Hotel of the Day: Qasr Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi

Located deep in the heart of the Rub’ al Khali or ‘Empty Quarter’ desert, the world’s largest continuous sand desert, the 5-star resort-style Qasr Al Sarab enables you to experience and appreciate the true Arabian spirit in style and comfort. Qasr Al Sarab is a luxury hotel that seeks to give you the VIP treatment from check-in to check-out, through its beautiful decor, unique experiences, world-class service and premium dining options. Its interesting fortress-like design and elegant and sophisticated suite-style bedrooms are a luxury escape away from the hustle and bustle of Abu Dhabi.

What you can expect from this hotel is likely not what you could’ve ever imagined from a hotel stay, as the experiences, sustainability and local culture offered by this hotel makes for a unique experience and memorable stay that be a topic of conversation for years afterwards. From infinity pools to desert activities and cultural experiences, Qasr Al Sarab really is a masterpiece of the Empty Quarter desert. 

Room Types

Every aspect of Qasr Al Arab’s rooms and suites is nothing short of luxurious. The accommodation part of the resort is split into different accommodation types. The main building complex contains various rooms and suites, either with balconies, garden views or desert views and access to private terraces. There is a separate collection of villa rooms and suites, which are perfect for those who want to live out their VIP dreams. 

The main rooms and suites are beautifully designed, with modern and sophisticated decor and traditional Emirati elements. Rooms have beautiful views and the standard luxury amenities you’d expect, including TVs, king-sized beds and bathrooms. Suites have separate living areas and can have separate rooms depending on the type you book. You can access your own private villas with private pools and varying numbers of rooms. Perfectly designed and conceptualised to suit every guest, from spacious family rooms and full villas to suites that are perfect for the discerning business or luxury traveller, each room or suite will become your new home-away-from-home. 

Facilities and Amenities

Qasr Al Sarab features numerous luxury amenities that will make you feel at home the second you arrive, and make your stay all the more memorable. The main facilities include pools (either communal or separate depending on the accommodation you have booked); a wellness spa that includes a range of treatments and experiences like yoga, saunas, therapy treatments and massages, a fitness room and meeting and event spaces to cater to your every need. You can find both family-friendly and adult-only facilities here too, which will suit your every need and preference. 

Relax in an exclusive adult-only infinity pool, try your hand at various sports, or plan your dream wedding or corporate event with the confidence that you’re in safe hands throughout every stage. How you choose to spend your time at this hotel is entirely up to you – have dinner on your own private terrace, gaze out over the desert from your private balcony, have a quiet night in channel surfing on your flat screen TV, or make full use of the hotel’s luxury pool and spa. 

Dining

With around ten different dining options, ranging from poolside bars to desert barbecues, this place is a culinary haven and a foodies’ ultimate dream. The main cuisine types offered by these restaurants include authentic Middle-Eastern cuisine, various international cuisines and Mediterranean. You can also experience private dining or in-room service as well as interactive dining and cooking masterclasses. 

One thing is assured when dining at each one of these restaurants – that you’ll experience the most picturesque backdrops and landscapes while you sip and dine on masterfully-crafted dishes. The food served at this hotel through each signature dish is sustainably grown and sourced from the hotel’s own greenhouse, so you can feel good about what you eat and drink. 

Experiences and Activities

The hotel offers a number of exciting excursions and experiences, some of which take place in the desert. These include camel and horse riding, archery, stargazing and 4x4 desert driving, among many others. If you’re a sports fan, enjoy private tennis or racket games, or unlimited access to the onsite gym/fitness centre. If you’re travelling with family or friends, the hotel’s cinema that hosts regular movie nights with all the popcorn you can eat, or a specialist professional photoshoot with the stunning desert backdrop. 

For authentic cultural experiences, the hotel hosts a small animal farm called ‘Ezba’, where you can see and learn more about local desert animals and partake in a number of cultural activities like henna, pottery, crafts and more. Make your hotel experience ten times more memorable by adding in a little taste of the local culture and learning about the desert secrets through guided tours and trips. 

Who is it Best For?

Who is this hotel best for? Well, in short, this hotel is best for anyone who wants to experience it. Whether you’re a solo traveller looking for a thrilling and unforgettable experience, a family or group of friends who want to have fun in the desert, or a couple who are looking for a romantic getaway unlike any other, you’ll be well catered for here. 

The hotel perfectly marries luxury with modern and classic experiences. Immerse yourself fully in desert culture and Emirati traditions, relax and enjoy your stay, or spend some time alone with your significant other. If you want a truly unforgettable wedding experience or want to plan the work party of the century, then this place is certainly a top contender, and has all the relevant facilities to assist you with whatever event you’re planning to host. 

Sustainability

Qasr Al Sarab has taken the initiative to ensure that every stay is as sustainable as possible. The hotel is focussed on sustainable practices right to its core, with an onsite greenhouse and several agricultural practices which are then used across the hotel in various ways – produce grown in the greenhouse is used in dining experiences in the hotel! 

The hotel has and is actively implementing various sustainable practices and systems to ensure that they are meeting the criteria and requirements to earn the status of the world’s greenest desert resort. These practices include an efficient waste management system, zero plastic, water and energy conservation and various solar powered amenities. The hotel’s main goal is sustainable luxury, and it delivers both to help you also play your part in sustainable living. 

Unique Selling Points

Here are some of the main reasons why this hotel differs from all the other resorts in Abu Dhabi, and why you should definitely add this to the top of your travel list immediately, if you haven’t done so already:

Its location: Aside from anything else, the thing that truly makes this hotel stand out is its location. Slap bang in the middle of the world’s largest continuous sand desert, the Rub’ al Khali or ‘Empty Quarter’ desert, you know that this hotel will offer a unique and authentic experience. To access the hotel, you can either rent a car or arrange a transfer from either Dubai Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport. 

Its design: With a design resembling a medieval fortress, Qasr Al Sarab immediately signifies and hints at the luxury within its walls. The resort features a main complex and separate villa-style accommodation, with opportunities to experience the full desert way of life and traditional Bedouin culture. 

Its sustainability: We could talk about Qasr Al Sarab’s sustainability for days, as they truly do go above and beyond for the environment and local ecosystems. The waste management, energy and water conservation, and the agriculture that the hotel implements makes it stand out above its competitors. 

Its experiences: The experiences that this hotel offers are definitely unique – from 4x4 desert drives and camel & horse riding, to archery and stargazing and private desert barbecues, the hotel really lets you celebrate the best of the Arabian desert and make the absolute most of your stay.