8 Stunning Desert Resorts in the UAE

The shifting sands of the UAE’s desert-scape are residence to a few of the nation’s most charismatic resorts, providing dramatic dune views and tranquillity in equal measure. From personal pool villas and nature reserves to Hollywood film sets and hedonistic escapes, listed here are eight of the greatest locations for a desert keep.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

Translating as “the oryx,” Al Maha is named after the UAE’s national animal—and dozens of them roam freely on the resort’s grounds, unafraid to come and say hello. They are joined by camels and bold gazelles, which often wander up to tented villas to sip from the private infinity pools. Located an hour outside of Dubai in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the romantic eco-resort is a contemporary tackle Bedouin dwelling, with stand-alone tented villas interspaced between rolling sands. The important resort space is residence to all-day eating restaurant Al Diwaan, whereas the Timeless Spa affords signature remedies that draw on Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian aromatherapy traditions. Activities vary from archery and nature walks to falconry and camel trekking.

Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Dubai

Bab Al Shams, Dubai’s longest-running desert resort, not too long ago reopened with a brand new lease of life as a part of Kerzner International’s Rare Finds assortment. The unique resort launched in 2004 as quarters for Dubai’s equestrian set and bustled with the clamor of a working steady. Today, the serenity of the desert blends with all the fashionable trappings of a luxurious resort. There are 115 visitor rooms and suites housed throughout two 16-story buildings, with refined Moorish nods and tropical gardens that transport friends to a special time and place—though the oasis-like infinity pool and swim-up bar are decidedly Dubai. The resort’s unique Middle Eastern restaurant, Al Hadheerah, has been spruced up with a brand new menu, whereas the all-day eating restaurant Zala dishes up plates impressed by Ottoman and Greek delicacies. There’s additionally a lot to maintain youngsters entertained with stomach dancers, musicians, falconers, and a caravan of pet camels ready in the wings.

Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

When a resort is commissioned by the royal household, you understand service can be match for a king (or queen). Constructed in simply 650 days by order of the UAE’s rulers, the kingdom-like fortress emerged from the Rub Al Khali desert in 2007 as a grand smorgasbord of Bedouin heritage and Emirati opulence. With 207 rooms, suites, and pool villas, Qasr Al Sarab turns into more and more lovely as the solar begins to set. Movie followers could acknowledge the vistas from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, whereas the forged of the Oscar-winning dystopian sci-fi hit Dune additionally stayed right here whereas filming close by. The drive from Abu Dhabi takes about two hours, though the surroundings en route is gorgeous, and a visit to the resort’s plush spa is the excellent option to unwind on arrival.

From the organisers of Tomorrowland, Terra Solis is a hedonistic escape in the Dubai desertTerra Solis

Terra Solis, Dubai

Dubai’s latest glamping expertise Terra Solis is helmed by the similar individuals behind world-famous digital dance pageant Tomorrowland, which arrived in Dubai South’s sandscapes in 2022 with a string of high-profile DJs in tow. Terra Solis Dubai brings poolside beats and day-to-night events, set amid 91 acres of secluded dunes. The upscale resort options 48 opulent tents, 20 lodges, and 6 poolside cabins. Music followers ought to control the full of life occasions calendar, whereas gourmands can indulge in a sharing platter from its restaurant Mesa, impressed by Tomorrowland’s “Tastes of the World” delicacies.

Al Wathba desert resort and spa is situated near the Al Wathba Wetland ReserveAl Wathba

Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi

Rising from the desert like a mirage, Al Wathba displays conventional Bedouin villages of yesteryear, although slick services catapult it seamlessly into the twenty first century. Just 45 minutes outdoors of Abu Dhabi and near Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, the desert resort sprawls throughout 5 acres and is cut up throughout 13 villas with personal swimming pools and greater than 90 rooms. Guests have the probability to be taught extra about UAE heritage by falconry and camel racing experiences, earlier than stress-free in the resort’s Saray Spa. Extending over 23,600 sq. toes and that includes 11 therapy rooms, hammams, salt rooms, and snow caves, the focus right here is firmly on wellness by a mixture of nature, custom, and tranquillity.

Telal Resort Al Ain is tucked inside the peaks of the Remah DesertTelal Resort Al Ai

Telal Resort Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

Telal Resort rolls again the sands of time with uninterrupted views of deep caramel dunes stretching for miles. Tucked inside the peaks of the Remah Desert, the boutique lodge is about on the former stomping grounds of nomadic Bedouin tribes and has a wealthy historical past that may be explored by the lodge’s heritage and tradition packages. The property has saved its conventional allure, with elaborately carved furnishings, genuine woven materials, and Arabesque artworks sitting aspect by aspect with extravagant personal swimming pools, scorching tubs, and saunas. An 80-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the lodge affords uninterrupted vistas of a pure conservation space, and glimpses of untamed desert animals usually are not unusual, although distractions emerge in the type of zip-lines, quadbikes, sand zorbing, and archery.

A non-public pool villa at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi DesertRitz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah

Spanning 494 acres, the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert has greater than 100 villas dotted by the protected Al Wadi Nature Reserve, full with polished interiors impressed by heritage supplies and designs. Each tented villa comes with a personal pool and a sundeck cabana, excellent for recognizing free-roaming wildlife patrolling the Wadi Khadeja valley. Desert actions on supply embody nature walks and horse driving, whereas wellness can be set firmly on the agenda. Hit The Rainforest hydrothermal suite to expertise 16 sensory stations, together with the Igloo overflowing with crushed ice and a pebble foot spa. For one thing particular, friends can go for a desert eating expertise underneath a starlit sky at the fingers of a private chef and personal butler.

Boutique Sharjah desert resort Mysk Al Faya occupies an area as soon as residence to a roadside petrol stationMysk Al Faya

Mysk Al Faya Retreat, Sharjah

In the Nineteen Sixties, a British-style fuel station, well being clinic, and grocery store have been constructed on an empty street in a desolate nook of Sharjah. The single-story concrete blocks have been finally deserted, destined to fall into destroy—till the Sharjah authorities stepped in. Design agency Anarchitect reworked the plot into the five-bedroom Mysk Al Faya Retreat, incorporating the unique buildings into the remaining design. A spa, pool, and terrace restaurant have been added to the plot, together with a novel hands-free spa that includes a natural room, salt pool, and tropical bathe stroll. Today, the secluded resort bears no resemblance to its humble beginnings, apart from a lone BP pump in the forecourt. The surrounding Mleiha desert, in the meantime, was discovered to carry a few of the area’s most necessary archaeological discoveries, together with Bronze Age tombs, and was not too long ago nominated for UNESCO World Heritage standing.

This article was initially printed on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.