Al Quadra Road, opposite Endurance City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (888) 616-5829
A luxury desert resort experience
About 45-minutes' drive from central Dubai (a con for some)
Bedouin-style guest rooms with lanterns and traditional furniture
Infinity pool with desert views, and a separate children’s pool
Spa with treatment rooms, plus fitness center and hair salon
Four excellent restaurants including outdoor Arabic dining
Rooftop terrace bars with stunning views
24-hour room service
Free Wi-FI
Not as secluded as other desert resorts
Breakfast not included
Hallways and guest rooms are dark
Car parking costs extra
This 115-room luxury property offers a desert resort experience a 45-minute drive from central Dubai. There are some good facilities here,
including an infinity pool, spa offering poolside massages, four excellent restaurants, and stunning
rooftop terraces. Rooms are perhaps not as glamorous as some may
expect from a five-pearl property, but instead are decorated in the
traditional Bedouin style to fit in with the surroundings. This is a popular, family-friendly
resort and attracts a range of guests, including business travelers looking for something a bit different. However, guests should not expect a secluded oasis, as the atmosphere is quite lively. Those
seeking a romantic break might want to check out Al Maha Desert
Resort, which is quieter, more isolated, and doesn't allow young children.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A family-friendly Arabian retreat with luxe traditional touches
Geared towards tourists wanting to try the desert experience, Bab Al
Shams offers an alternative to the glitz and glamour of central Dubai. It’s a
sprawling and attractive building in the style of an Arabian fort, although
much of the building is hidden by trees. There are a beautiful pool area and some
stunning rooftop terraces with fantastic views. The rooftop decor, as with the restaurants and common areas, includes colorful woven rugs, traditional lanterns, and thatched-wood for a bohemian vibe. Couples and families with young
children make up many of the guests, and it's also popular for conferences --
ideal for those wanting to host a business event in a more unusual setting. Being
a five-pearl resort, there are thoughtful and luxurious touches like fruit and
chocolates in the rooms, and fruit kebabs and iced towels by the pool. It’s not
always the peaceful oasis that guests might expect, though -- it has a busier,
more bustling feel than other desert resorts and isn’t as secluded.
Location
In the desert, a 45-minute drive from Dubai’s center
Due to the nature of the resort, there aren't shops, restaurants, or attractions on the doorstep here. It's around a 45-minute drive from
central Dubai. However, guests shouldn't expect endless sand dunes, as other buildings and roads can be seen in the distance. An access road leads out to the main road, which also detracts from the isolation one might hope to feel at a desert property. It’s about a 45-minute drive from here to Dubai International Airport.
Rooms
Cozy rooms with modern amenities and Bedouin flair
Guest rooms have a desert or courtyard view and are traditionally
decorated in a Bedouin style. They have stone-colored walls, dark wood
furniture, ornate lanterns, and deep-red patterned rugs. The windows are small, so there's not a lot of natural light, and previous guests have complained that
the rooms are too dark. The windows do have sweet wooden shutters, and cozy window seats piled high with cushions. Each room is air-conditioned and has a minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee facilities, safe, and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms have
balconies, and in-room massages can be booked. Bathrooms also have a
traditional feel, with natural-color stone and wall lanterns; some have bathtubs and all have rain showerheads.
Features
Stunning infinity pool, al fresco Arabic cuisine, rooftop lounges, and live entertainment
There's 24-hour room service, and the hotel offers a good range of dining options, including
an Italian Pizzeria, an Indian restaurant, and an international restaurant. The
resort's most noted eatery is Al Hadheerah, where Arabic
cuisine is prepared in outdoor wood-fired ovens, and guests can enjoy live music, traditional dancing, and even falconry, camels, and horses; weekend evenings end with fireworks. For drinks, there are rooftop lounges; a cozy, golden-lit bar off the lobby; and a pool bar serving pricey cocktails.The rooftop bar has cushioned seating areas, open fires, and water features -- it's very popular at sunset, as views are spectacular, and live music is performed by a traditional Oud player. A buffet breakfast is available, but is not
included in rates and is on the expensive side. The hotel has a stunning infinity pool with desert views, and a separate children’s pool. The full spa has a sauna and hot tub, and guests can use the modern fitness center or visit the hair salon. Those not here on vacation can make use of the business
center and meeting room. Parking and an airport shuttle are available for fees.
