desert is only kept running with the precious commodity of water.

As soon as you arrive, you will be asked at reception if you would like something to drink.

"Get hydrated" is the gentle admonition you hear from doctors, physiotherapists and waiters throughout your stay, which is why there are glass water dispensers in all rooms and corridors for self-service, filled with lemon, orange or cucumber slices.

If you want to know the philosophy of the resort, you only have to take a look at the minibar in the comfortable rooms and suites: no alcohol, no sweets, no soft drinks containing sugar.

Instead, you will find dried dates and apricots, goji berries and grain bars in small screw-top jars – without chocolate.

A first indication that luxury here shouldn't be confused with excess, sumptuous dining, drinking sprees or constant distraction.

Rather, it's about reduction, about finding oneself - albeit in a luxurious ambience and with more than enough staff who, before the meal, adjust the chair for each guest when they sit down and put the napkin on their lap .

A cool breeze is blowing on this spring day as the waves gently ripple in the man-made lagoon that runs through the resort.

"Marhaba," says Fanor on the way to the wellness center.

He bows briefly and puts his right hand on his heart.

As a butler, he looks after the guests personally.

"You can always contact me, whatever it is," says the young Colombian.

You can reach him via the room telephone.

Mobile phone use is not permitted on the premises, WLAN is only available in the room.

Digital detox is practiced, and so that none of the guests are likely to be triggered for withdrawal, the staff hide their cellphones in fake book spines they carry around.