Condé Nast TravelerSep 12, 2025
8 Stunning Desert Resorts in the UAE
Among the dramatic dunes of the UAE's sprawling deserts, private pool villas, protected wildlife areas, and unbeaten tranquility await.
villas perfect for spotting wildlife patrolling it
29 things in this story
- Terra Solis, DubaiHotelDubai's newest glamping experience
- MesaTrain stationrestaurant at Terra Solis, inspired by 'Tastes of the World'
- Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu DhabiHotelrising from the desert like a mirage
- Saray SpaPlaceresort's spa
- Telal Resort Al Ain, Abu DhabiHotelboutique hotel set on former nomadic Bedouin stomping grounds
- The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al KhaimahHotelvillas dotted through the protected Al Wadi Nature Reserve
- Mysk Al Faya Retreat, SharjahHoteltransformed plot of abandoned buildings
- Al MahaSuburbnamed after the UAE's national animal
- Dubai Desert Conservation ReserveNature reserveAl Maha is located an hour outside Dubai in it
- Al DiwaanRestaurantmain resort area home to this all-day dining restaurant
- Timeless SpaPlaceoffers signature treatments
- Bab Al ShamsHotelDubai's longest-running desert resort
- Al HadheerahRestaurantoriginal Middle Eastern restaurant, spruced up
- ZalaRestaurantall-day dining restaurant dishes up plates
- Qasr Al SarabHotelReminiscent of a Bedouin village, the resort sits among the rolling dunes of the world's largest uninterrupted sand…
- Star Wars: The Force AwakensPlacemovie fans may recognize vistas from it
- DunePlacecast of the Oscar-winning hit stayed here
- TomorrowlandFestivalsame people behind world-famous electronic dance festival
- Al Wathba Wetland ReserveNature reserveresort is close to it
- Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by AnantaraHotelkingdom-like fortress emerged from the Rub Al Khali desert
- Rub Al Khali desertPlaceQasr Al Sarab emerged from it
- Remah DesertPlacehotel is tucked within the peaks of it
- Al Wadi Nature ReserveNature reservemore than 100 villas dotted through it
- Wadi Khadeja valleyPlacevillas perfect for spotting wildlife patrolling it
- The RainforestPlacehydrothermal suite at the Ritz-Carlton
- Mleiha desertPlacesurrounding area holds important archaeological discoveries
- The Rainforest hydrothermal suitePlace
- AnarchitectPlace
- Al WathbaSuburb