Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Though it’s the skyscrapers that get all the attention, there’s more to the Emirate of Dubai than just the downtown towers. Less than an hour outside the city, surrounded by a classic Arabian landscape, is Bab Al Shams, a sprawling, low-slung resort complex, whose weathered sandstone buildings tuck discreetly into the windswept dunes. It’s owned by Jumeirah, the same outfit that’s responsible for the Madinat Jumeirah, the massive, glossy seaside complex in Dubai town proper — but with its humble desert architecture and low-profile construction, Bab Al Shams is a different character entirely.

Fortunately for guests, less glossy doesn’t necessarily mean less plush. The rooms and suites are lavish, to be sure, though remarkably restrained, at least by Dubai’s standards. Views are of the garden courtyard or else out into the desert — the second, naturally, is the more inspiring option, though it comes at a price. Private terraces and patios are universal, and space is plentiful throughout, from the humblest deluxe room on up to the Royal suites.

With just over a hundred rooms, Bab Al Shams is smallish, but not quite intimate — and its family-friendliness, an obvious asset for those with kids, makes it a less ideal choice for honeymooners and the like. Still, it’s a relatively tranquil escape, and if it’s silence you’re after, the surrounding desert has it in spades — this is more or less the direct opposite of the typical Dubai city hotel experience.

Booking Details: Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa requires additional information from guests to ensure the best stay possible. As such, reservations can only be confirmed through our customer service team. Contact us for assistance. Rates begin at 1300 AED per night.