Nestled into the sand dunes and about a 40-minute drive from Dubai, Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa is a desert oasis in the truest sense. From the moment we arrived, we felt totally at ease thanks to the safety measures and social distancing precautions in place.
With temperatures taken and hand sanitizer offered at the door followed by a swift check-in, we were escorted to our room which epitomised five-star luxury but in a very low-key way that felt a million miles away from the usual high-octane glitz and glamour of Dubai.
BAB AL SHAMS ENTRANCE
Each guest room at Bab Al Shams now features a sanitation seal at the door, which can only be broken by the guest, and although concierge dropped our bags to the doorstep, resort staff refrained from entering our room for the duration of our stay to maximise cleanliness and sanitation. Turn down service and housekeeping is upon request.
SUPERIOR ROOM
The room itself epitomised all that five-star luxury has to offer (a comfy king-size bed, a pillow menu and a fully stocked minibar to name but a few features) but had a distinct Middle Eastern feel (think draped tapestries, Bedouin rugs and a majilis seating area) and as we were on the ground floor, our accommodation also opened up onto a private outdoor terrace.
But we weren’t there to simply lounge in our temporary Arabian abode for the day and after check-in immediately made our way to the temperature controlled pools to enjoy the resort’s Private Cabana Experience.
INFINITY POOL
For Dhs600, two in-house guests can avail of a private cabana, two dining menu items, four house beverages and free-flowing soft beverages throughout the day (walk-in guests can avail of the same offer for Dhs1,000) and it was undoubtedly the best way to relax into our surrounds and switch off.
If perching poolside for hours on end isn’t your thing, the resort also offers several activities including desert tennis, a desert drive, nature walks, bike riding and horse riding excursions. Plus guests can avail of a complimentary camel ride at 5pm every day followed by a falconry display.
LEISURE CAMEL RIDING
The uninterrupted views for miles around are particularly stunning at sunset and after a blissed out day by the pool, we toasted our idyllic surrounds in the resort’s rooftop lounge, Al Sarab, before turning in for the evening.
The next morning we were treated to a hearty breakfast in Al Forsan restaurant where egg dishes and crepes were made to order, and each food station was safely protected by a Perspex screen, with staff on hand to serve each guest.
BREATHTAKING ARCHITECTURE IS PART OF BAB AL SHAMS’ CHARM
After reluctantly peeling myself away from the buffet, a final dip provided the perfect end to a tranquil 24 hours before we sadly bid farewell to Bab Al Shams and headed back to the city, relaxed, refreshed and plotting my return.
Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa is currently running a Desert Resort’s Magic Eleven Escape. Available for Dhs1,111, this all-inclusive weekday staycation package (Dhs1,444 at weekends) includes overnight accommodation in a Superior Room, breakfast in Al Forsan, lunch or dinner in Al Forsan, free-flowing house beverages in Al Sarab Lounge from 4-6pm and one complimentary desert activity of your choice. For reservations BOOK HERE or CALL NOW
Photos: Supplied
