Are you aware that Valentine´s Day is around the corner? We are sharing with you the best romantic desert getaways to make sure you and your partner enjoy the Love… and the Landscape, and the Food, and the Spas, and the activities. All without leaving the UAE.
We might live in a sandy pit but the beauty the desert holds is very magical. You just have to be open to feel the peace and the immensity that is around. Sunsets and sunrises here are probably the most romantic in the world. If you have a special someone, don’t hesitate it. Try one of our suggestions.
BAB AL SHAMS
This hotel is less than 1 hour away from Dubai. The architecture of the hotel is simply astonishing. They have a beautiful swimming pool area and restaurants to choose from. Our recommendation: Al Hadeerah. It only opens at night. It looks like an old souk with stalls of food and of other Arabic things. The decoration is very nice, the food is delicious (traditional Arabic but also some international dishes), the atmosphere is very lively. Why? Because it has a show that will keep you entertained with belly dancer, the story of the UAE and tanoura to name a few.
On top of that, some nights it has fireworks. Watching the fireworks from the desert is really beautiful as the horizon is so near. Attached to the restaurant there is a cultural village and you can take pictures with the falcons, the camels, and the horses.
By the way, the camels are called Lulu and Ferrari. Yallah! Now you can say that you rode a Ferrari!
In case you are a total romantic and want something more private, they organize Romantic Dinner Tents. With this option, you will enjoy 4-course dinner served by a private butler, a violinist will make sure the amazing views of the sunset have a soundtrack, and a photographer will take pictures of you and your better half. The cost depends on the alcohol option and some very special extras like a telescope to overlook the stars but it ranges from 5.000 to 7.500 Dhs.
If you want to stay, they also have special packages for this occasion. For example, the Romantic Getaway that will add to the room a 50-minute massage at the spa, a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates on arrival. (from 2.050 Dhs per room per night per couple. Extra taxes and fees might apply).
QASR AL SARAB
This hotel will take your breath away even before you reach. And this is quite literally so, because once you enter the resort gate you have a section of the road that meanders through huge mountains of reddish sand. Along that stretch you have more than enough of opportunities to take pictures. Mind you! You still didn’t reach the hotel yet!
The hotel looks like a fortress in the middle of the desert with a crenelated wall and all. Close to it though, you can visit the lush Liwa Oasis with plenty of palm trees but the hotel side is just sand. This hotel is part of Anantara Luxury Resorts. The quality of these hotel chain is remarkable. The standard rooms are fantastic but if you want to go over the top they have also some villas with private swimming pool.
They have quite an offer of restaurants. We recommend for you and your Valentine to go to Suhail. They have a special 5-course menu. The price will depend on your drink selection but it ranges from 550 Dhs to 950 Dhs per person. Some taxes and extra fees might be added.
For this Valentine celebration, they have a package where they organize a special dinner in the sand dunes for the two of you. This is a truly amazing experience with the sun coming down and changing the colours of this beautiful desert. The prices go from 1.310 Dhs to 1.700 Dhs per couple. This option is in super high demand so make sure you book in advance. The hotel is not that close to Dubai (around 3 hours away) and we don’t want any disappointment in such a great day. Make sure you grab some blanket; the weather is still cold and in the desert, you will feel the chill even more.
This hotel has a particular activity that we found very interesting and a little unusual. In most of the desert hotels you will find falcons, quads, fat bikes. Here they have also salukis. Saluki is a dog breed that is totally adapted to the desert. They look like greyhounds and they can run really fast – even on the sand.
Hoping you enjoy your Valentine to the max!
