Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide to The Desert

An hour from the terminal, a world from the city

The district

Drive inland and the city stops abruptly. What follows is dune country: low ridges, camel tracks and the reserves that protect them.

Desert stays are typically low-rise, villa-based and quiet, with activity programmes built around dawn and dusk rather than midday.

Two nights is the usual recommendation — one to arrive and one to properly stop.

Where to stay

The DesertLuxury

Suites and signature villas inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve — the quietest luxury address in the emirate.

The DesertResort

A fort-inspired desert resort of courtyards and low buildings, built around Arabian hospitality and desert experiences.

Where the city stops and the reserve begins — how to plan two nights in the dunes.

By The Editorial Team