Ladies daze at Sir Bani Yas
Sir Bani Yas Island is a destination famed, first and foremost, for it’s fauna, but the trifecta of Anantara resorts is now doing more put guests at ease with a new exclusive beach concept for ladies.
The private beach club at the UAE royal nature reserve will be serviced entirely by female staff. Arriving this December, the beach will allow ladies to have the ultimate in a beach day out, with the option of three private beach sites on the 87-square-kilometre island.
“Your Own Beach for a Day” experience includes the use of sunbeds, beach towels and shade parasols, a female beach butler providing support with the service of a picnic style lunch and soft beverages as well as arranging snorkelling equipment, cold towels, cold sliced fruits and sunglasses cleaning for up to eight ladies.
Each villa can hold eight guests between 11am and 4pm, decked out in state-of-the-art amenities and styled with eye-catching Arabian touches and antiquities echoing the UAE’s culture and history. Whether you’re keen to tackle archery, kayak among mangroves or bike around the island, all experiences can be provided by female attendants.
Options include the family-friendly Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort, which is reminiscent of an ancient Pearl Fishing village, and the Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort, nestled within the Arabian Wildlife Park with an African lodge-like ambience.
Cruise liners alight for Anantara
This new beach concept was announced just as two luxury cruise vessels made maiden calls at the island. Island Sky, one of the finest small ships in the world owned by Noble Caledonia, was the first cruise vessel to visit Sir Bani Yas Island.
“We are introducing this new beach stopover to cruise liners as part of our on-going efforts to reinforce the Emirate’s appeal as a leading cruise tourism destination in the region. This beautiful beach destination will definitely enrich the itinerary of the visiting cruise ships,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports.
The 114-passenger capacity vessel arrived November 16 for a day-long stay and Seabourn Sojourn, a 450-passenger capacity vessel owned by Carnival Corporation, docked at the Island November 19, for a daytime holiday.
“The 2015/16 cruise season will be a defining moment in the development of Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s most exciting emerging cruise destinations,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director of Tourism at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. “The addition of the Arabian Gulf’s first dedicated cruise beach stopover at Sir Bani Yas Island adds weight to Abu Dhabi’s distinct and diversified shore excursion opportunities.”
Seabourn Soujorn