Sometimes you just need to get away from it all, and there’s no place more remote than the desert. Don’t think that you need to rough it though, here’s 8 desert resorts that allow you to escape in style.
1. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Built to look like an Arab fort, Bab Al Shams, sits around an oasis about 40 minutes away from Dubai. An exclusive low-rise resort in the desert surrounded by gently sloping dunes and natural desert landscape. This hotel features several open air restaurants so you can enjoy your Arabian or Indian food under the beautiful Arabian night sky.
http://www.meydanhotels.com/babalshams/
2. Adrère Amellal, Siwa, Egypt
If you feel that Bab Al Shams is still too fancy and you want a true desert experience to really get away from the world then Adrère Amellal is probably more your cup of tea. Forget air conditioning as there is absolutely no electricity here, the 40 hand-built mud rooms are lit by candles and the stars. The hotel overlooks the Egyptian Sand Sea in the Libyan Desert in the Siwa Oasis.
3. Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah
If the last description made you cringe but you still like the sound of being away from it all, then perhaps something more upmarket is your style. It’s not really an oasis but the hotel is built around a central pool to compensate. There’s distant views of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, while the hotel’s spa includes a floating therapy pavilion, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and yoga pavilion.
http://www.amanresorts.com/amangiri/home.aspx
4. Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Bedouin-inspired Al Maha Resort is nestled in a verdant palm oasis, deep within Dubai’s magical dune and desert landscape in the Dubai Desert Conservation. The indigenous Arabian wildlife can be viewed from the temperature-controlled infinity pool or sun deck seating area of all Villas. It offers guests an array of activities for exploring and enjoying the surrounding desert, from camel treks to dune drives.
5. Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel
Unlike others in this list who’ve chosen to blend into their surroundings, Beresheet Hotel decided to go a different route. Beresheet stands out with its modern façade at 800 metres above sea level on the edge of the Ramon Crater overlooking the seemingly endless landscape of Israel’s Negev Desert. Some of the rooms come with a private pool to help with the heat, or you can just stay indoors in the on-site cinema or game room.
http://www.isrotelexclusivecollection.com/beresheet/
6. Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Whereas the Beresheet has been built to stand out, Alto Atacama is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, designed to blend seamlessly into its environment and appear as a part of the terracotta-colored ridge that rises behind it. It features six pools, an outdoor lounge, an Andean garden, and a friendly herd of llamas and alpacas, the hotel’s open-air spaces encourage guests to appreciate the surrounding landscape.
7. Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
It may be designed to look like a tented camp but it’s far from roughing it. A tea deck, swimming pool, library, and wine cellar are just a few of the lavish amenities offered. Each of the nine spacious chalets with en-suite bathrooms has a private verandah which rewards you with breathtaking views of the Namib Desert. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is just like sleeping under the stars.
http://www.wolwedans.com/lodges-camps/dunes-lodge/
8. Banyan Tree Al Wadi Resort, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
This one feels like they gathered a team and said “right, what’s the main problem in being in the desert? Hydration!” and then they built a hotel to fix that problem. Let’s add private pools, some spas oh and why don’t we just add some hydrotherapy just in case they don’t have enough ways to hydrate themselves. Top that off with some opulent design and you’ve pretty much got Banyan Tree Al Wadi Resort.
http://www.banyantree.com/en/em-uae-al-wadi
