Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Dubai

Bab Al Shams means Gateway to the Sun, and it lives up to its name. Set among desert palms and golden dunes, about 26 miles from the city centre, it feels a world away from Dubai's skyscrapers. This is the place to swap traffic for silence, with sunsets over the sand and nights beneath a sky full of stars. A car or taxi is the easiest way to reach the Al Qudra desert.

Modern design meets Arabian flair, with Moorish-inspired rooms and palm-shaded courtyards. But the real magic lies beyond the walls, and few resorts bring the desert to life quite like this one. Start with complimentary camel rides and a falcon show, then go further: take 4x4 drives to spot Arabian oryx, sandboard down the dunes, stargaze in a desert majlis, or float over the sands at sunrise in a hot-air balloon.

Rooms are beautifully crafted, with cosy window-side nooks, spacious bathrooms and a refreshment station, while the suites add lounge areas and serene outdoor spaces. The showstoppers are the one- and two-bedroom Desert Pool Villas, each with a private pool, a kitchenette, and a terrace overlooking the dunes. Family rooms, two-bedroom family suites and a kids' club make it easy to travel together.

Dinner at Al Hadheerah is a spectacle in itself, an open-air feast of Middle Eastern cuisine with live performances. Up on the roof, Anwā pairs crafted cocktails and Pan-Asian dishes with glowing desert sunsets. Meanwhile, Zala serves Mediterranean flavours from breakfast to dinner, and Ninive Bab Al Shams adds a sophisticated Oriental touch.

The spa draws on ancient healing traditions, offering restorative hammam journeys with mineral-rich ingredients from Maison d'Asa, plus facial and body treatments featuring sustainably sourced natural products. Between treatments, the spa's private outdoor pool offers a serene swim with views across the golden desert.