Tilal Liwa Hotel
Tilal Liwa Hotel is located amid rolling dunes and an unspoiled desert landscape on the edge of the Rub Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world. Constructed in a traditional style, this hotel offers an elegant retreat for those seeking a unique desert experience and the true spirit of Arabia. The hotel features 111 rooms and suites and authentic dining destinations, complemented by exciting recreational activities. It is also a stone’s throw from the annual Al Dhafra Festival, a showcase of the Bedouin lifestyle and home to the yearly camel beauty pageant.
We’ve travelled the seven Emirates and experienced rolling dunes, camel rides and dining under the stars in search of the very best desert resorts in the UAE.
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Al Maha is a private, guest-only oasis nestled among lush palm groves, emerald canopies and the dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The hotel offers secluded tranquillity and unrivalled vistas of the sweeping plains and Hajar Mountain massif. Take an unforgettable horse ride, camel trek, nature walk, join a desert safari or practice the distinguished arts of archery and falconry. This five-star tented hotel boasts private swimming pools with majestic dune and mountain views, while the 42 suites combine discreet refinement with authentic regional antiques, local artefacts and thoughtful nuances.
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi
Deep within Abu Dhabi’s desert lies Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, an intimate retreat inspired by traditional bedouin dwellings. The boutique resort’s 103 guest rooms and villas feature timeless local details, traditional artwork and Arabesque accessories, alongside a range of dining destinations showcasing the dunes to panoramic perfection. At Al Mabeet, guests can dine on traditional Emirati dishes in an understated desert setting, or there’s Italian restaurant Terra Secca, an elegant trattoria serving Italian classics from an open kitchen. With a Spa as the hallmark of the hotel experience, guests can rebalance their equilibrium and embark on an individual wellness journey or take a dip in the infinity-style pool while taking in the desert expanse.
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa
The low-lying Bab Al Shams resort is excellent for dream desert getaways. This oasis combines rustic charm with top-tier hospitality and luxury to bring to life an authentic desert experience. A world of sumptuous cuisine, nature walks, camel rides and desert adventures awaits. Bab Al Shams offers all the elements required to create memorable stays, from temperature-controlled pools to archery ranges and falconry exhibitions. Perfectly capturing the essence of Middle Eastern traditions, the rooms and suites at Bab Al Shams showcase a charming balance between authenticity and modern comforts. There’s even an infinity-style swimming pool replete with jacuzzi jets, with the desert landscape starting from the edge of the pool and extending outwards in hues of yellow, brown and orange. The resort’s desert ecosystem is home to gazelles, birds and geckos.
Mysk Al Badayer Retreat
A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah. At Mysk Al Badayer Retreat, you can stay in a traditional Arabian castle decorated with comfort and a touch of modernity. All rooms are adorned with Arabian culture and ornaments, leaving you with 1001 memories to reminisce. Feel the attentive welcome evocative of an Emirati home or enjoy the site of the sun hanging lazily over you the dunes or climb to the horizon and enjoy a getaway where you will carry home authentic cultural riches.
Mysk Al Faya Retreat
Away from the city noise and deep into the heart of the desert, Mysk Al Faya Retreat offers guests the opportunity to explore the true beauty of the Mlieha region, which was recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mleiha is home to several significant sites, including Bronze Age tombs, historical caves and pre-Islamic forts. Mysk Al Faya Retreat rises out of the beautiful dunes surrounding it and features only five rooms, all of which offer access to a saltwater pool and hands-free spa.
Mysk Kingfisher Retreat
A nature retreat offering a gateway to a unique world of conservation, Mysk Kingfisher Retreat is the perfect place to slow down. Set on the east coast of Sharjah, the beauty of the pristine beach and Indian Ocean waters is matched perfectly by refined interiors of soft beiges, blues and desert browns that dress the resort. Arrive on a private boat that will take you to your private island with modern tented accommodation featuring its own private pool, designed to provide comfort, privacy and amazing views of the Indian Ocean. With exclusive access to a pristine ecosystem, Mysk Kingfisher Retreat offers you a gateway to a unique world of conservation and culture and one that embraces Arabian heritage.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
Located deep within the world’s largest sand desert known as the Empty Quarter, Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara rises from flame-coloured dunes like a mirage, inviting adventure and a sense of true luxury. Traverse the desert by camel, dine under desert skies or unwind with hammam and desert rose rituals at this relaxing Abu Dhabi resort. With 140 rooms, 14 suites and 52 pool villas, guests are invited to admire endless dunes from their private oasis, with lush garden terraces facing arid beauty and elevated sunsets from private balconies. So whether you’re interested in camel rides or desert drives, Qasr Al Sarab offers an exciting base from which to experience Arabian warmth and hospitality.
Telal Resort Al Ain
Telal Resort is a luxurious five-star desert resort set amidst the Remah Desert on the outskirts of Al Ain, which was once home to the nomadic Bedouin tribes of the Emirates. Spanning approximately 80 square kilometres of natural conservation area, the resort, with its seven heritage rooms, three heritage suites and 14 tented-style private villas, is set against a backdrop of unmatched serenity and beauty. This unique destination recreates the traditions of the Emirati experience with its Desertology Spa, sunken pool and traditional souk. There’s even a helipad!
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
An hours drive north of Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, invites guests to connect with nature and culture amid the beauty of a 1,235-acre protected reserve. The resort’s experience concierge can arrange a desert trek on camel or horseback, a private archery lesson or an evening of stargazing. Better yet, the luxury villas, inspired by Bedouin architecture, feature private outdoor pools and breathtaking desert views. The luxury resort brings together pampering services with opportunities to discover the land and the people, creating an unforgettable experience for the entire family.
Tilal Liwa Hotel
Tilal Liwa Hotel is located amid rolling dunes and an unspoiled desert landscape on the edge of the Rub Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world. Constructed in a traditional style, this hotel offers an elegant retreat for those seeking a unique desert experience and the true spirit of Arabia. The hotel features 111 rooms and suites and authentic dining destinations, complemented by exciting recreational activities. It is also a stone’s throw from the annual Al Dhafra Festival, a showcase of the Bedouin lifestyle and home to the yearly camel beauty pageant.
