Here, TravelTimes presents “Desert Resort Hotels,” independently researched and ranging from famous spots to lesser-known hidden gems. The author has 25 years of experience traveling solo abroad, visiting over 100 regions in 40 countries worldwide. They have traveled to Dubai twice and Abu Dhabi once.

“Desert Resort Hotels”

I first learned about desert resort hotels around 2014 when I was planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates. The sheer beauty of the landscape, the incredible architectural styles, and the promise of an utterly extraordinary experience were vividly apparent.

There are several desert hotels accessible from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Since these hotels are located in the heart of the desert, they are far removed from the city, making them unsuitable as a base for city sightseeing. Instead, they are perfect for a 1-2 night stay, immersing oneself in the grandeur of nature. This is what a “desert resort hotel” offers—an experience completely different from what you’d get in modern city hotels.

You can expect a unique and unforgettable time, and booking these hotels individually is straightforward. All of them offer the option of arranging paid transportation services.

When searching for “desert hotels” on hotel booking websites, you won’t find a specific category. For this research, I primarily used maps to locate them. Agoda, Booking.com, and Trip.com were particularly helpful, as they offered a wide selection of desert resorts. Foreign-based booking platforms proved to be strong in this niche. Additionally, I discovered hidden desert resorts that aren’t listed in guidebooks.

Now, let me introduce you to a curated selection of desert resorts.

INDEX:
・Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort
・Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
・Telal Resort
・Al Badayer Retreat
・Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
・Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
・Mafraq Hotel Abu Dhabi
・Tilal Liwa Hotel
・Arabian Nights Village
・Eco Retreat Jebel Hafit Desert Park
・Desert Safari Tour Camp

*The listed reference prices are for one room per night.
*Clicking on the photos will take you to the source on Agoda.

Al Maha a Luxury Collection Desert Resort

★★★★★

Ultra-luxurious desert resort hotels featured in guidebooks and magazines like CREA Traveller. With all-suite accommodations, prices range from approximately $1,000 to over $10,000 per night, placing them in the high-end category. The all-inclusive price covers all meals and activities during the stay. A favorite among global celebrities, these resorts are about a one-hour drive from Dubai.

In addition to accommodations, some safari tours include breakfast or lunch at these resorts. If you switch to satellite view using the button at the bottom left of Google Maps, you can clearly see their location in the middle of the desert.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort – Details and Reservations

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Located not too far from the city of Dubai, this hotel is a pioneer among desert hotels. As a staple in guidebooks, finding information should not be difficult. Prices range from $300 to $1500 per night. It is not all-inclusive, and since there are no other dining options in the vicinity, you should budget an additional $200 to $300 for meals.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa – Details and Reservations

Telal Resort

★★★★

It’s about a one and a half hour drive from Abu Dhabi, closer to Al Ain city. The villa-style rooms are stylish and chic.

Telal Resort – Details and Reservations

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

★★★★

A relatively new luxury resort, located about a 50-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Airport, so not too far away. It features a spacious pool and offers a large number of rooms, making it a sizable hotel. The rates are reasonable and highly recommended.

Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort

★★★★★

Located in the heart of the desert, about a 2.5-hour drive from Abu Dhabi, this is Anantara Group’s top-tier luxury hotel. It boasts a large resort with 200 rooms, offering impeccable quality throughout. Featured in guidebooks, it has become well-known. Prices range from $300 to $1800 for the highest suite.

Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort – Details and Reservations

Tilal Liwa Hotel

★★★★

A desert resort located about a three-hour drive from Abu Dhabi Airport. It features a stunning infinity pool facing the desert, blending Arabian architecture with modern style. While a bit farther away, it offers relatively affordable rates ranging from $300 to $500 per night, which is appealing.

Tilal Liwa Hotel – Details and Reservations

Pura Eco Retreat, Jebel Hafit Desert Park

★★★

Desert safari tour camp

Desert Safari Tour Camp follows the same route as the popular desert safari activity departing from Dubai, offering an outdoor experience where participants stay overnight in tents at the campsite reached during the tour. Prices for the tour start around ¥15,000. This is the most economical way to stay overnight in the desert.

Since it’s not a hotel, there are no restaurants, spas, or pools, but it provides a unique experience distinct from typical hotel stays. There are multiple campgrounds available, depending on the tour company arranging the trip.

For bookings from Japan, facilities can be reserved through tour reservation sites like kkday or TripAdvisor, as well as some accommodations available on Agoda.

※ Depending on the season, accommodations may not be available.

kkday：Dubai safari tour

TripadviserUAE

Dubaicanam Camp

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