Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Places to Stay ❮❮ 117

coast resort offers a idyllic retreat from the roams the grounds, giving
blissful beachside break hectic pace of urban life. the whole place almost
from the big cities, with The superbly equipped the feel of an African
upmarket style and rooms come with private bush camp, while the
facilities for well under pool and all mod-cons, lavishly appointed tented
the price of similar hotels while the surrounding suites offer plenty of
in either Dubai or Abu polo fields create an luxury, including
Dhabi. It lies close to the enjoyably country private plunge pools.
equally large, though atmosphere and the
less overpowering, Le spa is second to none. Anantara Sir Bani
Méridien Al Aqah. Yas Islands Resort
Kempinski Sir Bani Yas Island (a
Al Ain Rotana Hotel Ajman 90-minute drive from
120th St, Al Ain • 03 754 Ajman • 06 714 5555 Abu Dhabi) • 02 656
5111 • www.rotana.com/ • www.kempinski.com 1399 • www.sir-bani-
alainrotana • DD • DD yas-island.anantara.com
The best hotel in Al Ain, In the tiny emirate of • DDD
centrally located and with Ajman, just north of One of the UAE’s most
a fine array of five-star Sharjah, the Kempinski magical – and unusual –
facilities. The lovely offers a convenient places to stay. The resort
gardens and pools are retreat from the big-city is located on Sir Bani
great for daytime lazing, bustle of nearby Dubai. Yas Island, which was
while the hotel’s excellent Despite this beachfront transformed by Sheikh
restaurants, including the resort’s dated appear- Zayed in the 1970s into
Arabian-style Min Zaman ance, the hotel remains a remarkable nature
and the lively Trader Vics, profoundly relaxing, with reserve teeming with
are enjoyable places to fine gardens, a beautiful wildlife ranging from
relax after dark. pool and a private white- indigenous Arabian oryx
sand beach perfect for to prancing giraffes. The
Anantara Qasr idle lounging. main resort itself is one
Al Sarab of the country’s most
A 90-minute drive from Le Méridien Al Aqah palatial, and there are
Abu Dhabi • 02 886 2088 Beach Resort also two separate luxury
• www.qasralsarab. E99 coastal highway, eco-lodges – Al Yamm
anantara.com • DD Fujairah • 09 244 9000 and Al Sahel – deeper
Looking like something • www.lemeridien- inside the reserve.
out of Lawrence of Arabia, alaqah.com • DD
this magical fortress-style On idyllic Al Aqah Beach Bab Al Shams Desert
resort sits majestically in with the Hajar Mountains Resort and Spa
the middle of the desert forming the backdrop, Emirates Rd • 04 809
surrounding the spec- this towering resort is one 6498 • www.meydan
tacular Liwa Oasis, the of the east coast’s major hotels.com/babalshams
UAE’s finest area of landmarks, with five-star • DDD
unspoilt wilderness. facilities and huge Spectacular resort hidden
Rooms feature five-star grounds. It’s a good place away in the desert, just a
luxuries and there are to set up diving trips. 45-minute drive from
private villas, each with a Dubai. Built in the style
pool and butler service. Al Maha Desert of a traditional Arabian
Resort and Spa fort, the resort has top-
Desert Palm Dubai Desert Conservation class facilities including
Al Ain highway • 04 323 Reserve (60km/37 miles a stunning infinity pool
8888 • www.desertpalm. from Dubai) • 04 832 9900 and the memorable
peraquum.com • DD • www.al-maha.com Al Hadheerah open-air
On the fringes of Dubai, • DDD desert restaurant. This
around a 20-minute drive Idyllic desert retreat in is a great place to enjoy
from the airport, the the heart of the Dubai desert activities, such
intimate little Desert Desert Conservation as camel riding and
Palm resort offers an Reserve. Rare wildlife falconry displays.
For a key to hotel price categories see p112

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