This month, it's all about the best rooms, suites and villas to bed down in across the Middle East, gifting you the most sensational staycation experience possible
1. A SLEEK SUITE
Spanning the 48th and 50th floors of Four Seasons Riyadh, the two-storey Kingdom Suite is the epitome of luxury living, with a soaring living room, private office, media room, kitchen and sweeping views over the city. Spread over 365sqm, this suite is all about space, where light floods in from every angle. The main bathroom is marble from floor to ceiling, with rich blue-grey veins rippling through. Bed down here and you’ll also get round-trip airport transfers, daily breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, a private bar, a dedicated personal attendant and more. Plus, if you stay for three nights, you’ll get the third for free. For something different, book a candelit dinner at Sky Bridge.
2. AN ARABIAN ADVENTURE
Proving that Dubai is so much more than skyscrapers and gilded malls, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa – just 45 minutes from Dubai’s city centre – takes guests on an Arabian adventure like no other. A private, guest-only oasis hidden in the dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, it’s all palm groves, emerald canopies, secluded tranquillity and tented luxury. Filled with Arabian antiques and artefacts, the Presidential Palace allows you to really immerse yourself in Arabian history, while your private pool overlooking the desert landscape – often peppered with grazing oryx and gazelle – is the ultimate in discreet escapism.
3. THE ART OF ELEGANCE
Oozing Armani minimalism, the Armani Dubai Suite – stretching out over 390sqm – is a one-of-its-kind suite designed by Giorgio Armani himself. Perched on level 39 of Armani Hotel Dubai, it dishes out pretty spectacular views of both Burj Khalifa and Arabian Gulf from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The layout features a beautiful circular entrance vestibule, powder rooms, and sleeps six people, while the design is as pared back as you’d expect from Armani in a monochromatic palette of brushed grey stone, browns and golds. A stay in the Armani Dubai Suite comes with return airport transfers, breakfast and At The Top tickets to Level 124 at Burj Khalifa. Make a night of it with dinner at Armani/Ristorante to complete your Italian adventure.
4. THE ITALIAN JOB
If you’re looking for space from your staycation, the 540sqm Bulgari Villa at Bulgari Resort Dubai is the last word in chic, with three bedrooms and a grand-spanking 500sqm garden, private terrace and pool to boot. Oh, and there’s also a home cinema for elevated movie nights, an indoor hydromassage, hammam and gym. Inside, it’s all soft muted tones of cream and taupe against brown leather sofas, elegant light fixtures and Arabic artwork that pull together to feel modern yet cosy. Can’t bear to tear yourself away? Then just order in with room service from one of the hotel’s seven restaurants – feast on Italian from Il Ristorante - Niko Romito or Japanese from Hoseki in the height of luxury.
5. A DOHA PIED-À-TERRE
Immerse yourself in a little French savoir-faire with a stay in the Parisian Suite at Raffles Doha - a lavish 403 square metre two-bedroom residence floating across the hotel’s 30th floor. The interiors resemble that of a Haussmann apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arondissement, with lofty ceillings, beautiful furnishings, unique objets d’art and an old-world glamour that meets modern connectivity. Designed in a soft palette of creams and golds, the suite features two bedrooms, oversized bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and huge terrace with outdoor lounge and dining area. There’s also a home theatre, fully-equipped gym and just an over-riding air of cosy-yet-contemporary Parisian chic.
6. DESERT OASIS
If you’re looking for some escapism but prefer to travel en masse, the Sahra Villa at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara will tick all the boxes. Sahra, which translates to ‘desert’, is the resort’s most palatial villa standing at 489 square metres, with four bedrooms, lounge, dining room, a vast terrace, and private pool that overlooks the blazing dunes. A stay here also bags you untold amounts of privacy, as well as two-way airport transfers, a dedicated Villa Butler, in-villa breakfast and a complimentary in-villa BBQ dinner with your own private chef. You probably won’t want to leave your villa, but if you do, horse riding, camel treks, spa treatments and stargazing await.
7. JEWEL OF ARABIA
The hotel that needs no introduction, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, taking hospitality beyond the realms of five star. As lavish as hotels come, this sail-shaped property sits on its own island, and is home to the most refined and glitzy suites in the city. No stone is left unturned when it comes to creature comforts, from the rich materials on floor to soft furnishings to ceiling drapery, to the amenities in the bathroom (Hermès, of course), to the world-class butler service that ensures you won’t need for anything. From the sky-high Sky Palm Suite to Deluxe Two Bedroom Suite to the roomy Burj Three Bedroom Family Suite, you’ll sleep in the lap of luxury wherever you choose to bed down.
8. ISLAND ESCAPISM CLOSE TO HOME
How about a tropical island experience without having to get on a plane? Sounds good, huh! Nurai Island is just a 15-minute boat ride off the coast of Abu Dhabi, where a ultra-luxe, white-washed all-villa resort lies in wait. A contemporary slice of paradise, its villas come with a personalised butler service, and range from a Beach Villa to Pool House to the sprawling five- and six-bedroom Estate Villas. Full of light, the 1,672-square-metre Estate Villas feature a private garden, private beach, an infinity pool, reflecting pool, and outdoor dining area. Offering a complete immersion in the Arabian Gulf vistas beyond, peace and privacy are the order of the day - every day.