Staying at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai

Meaning “getaway to the sun” in Arabic, the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai is a five-star luxury desert resort. Set amid the sand dunes outside of Dubai, this top-notch resort is a true oasis.

With an award-winning spa, lush gardens, complimentary nightly camel rides, and refreshingly rustic style, Bab Al Shams has its own unpretentious brand of luxury that is far from the over-the-top glitz and glam you’ll find all over central Dubai.

Built in the traditional fashion of an Arabic fort, the Bab Al Shams is a place to lose yourself outside of the hustle and bustle of The City of Gold.

Here’s my experience staying at Bab Al Shams Resort in Dubai!

The Hotel

Located outside of Dubai and not far from Abu Dhabi, this TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awarded resort was built as a retreat for those of us looking to get away from it all.

With upscale restaurants, a luxe spa, a maze of swimming pools, yoga areas, outdoor fire pits, and romantic, shaded corridors, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is ripe for exploration.

While discount travel in Dubai might seem like an oxymoron, this low-rise resort has been rated the best value for the money in the area, so you know can get some bang for your buck here.

Close enough to serve as a base for exploring Dubai but far enough to make you feel secluded, the Bab Al Shams is an obvious pick for unwinding away from the high-rises of central Dubai.

The Rooms

Bab Al Shams offers superior rooms, deluxe rooms with terraces, and deluxe suites fit for a queen. The rooms feature all of the perks that you would expect from a five-star resort like top-grade beds, in-room massages, 24-hour room service, and powerful AC that will keep you going in the United Arab Emirates.

Bab Al Shams has 113 guest rooms and is a far cry from any ultramodern chain hotel. Giving a nod to the old days of Arabic desert forts, this place is the ultimate blend of rich, traditional Emirati decor and ultramodern conveniences.

Food & Drink

With eight unique restaurants and bars, Bab Al Shams has everything from local Arabic cuisines to Indian delicacies to Italian favorites. You can find food from pretty much every corner of the globe here.

More than just a restaurant, the Arab-style Al Hadheerah is set among the sand dunes and offers a full entertainment experience. Watch a falconry display, a horse show, a camel caravan, or an impressive tanoura dancing show while having dinner.

You can get a sense of what traditional Arabic culture really looks like, and experience a page out of the famous One Thousand and One Nights.

For a world-class scene, lounge at the swim-up pool bar or head up to the Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge for panoramic views of the surrounding desert.

Activities

When you are ready to get moving, there are countless options at the Bab Al Shams. Work up a sweat at the fitness center or go cycling. Get up close and personal with the friendly locals during a desert safari and falconry display, or head off to ride your own camel.

After a day exploring under the hot sun of Dubai, the Satori Spa is the place to revitalize- it offers a sauna, fragranced steam rooms, an outdoor yoga area, massage tents, and poolside massages. From the Absolute Foot Ritual package to the Indian head massage, the Satori Spa is a full-service stop.

Feeling sporty? Go for a game of table tennis, mini-golf, or lawn games. Maybe even try your hand at archery. When you are ready, soothe your tired body by checking out the hot tub and hammam.

Special thanks to Bab Al Shams for hosting me during my stay. As always, opinions expressed here are entirely my own.