This desert delight just an hour's drive from Dubai International Airport is a truly luxurious hideaway
Words: Jonathan Whiley
From exhilarating desert drives to theatrical fire shows and blink-and-youâll-miss-it falconry displays, Bab Al Shams can get the heart racing. At the same time, this super-chic hideaway in the desert, an hourâs drive from Dubai International Airport, has the enviable ability to slow the pace, too.
Three sprawling swimming pools, a sleek wellness centre with a hammam and the chance to enjoy yoga under the stars all help. Just ask our April cover star, David Gandy â the supermodel looked positively zen for his Hackett photoshoot, which took place at the resort and the nearby Al Qudra desert.
Arabic for âgateway to the sunâ, Bab Al Shamsâ architecture and design are inspired by the golden dunes of the desert that surrounds it. It is a modern retreat with a distinctly Moorish accent.
Established in 2004, it was taken over by Kerzner (the operator behind Atlantis, The Palm) and reopened in 2023 after an extensive renovation. Now the first property in the companyâs Rare Finds collection, it lives up to its billing of providing a sense of place alongside soulful experiences.
There are 115 rooms and suites in 16 two-storey buildings that essentially resemble a traditional Arabian fort. It could be kitsch â the fire pits sometimes have a whiff of Love Island about them â but mercifully it doesnât cross that line.
A sense of space ensures what seems like endless choice. There are five excellent restaurants and three bars spanning pan-Asian to Mediterranean influences. An unmissable highlight is the extraordinary Al Hadheerah, a sprawling alfresco restaurant that serves fantastic, traditional Arabian fare alongside a multi-sensory theatrical extravaganza involving musicians, fire breathers and camel riders re-enacting historical tales.
Experiences are a big part of the draw here, and range from hot air balloon rides to camel trekking, falconry, Arabian horse-riding and fat biking. Our highlight is a thrilling 4×4 drive across the Al Marmoom desert conservation reserve, with only Arabian oryx for company. Our driver, clearly accustomed to Instagram influencers in the wild, encourages us to pose for a photo amid the dunes. In the distance I think I spot David Gandy shaking his head.
