Luxury vacation under the starry sky: We show the six most beautiful desert hotels

Fascinating barrenness: As inhospitable as deserts appear, these landscapes are also very fascinating. They have something mysterious, mystical and exotic about them that every German would like to experience: sand, dunes, camels and seclusion – as far as the eye can see. Not to forget the overwhelming starry sky that spans the deserts at night. We present six desert hotels where you can count as many shooting stars every night as only in fairy tales. Stargazing at its finest!

1. Ras Al Khaimah: Al Wadi Desert – insider tip in the north

The northernmost of the seven Arab Emirates is still relatively unknown, which makes Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) an insider tip. If you choose the small but fine emirate, you will find many beaches, but fewer high-rise buildings than in the neighboring emirates and no sand islands heaped up in the sea – the clocks tick differently here.

The sense of time no longer plays a role in the nature reserve of Wadi Khadeja when the Bedouin architecture of the 5-star hotel “Al Wadi Desert” emerges from the light desert sand. The 100 luxury villas are furnished in the usual style of the legendary Ritz Carlton hotels: elegant and noble furniture, with private sun decks and pools with self-adjustable water temperature, surrounded by small sand dunes for absolute privacy.

Bicycles are available for exploring the area, a bottle of champagne on arrival and butler service throughout the stay. Other unforgettable desert experiences await the “Al Wadi Desert” guests: a tennis match in the sand, the camel racetrack just a few kilometers away and the deserted Al-Qasimi Royal Palace.

• Prices: Double room with breakfast from 750 euros

2. Dubai: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa – Luxury vacation and the white oryx

The white oryx antelope is an outstanding desert animal: The smallest antelope species has white fur, long, thin and slightly curved horns and can go up to four months without water. In Arabic it is called “Al Maha” and the ultimate luxury resort from the “Luxury Collection” of the hotel chain Marriott, which is located in the “Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve”, is named after her. Vacationers who don’t just want to experience the superlatives of the city of Dubai will find the perfect contrasting program here.

The 5-star retreat is only 45 minutes from the metropolis – in the middle of the sandy desert. The 42 suites offer unforgettable views over the gold and orange tones of the sand and the gently rolling dunes on the horizon from their private pools.

If you want to explore the area, you can do this on the back of a camel or horse, as is typical for the country, or more comfortably in an air-conditioned off-road vehicle on a “Wild Life Drive”. Back at the hotel, a barbecue awaits on the “Hajar Terrace Bar” under the starry sky. On request, the 24-hour butler can also prepare a private dinner by the candlelit pool.

• Prices: Double room with breakfast from 487 euros

3. Dubai: Hotel Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa – Infinity pool in the desert

An oasis of date palms 45 minutes drive from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, the 5-star Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is an easily accessible place for desert adventures.

The resort, designed in the style of a traditional Arabian fortress, has everything you wouldn’t expect in the middle of the desert: three pools, including a perfectly temperature-controlled infinity pool, a spa with a sauna and pampering treatments, five restaurants, four bars, and a kids’ club.

The 115 Arabian-style rooms have four-poster beds, but it would be a shame to spend all day in them, as an archery range, falconry, camels, and horses await guests. If you want to get to know more about the desert ecosystem, go on a hike or jeep safari with a guide to discover gazelles, antelopes, birds and geckos in the world of sand.

• Prices: Double room with breakfast from 280 euros

4. Qatar: Regency Sealine Camp – where the desert meets the sea

There are few places on earth where ocean and desert meet. Qatar, which is hosting the soccer World Cup at the end of 2022, is one of those magical places. A good hour’s drive south of the capital Doha, the rocky desert turns into a sandy desert.

Dunes of very fine sand, up to 100 meters high, whose nameless color is a mix of soft pink, pearly white and light yellow, kiss the blue sky. Or is it the sea? Down on the beach is the Regency Sealine Camp, which opened in 2020. The name camp comes from the fact that there are also 15 traditional tents for rent in this luxury complex – with private bathrooms, air conditioning, carpeted floors and complete furniture, of course.

For guests who prefer solid walls, there are 26 rooms and suites available. Low-rise buildings with panoramic windows and views across the ubiquitous sand to the sea. Palm-thatched huts with lounge beds and white curtains flapping in the breeze await along the beach like a string of pearls. A swing protrudes from the turquoise blue water – for ultimate feelings of freedom, space, love of life and merging with the beauty of nature.

It gets even more romantic after sunset, when candles flicker on the restaurant tables on the beach, the campfire burns and the stars glow like lanterns in the sky. Because there are no disturbing light sources far and wide. If you want more action, you can go desert paragliding, dune bashing (speeding across the dunes in a jeep) or camel riding.

• Prices: Double room with half board from 430 euros, 4-person luxury tent with half board from 217 euros; more info belowwww.regencysealinecamp.com

5. Abu Dhabi: Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort – oriental palace in the desert

After a two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi, the desert resort “Qasr al Sarab” appears like a mirage – in the midst of sand dunes that are up to 100 meters high. The 5-star hotel, which belongs to the luxury hotel chain Ananatara, is located in the Rub al Khali sand desert, which is said to be the largest sand desert in the world.

Its 140 rooms, 14 suites and 51 villas are built in the style of an Arabian oasis city. That means: many small individual buildings with oriental archways, turrets and domes, in which four to six rooms are arranged around an inner courtyard.

All rooms have an oversized round bathtub and an unobstructed view of the endless expanse of the desert. The secluded location and tranquility amidst sand dunes gives the palatial hotel a touch of Arabian Nights. Speaking of the night: the 360-degree view of the starry sky from the balcony or terrace is overwhelming.

• Prices: Double room with breakfast from 480 euros

6. Abu Dhabi: Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa – Snow in the desert

If you don’t want to drive that far, you can reach the “empty district” in just one hour from downtown Abu Dhabi. This is the name of the region on the edge of the largest sandy desert on earth, where the 5-star hotel “Al Wathba” opened in 2019. A place of rest and relaxation with a distant view of the dunes on the horizon and a fancy spa. On 2200 square meters, guests will not only find a hammam, various saunas and steam baths, but also a salt room and a room full of snow.

The snow room is the perfect refreshment after a desert safari or a round of golf at one of the nearby golf courses. At sunset, a cocktail awaits at the bar before dinner in one of the three restaurants.

And a few more facts: The “Al Wathba”, which belongs to the premium segment of the Marriott hotel chain, has 103 rooms and suites, 13 villas with pools and millions of stars twinkling at night.

• Prices: Double room from 316 euros