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.
rising from the desert like a mirage
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