1. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
On the outskirts of Abu Dhabi lies The Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand desert, and rising up from flame-coloured dunes like a mirage is Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. As secluded as they come, you’ll see nothing bar undulating dunes during your stay, as the 206-key hotel invites the utmost in lavish escapism. Earth-tone rooms, suites and villas seamlessly marry rustic yet regal design, while in-the-know travellers book either a pool villa that comes with butler, outdoor shower and private pool, or an opulent 130sqm Royal Pool Pavilion that is secluded from the main resort, and features a pool, cabanas, indoor/outdoor dining areas and, of course, a private butler too.
Your desert adventure is all-encompassing at Qasr Al Sarab: traverse the Rub’ al Khali by camelback, watch a falcon and Saluki show, dine atop a dune under the desert skies, unwind with a Moroccan hammam, or simply hole up and revel in your uninterrupted oasis and watch the sun set over the sands. Here, the only real onus is on allowing your desert journey to elicit awe, romance and the spirit of Arabia. We promise, it won’t be hard to do.
2. Bvlgari Resort Dubai
Conceived of and executed by the Italian architecture firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, Bvlgari Resort Dubai is a beacon of chic simplicity. Few hotels evoke such a sense of refined elegance as Bvlgari, while its design draws on its ocean setting, with nautical-inspired luxury that perfectly captures Italian sensibility, whilst melding Mediterranean charm with Middle Eastern embellishment. The 1.4-million-square-foot hotel sits on its own seahorse-shaped island, and is also home to the world’s first Bvlgari Yacht Club & Marina. The resort’s coral-like sunshade that wraps around the façade of the building is iconic in itself. The rooms, suites and villas are the height of pared-back sophistication, where beach pool villas come with kitchenette, temperature-controlled pool and landscaped garden, all just steps from the beachfront.
Want to elevate your vacation? Then claim the 540sqm Bvlgari Villa as your own, where a spectacular oval pool, 500sqm garden, terrace, private cinema, Jacuzzi, hammam, private butler and on-demand chef service are just a few of the toys to add to your armoury. Another jewel in this urban oasis is The Bvlgari Spa, a dreamy temple that houses a 25m indoor pool, hammam and an iconic vitality pool, wrapped in gold tiles, inspired by the ancient Caracalla Roman baths. As far as food goes, seven restaurants will tease sophisticated palates, with favourites including Il Ristorante – Niko Romito (the three-Michelin star chef), Hoseki’s nine-seat Japanese restaurant and Il Bar for a night-cap.
3. JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Hajar Mountains, in the heart of Hatta, JA Fort Hotel is one of the greatest places to escape for a get-away-from-it-all adventure. Not only is its rustic charm decidedly appealing, especially for those who are urban dwellers, its sense of remoteness truly allows you to unplug and recharge. Each of the hotel’s 55 rooms, suites and villas honour the beauty of the Great Outdoors, with a terrace or balcony boasting views of dappled skies, green gardens and stony peaks.
The hotel’s two swimming pools allow for leisurely days, but to be honest, most that come here come for adventure. An extensive array of indoor/outdoor pursuits will please even the most intrepid, with everything from zip-lining, survival training, rock climbing, mountain biking, archery and orienteering available on site. Or venture off-site for kayaking, pedal boats, Heritage Village tours or trail hikes. Here you can embrace your spirit of adventure and more.
4. One&Only Royal Mirage
Having just celebrated it’s 20th anniversary, One&Only Royal Mirage is something of a stalwart on Dubai’s hotel scene. And, like a fine wine, it gets better and better with age. Oozing tradition, Arabian authenticity and subtle sophistication, your arrival will herald a shift in gears. Despite being central to so much (Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach) the hotel is other-worldly, stealing you away to somewhere quite mystical and altogether serene, all helped by its surrounding 65 acres of immaculate gardens and meandering pathways.
Split between the Palace, Arabian Court and the Residence & Spa, the rooms, suites and villas all have one thing in coming... Timeless, refined luxury that never goes out of fashion. Days at the laid-back Drift beach club will roll into al fresco sundowners, while Beach Bar & Grill sets the scene for a truly stellar evening of seafood under the stars.
5. Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
A city escape with a difference... There really is nowhere else in Dubai quite like Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. Where else in the world can you shop until you drop, watch a private screening in a movie theatre, ski in a snow park, parley with a penguin and luxuriate in a Ski Chalet all before midnight? The beauty of this multifaceted property is its proximity to all the trappings of urban life, whilst still offering its guests an opportunity to step back and escape to somewhere wholly different. With so much going on around you, having a place to retreat to and call home will only elevate your vacation, and the hotel’s Aspen Ski Chalets are the quintessence of luxury seclusion. With one, two or three bedrooms, the Aspen Ski Chalets are at once rustic and refined, contemporary and sophisticated, with each proffering views over the powdery slopes of Ski Dubai’s snow-capped piste.
Channelling the warmth of a cosy lodge, the Aspen Ski Chalets are decked in dark brown colours and wooden floors with a stone faux fireplace going that extra mile to transport you to a winter retreat far, far away. Each chalet comes equipped with private check-in and check-out, kitchenette, a marble bathroom, daily breakfast in the Executive Lounge and 24-hour service catering to your every whim courtesy of your private butler. For those looking to switch their ski piste for a pool, the Aspen Pool Chalet is inspired by the luxuries of coastal living, and offers direct access to the two outdoor infinity pools. There really is something special about having an urban-cum-alpine destination right in the heart of one of the world’s busiest tourist centres – from city to slope, retreat with pleasure.
6. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai
Certainly one of the coolest and more contemporary properties in Dubai, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira sets its design wheels into over-drive with a concerted effort to blend Arabian tradition with nuanced modernism, resulting in a truly striking balance of both opulence and minimalism. With interiors brought to life by legendary designer Jeffrey Wilkes, the hotel’s lobby is a sight for sore eyes, with its ‘arbor’ of illuminated trees that scintillate all the more after sunset.
Its rooms and suites are an ode to elegance ¬ minimalist in accoutrements but maximalist in ambience, with an air of serenity throughout. A Premiere Sea View Suite has all the space you could need and then some, with its free-flow vast living area, bedroom, bathroom and ensuite. The aquamarine vistas of the Arabian Gulf beckon from your private terrace. By night, Tasca by José Avillez’s rooftop Portuguese will definitely please palates, or let al fresco dining at Netsu win your heart.
7. Habtoor Palace Dubai
Butler service for every guest, fine dining, sprawling gardens, and three sparkling pools just scratch the surface of what’s on offer at the grandiose Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Making up up Al Habtoor City’s triptych alongside Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and V Hotel Dubai, the hotel’s Beaux Arts-inspired design lavishes luxury at every turn. A gilded staircase flanks the lobby, winding up to the first level that is home to the regal Champagne Lounge, Sidra for afternoon tea, heritage French food at BQ ¬ French Kitchen & Bar and the hotel’s achingly cool eaterie, World Cut Steakhouse. Suite-wise, those with an eye for exclusivity should check into the sweeping 913sqm Winston Churchill Suite.
Served by a private elevator, it has three bedrooms, a majlis, plunge pool and rare art pieces from Churchill’s archive across the duplex. For more contemporary car enthusiasts, the Bentley Suite draws inspiration from the Bentley Mulsanne and is as cool as they come.
8. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
A grande dame of the UAE capital’s hotel scene, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is a luxury hotel that crafts boutique experiences. Extending over a majestic tower along the lavish coastline of west Corniche, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi emanates a sense of regal refinement felt the moment one steps through its doors and is welcomed by its sweeping two-sided staircase. Grandeur and refined luxury are key motifs here, where modernity combines with tradition, all working alongside a well-oiled, flawless and bespoke service. 56 suites allow for luxury at every turn, with six signature suites vying for your attention. The three-bedroom Abu Dhabi Penthouse Suite may well win, with its private elevator, the ‘skybridge’ living room, five-guest cinema, and two-storey majlis. Each guest room and suite is equipped with the St. Regis Butler Service, meaning you literally don’t have to lift a finger, and for those seeking more contemporary luxury, you’ll find it in a Grand Deluxe Suite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, unobstructed views over the Arabian Gulf and quite possibly the most Instagrammed bath-tub in the region.
Beyond your room, Nation Riviera Beach Club’s 200 metres of pristine private beach should instil upon you a sense of calm, while the Middle East’s first Rémede Spa, all 3,200sqm of it, will serve as your urban wellness sanctuary. Relax, linger or languish where you please… you’ll feel like royalty whatever you choose. For those looking to celebrate in such refined surroundings, the hotel’s 1,300sqm Al Mudhaif ballroom is an excellent proposal for private events, weddings and grand gatherings, but if you’re looking to mingle more freely, Villa Toscana conjures up notions of a stately Italian summer residence amid hand-crafted specialties from Tuscany and Umbria, or eat outdoors at the decidedly elegant The Terrace on the Corniche for an evening of sophisticated and al fresco Middle Eastern fare.
9. Fairmont The Palm
Capitalising on its prime real-estate location on Palm Jumeirah, Fairmont The Palm is plumped perfectly along Golden Mile, meaning access to beach, Nakheel Mall and unrivalled views of the glittering Marina skyline all comes part of the package. Central but not imposingly so, the beauty of this property is the sense of being somewhere remote and relaxing. Whilst many venture here for long holiday stays, the hotel opens itself up to UAE residents, with its beach, daycation and staycation packages, allowing those who live close by to really immerse themselves in splendour and escapism even just for a short while. With an essence of Arabian luxury permeating every space, the hotel’s contemporary opulence leaves breathing room for those who like modern-yet-traditional design, with its rooms and suites all stylish and spacious.
However, the real charm of Fairmont The Palm goes beyond the bedroom, with its offering of activities curated around every age group. Daycation-ers can swim, chill and relax along West Palm Beach, with its two-kilometre stretch of beach and promenade. While staycation-ers can while away their hours between the beach, the hotel’s four pools, the award-winning Willow Stream Spa, or settling in at one of 11 world-class restaurants that will take you on a culinary journey from Arabia to Europe and South America. Whatever you fancy goes here, be it relaxation, retail therapy or ray-catching... Just relax and revel in Fairmont The Palm’s all-encompassing approach.
