The UAE’s topography is beautiful and varied, from the white sands and warm waters of the Arabian Gulf coastline to the twinkling city centres. But one of the dreamiest ways to experience the UAE is at a desert resort – embracing the enigmatic beauty of the burnt orange, or cream coloured, dunes of its many deserts and conservation, seeing the blood orange sunset turn the desert liquid gold, and experiencing Bedouin culture and heritage. Here are the very best desert resorts in the UAE for every traveller and price point.
Best desert resorts in the UAE 2024
Desert Resorts in Dubai
Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort
Best for: a chic weekend away, and families
Location: Dubai Desert
For a fun, family-friendly taste of the desert, a short drive from the city, you can’t do better than Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort. Following a huge renovation, the iconic and much-loved property has re-opened with an eclectic mix of velvet, gold and marble amongst the desert dunes. Spread across 16 two-storey buildings, the 115-room resort is the longest-running desert escape in the UAE (launched in 2004) and a popular weekend staycation spot. Arabic for ‘Gateway to the Sun’, much of Bab Al Shams’ favourite features remain the same, including the stunning swimming pool, the iconic Al Hadheerah restaurant, feature archways and the exterior facade. Many of the rooms boast private courtyards dotted with swaying desert palm trees – visitors can also opt for a suite with views straight out to the sand dunes. You’ll still find camels and belly dancers – a highlight to many when it comes to a desert escape – but alongside that, there is a more subtle approach to ‘Arabia’, an elevated F&B offering and a bit more style.
Low season doubles from AED720 per night, high season from AED1,530; Al Qudra Road – opposite Endurance City – Dubai; babalshams.com
Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Best for: romance, ultra luxury and exclusivity
Location: Dubai Desert Conservation
Things change suddenly when driving from Dubai to Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. The high rises and residential compounds give way to sandy planes, and eventually when entering Dubai’s protected desert conversation, glorious burnt-orange dunes. As far as desert retreats in the UAE go, Al Maha is regarded as one of the most luxurious and romantic. Set within 225 sq kilometres of protected land, it’s home to picture-perfect private pool villas with tented ceilings and modern facilities like private en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. Guests spend their ways gazing out onto the hypnotising dunes, even more so at sunset, enjoying desert activities like desert drives, camel rides and archery, and the resort’s sumptuous spa. This is one of the best hotels in Dubai for a honeymoon proposal, milestone celebration or bucket-list trip.
Tents from AED3,090; book now
Nest by Sonara
Best for: a luxe glamping experience under the desert stars
Location: Dubai Desert Conservation
One of Dubai’s best glamping experiences lies just a 40-minute drive out of the city in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Part of Sonara, a luxury desert activities and experiential dining camp in the heart of the conservation, Nest By Sonara offers guests the chance to take the experience further by enjoying the night under the desert skies – staying in a retro-futuristic type private pod designed by award-winning architect Gianni Ranaulo. There are 14 ‘nests’ in total spread across the sands – almost camouflaged due to their curved exterior and chic earthy interiors – and each has an ensuite bathroom, private terrace and double bed (an extra bed can be added on request for up to two children). The standard nest experience runs from 4 pm to 10:30 am the following day and includes sunset drinks and food, soft archery, a desert camel trek, sky safari with an astronomer and breakfast. For an extra AED480 guests can enjoy access to the main Sonara camp, with drinks and snacks, a three-course dinner, live entertainment and unlimited desert activities.
From AED 2,680, nara.ae/nest
Desert Resorts in Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara
Best for: magical Arabian glamour and One Thousand and One Nights vibes
Location: Empty Quarter
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara lies in the western reaches of Abu Dhabi almost touching Saudi Arabia in what is fittingly known as the Empty Quarter. The rolling burnt-orange dunes of Rub’ al Khali stretch as far as the eye can see, over what is the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world (an area the size of France). It’s a truly magical setting: a fortified compound that seems to rise in front of the desert sands like a mirage complete with faux watchtowers and castle walls. Rooms, suites and private pool villas are finished with Islamic touches like patterned rugs, wooden chests, lamps and latticed furniture and it’s not uncommon to spot a camel grazing from your private terrace. The resort is 75 miles from Abu Dhabi airport but comes prepared for guests to bed down and not leave with its kids’ club, Anantara Spa, 12 dining options and a Rolodex of desert activities.
Doubles from AED 1,500; anantara.com
Telal Resort Al Ain
Best for: a laid-back, unpretentious desert escape without the high price tag
Location: Remah Desert
Telal Resort Al Ain offers a luxurious yet boutique desert resort in the UAE without the exorbitant price tag, set amidst an Arabian oasis on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain city. Its home of the Remah Desert was once home to the nomadic Bedouin tribes of the UAE and today offers an immersion into the past with its Zaman Lawal Heritage Village, tented villas, authentic Emirati dining experiences and traditional, and fun-filled, activities like falconry, archery, horse and camel riding and sandboarding. The air-conditioned one, two and three-bedroom villas have low-hung tented ceilings, Arabian decor and outdoor majlis creating a cosy and authentic vibe, yet have iPad-controlled lighting, great wi-fi and flat-screen TVs.
Doubles from AED580; telalresort.ae
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Best for: activities and family trips
Location: Al Wathba desert
A 40-minute drive from the city centre and the buildings ebb away to cream-coloured sands. Here is where you’ll find one of the best-known and rated desert resorts in the UAE, Al Wathba Desert Resort, A Luxury Collection. The hotel started as Jumeirah in 2019 before transferring to Marriott in 2020, but things were largely the same. There are identical sumptuous villas with private pools overlooking nothing but sand, palm trees, large ceramic vases, and the tranquil Arabian spa line the elongated swimming pool. Unlike other desert resorts, there are more affordable rooms to choose from, rather than solely private villas, making it more approachable for those with smaller budgets. The elegant arabesque theme prevails all around, from the decorative rooms, suites and villas to the traditional Saray Spa, and the fragrance of tuberose dances in the air. Five restaurants span Lebanese, traditional Emirati, European, and desert activities, including camel and Arabian horse riding, dune bashing, archery, and riding the hotel’s in-house Waverider.
Doubles from AED1,400; marriott.com
Desert Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
Best for: exclusive desert luxury, Arabian tented villas and romance
Location: Al Wadi Desert
Located in the terracotta dunes of Ras Al Khaimah’s desert conservation, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is continuously rated as one of the best, if not the best, Ras Al Khaimah hotels. Though just a 50-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, the sprawling desert retreat feels like its on another planet – set in 1,235 acres of protected nature reserve with free-roaming Arabian gazelles, oryx and camels to keep guests company. Speaking of guests, visitors stay in private pool villas – the highest category being palatial tented villas – with private terraces overlooking the endless desert dunes. Rooms come with bicycles so guests can pedal through the lantern-lit grounds past traditional Arabic forts, greenery and wildlife to the Arabesuqw spa, activities centre for the likes of falconry, archery, horseriding and desert safaris, and the four restaurants – rooftop Moon Bar is an utterly spellbinding spot for sundowners with views across the desert. This is also one of the most popular spots in the county for proposals, romantic escapes and honeymoons.
Villas from AED 1,550 a night; Al Mazraa Wadi Khadija; ritzcarlton.com
Desert Resorts in Sharjah
Best for: casual weekends connecting with nature, families, stargazing and couple escapes
Location: Al Ruwaida
Mysk Moon Retreat
Bringing an eco-luxury take on family-friendly glamping to the breathtaking archaeological Mleiha Mysk Moon Retreat has been designed with desert adventures and budding glampers in mind. Guests check in to either one of 10 dome tents or six tents – four for families – each fitted with all the amenities guests would require for their stay, and many also come with the added luxury of a private pool. As well as the basics, resort-style facilities include personal barbeque grills, where guests can order ready-to-grill meals direct to their digs and cook out on their private terrace, surrounded by the dramatic desert landscape. Communal areas will offer spaces for guests to meet and mingle, from a reception area to the community space, where a bonfire and larger BBQ experience await. This is one of the most unique, picturesque and family-friendly hotels in Sharjah.
Tents from AED 1,275 per night; myskhotels.com; @myskmoonretreat
Mysk Al Badayer Retreat
Best for: Emirati-inspired rooms and mesmerising sunsets/sunrises
Location: Al Badayer
Proving Mysk’s domination of top hotels in Sharjah once again, the collection operates a picturesque desert retreat set in the heart of the emirate’s dunes. There are few places more magical to watch the sunrise and sunset – either from the balcony of your traditional home accommodation or private tented retreat. There are 21 tents and 10 Emirati-inspired rooms, all clad in traditional, earthy hues and with rustic Arabesque touches, and some tents have two bedrooms and private pools with views across the sands. There’s a spa, a large communal pool, an amphitheatre for entertainment and a handful of great dining options offering international and local cuisine.
Doubles from AED565; myskhotels.com
