Fancy a weekend escape from the capital? This week we swapped the hectic pace of city life for a luxurious retreat to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
The drive from the main road up to the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort was incredible and set the tone for our stay at the hotel. The driveway is 13km in length and is a winding road through the mountainous dunes of Rub al Khali or the Empty Quarter. The view was stunning and it felt like we were given a glimpse back to old UAE; there wasn’t an electricity mast in sight, we didn’t pass a single car, it was just us and the golden dunes rolling into the distance uninterrupted.
The resort itself looks like an ancient village of fort-like stone buildings and the architecture is Arabian-inspired. Guests can choose to stay in a deluxe room with a balcony, terrace or garden, the Anantara suite, a two or three bedroom villa, or a villa with a private pool. All options offer desert views.
“During the summer many guests come out here to get away from it all – for peace, quiet and total relaxation,” said the hotel’s spokesperson. “The villas with a private pool are the most popular option this time of year. They come with top-of-the-line butler service and we can even arrange for a personal chef to come to your villa and cook for you.”
Part of Qasr Al Sarab’s appeal was the novelty of not having to lift a finger – literally. We admit to having our sunglasses polished while we sat in the pool sipping mocktails.
The Anantara Spa was another highlight of our stay. The spa menu lists a variety of treatments suitable for all tastes and budgets, including the 230-minute Qasr Al Sarab Retreat, which is an all-over body treatment, and the three-day Anantara Recovery programme that includes a luxurious milky bath, a floral footbath, a facial and a Thai massage. We opted for the 60-minute Arabian Massage.
Floor to ceiling glass window walls allowed for an unspoilt view of the dunes from the treatment bed. As the sun slowly set our therapist got to work using her palms and elbows to apply just the right amount of pressure to our body, easing out any aches and pains, sending us to sleep.
When we emerged darkness had fallen and we walked around the resort under the starry night. If star spotting isn’t your forte, check out one of the old fashioned astrolabes dotted around the resort for some assistance – the astrolabes indicate the position of the sun, moon, stars and planets. The romantic possibilities of this resort are obvious and it came as no surprise to learn three men were inspired to go down on one knee during their stay here!
If you are in the mood for a romantic meal (or not-so-romantic depending on who you brought with you!) try the Al Waha Qasr Al Sarab restaurant, overlooking the pool. The menu offers a combination of Middle Eastern and international cuisine, with a touch of traditional Emirati ingredients.
The breakfast buffet deserves a special mention for the mouth-watering variety available; exotic fruit, honey served from a golden honeycomb, a live doughnut station, every type of cheese imaginable and a saj station, in addition to a choice of freshly cooked waffles, pancakes and eggs prepared to your liking.
The buffet was unique, lavish and exceeded our expectations – just like Qasr Al Sarab itself.
Activities available
We were too busy relaxing to try all of the activities available at Qasr Al Sarab. Other options available include:
Sunrise and sunset yoga on the dunes
Traditional cooking lesson
Henna painting
Desert walking
Desert excursions
Biking
Falconry
Sand duning
Tennis
Archery
For more information or to book your next hotel stay visit: www.qasralsarab.anantara.com or call: 02 886 2088.
