UAE Luxury at Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

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Overview

If you’re visiting Abu Dhabi (read my review on Abu Dhabi’s highlights here) then a staycation at Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa is a must. It’s an authentic Arabic experience that oozes luxury. Likewise, if you live in the Middle East, it’s one of the most easily accessible desert resorts. A mere 45 minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, or 60 minutes from the Corniche region of Abu Dhabi, lies this true paradise on earth.

Fun Fact!
This year, 2021, marked the 50th anniversary of the 6 individual Arab emirates uniting to form the UAE, announcing their independence from Britain. (Ras Al Khaimah joined the following year as the 7th emirate). To mark this auspicious occasion, there was a long weekend in Abu Dhabi and I needed no further encouragement to pack my bags and head to the wild yet peaceful Arabian desert! I’d encourage all first time visitors to the Gulf to do the same.

Enjoying the architecture of the Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa hotel rooms

Enter into a far away world…

There’s something definitively intimate about this resort. It doesn’t feel overbearingly crowded or too large. With a modern spa designed as its hallmark feature, I actually found the greatest peace and tranquility reading a book and soaking in the sun by the sprawling uber-chic pool. Complete with an open swim up bar and palm trees built into the centre of the pool, with first-come first-served private cabanas and sunbeds surrounding it, it’s the pinnacle of opulence.

The Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa pool and resort rooms at dusk

Al Wathba Resort’s website fittingly notes that ‘guests can rebalance their equilibrium and embark on an individual wellness journey’. I hand-on-heart agree! With 103 guest rooms and villas which each feature traditional artwork, Arabesque accessories, large comfortable king beds, spa baths and stone showers, there’ll be no end to your relaxation at one of my favourite UAE resorts.

Location

Al Wathba Luxury Desert Resort & Spa (with its gorgeous private hotel pool!) is located in the Al Wathba Desert, a short drive from Abu Dhabi City (45 minutes from the airport and 60 minutes from the Corniche) in the UAE.

How to get there

Access is easiest via private car, vehicle hire or taxi. At the time of writing, a taxi fare from Abu Dhabi Airport to the resort was approximately 115 AED, local currency (approximately 27 Euro or 31 USD). There are multiple car hire options from the airport also. Note that on the return trip, hotel concierge will need one hour warning to arrange your taxi back.

Pro Travel Tip!
Savvy travelers can make the most of a one night stay at Al Wathba Resort by arriving late morning and departing late evening the next day! The resort is only too accommodating in ensuring your luggage is stored safely so you can maximise the use of their wonderful facilities.

The grand fortress-style entrance to Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

Arrival

The impressive entrance to the hotel is via a fortress tower, with its inner courtyard decorated with palm trees dressed in fairylights. The arrival process is straightforward and informative, with staff quick to relieve you of heavy luggage and ensure your transition to resort relaxation is a swift one. Moreover, I had arrived well ahead of schedule at midday (I didn’t want to miss a minute!) and the staff were able to arrange an early check at 1pm, ahead of the official check in time of 3pm. The lobby and its stunning water feature is yet another example of the exquisite detail this resort has invested into its aesthetics. In the meantime, I whisked myself straight to the pool for a dip and an early lunch at Panache Poolside Cafe!

Looking through to the inner courtyard of Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

Sadly the hotel was at capacity on check out, so my check out remained at 12 noon, however the resort kindly stored my luggage to allow me to enjoy the facilities well into the afternoon.

Traditional Arabic decor and a peaceful place to rest, near the foyer to Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

Map of Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

Accommodation

Rooms at Al Wathba Resort are NEXT LEVEL AMAZING. With their standard room being the Superior King Room at 45m² and with a private balcony, you can only begin to imagine how pampered you will feel here.

The incredible and huge rooms at Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

After letting out a wee yip of excitement on walking into the huge room, I soon began planning just how I was going to spend my time over the 36 hours. Obviously this needed to include some relaxation on the balcony, a long hot shower in the huge stone alcove, a bubble bath and some time at the vanity mirror and desk getting ready for rooftop drinks at sunset followed by dinner! Shortly after arriving, a bowl of fresh fruit was delivered to my door: just another tick on their list of thoughtful inclusions.

Arabesque luxury in the bedazzling stonework bathroom

Visitors will truly enjoy these large rooms decorated in traditional Arabesque artwork and ceramics, whilst retaining all the modcons of contemporary hotel life: large screen TVs, nespresso machines, boutique skin products and plush white dressing gowns with fluffy slippers. Al Wathba Resort rooms are all part of the hotel designed to replicate a fortress-style construct.

Bathroom amenities within the resort rooms

Fun Fact!
Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa was initially built as a royal palace! It was later converted into a hotel.

On the private balcony in my hotel room at Al Wathba Desert Resort

Facilities

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa offers indulgent facilities in the form of a sprawling swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play area and their piece de resistance: the Saray Spa.

Resort Pool

Much of my time at the resort was spent poolside with my eyes closed, basking in the sunshine. There’s nothing much more soul soothing than feeling those rays of warmth touch your body and then having the option to cool off in a perfect temperature pool. When the rays are too harsh, the cabana curtains or umbrella shades are your best friend. Don’t forget to pack your favourite book and Frankie Say Relax tshirt.

Enjoying the views from my private poolside cabana

When it passes wine’o’clock, then it’s officially time to sashay through the water and find the swim-up-bar. (I won’t judge if you find yourself before said time). Here you’ll find Heineken on tap, Coronas with lime, a great wine list, bespoke cocktails and my summer favourite: Sangria!

Sunset is another gorgeous time to be in the water: the pinks and oranges of an Arabian sunset are always magical, especially when it’s your first time.

Private cabanas at the beautiful Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa pool

Saray Spa

Sadly I did not have time to experience this highly acclaimed spa, however it offers indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, 11 treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, salt rooms, snow caves, an ice cold bucket room, a traditional Turkish hammam and a whirlpool. Guests should check ahead which of these are available during the current Covid pandemic.

Gym

The fitness centre is open 24 hours 7 days a week, with free weights and a complete circuit training system.

Restaurants

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa has 4 specialty restaurants and a poolside cafe.

1. Bait Al Hanine (Arabic)

This centrally-located restaurant has a large outdoor seating capacity and is the location for the hotel’s incredible breakfast spread, as well as evening buffets. Breakfast is a vast selection of pastries, fruits, potted yoghurts and Bircher muesli, exotic cheeses, Arabic mezze, labneh, an egg menu, a live cooking station for pancakes and waffles, a juice station, coffee how you like it and more! During the evening when the lights are dim, tables are lit by romantic Arabic lanterns, serving a wide variety of local food options.

The dusk setting at Bait Al Hanine Restaurant, Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

2. Al Mesayan (Moroccan)

Al Mesayan is the Middle Eastern themed rooftop restaurant, serving traditional hearty Moroccan meals. It’s a great place to come for some pre-dinner cocktails, to admire the vibrant pink and orange hues at sunset. You’ll also see the worker’s trucks heading in for the day, their silhouettes outlined by the setting sun. There’s something that’s not quite as harsh about the Arabic sun and you’ll be able to follow its downward trajectory without being blinded. I came to Al Mesayan for the sunset, chose my favourite seat to reserve for dinner and then went back to my beloved room to get ready!

Arabian sunset from Al Mesayan Rooftop Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

The food and service here was exquisite. I chose traditional options: the signature and beyond-comprehension-succulent Tangia Marrakchia (slow-cooked veal shank with preserved lemon, cumin and saffron) and a side of creamed cabbage tagine. Paired with a glass of Grenache by Michel Chapoutier Bila-Haut, Roussillon, my night was almost complete. (Yes, it was finished with a spa bath in the hotel room).

Traditional Moroccan food served at Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

3. Terra Secca (Italian)

The delightful ground floor European food offering was only open for lunch during my stay but it offers a lovely outdoor terrace seating with Arabian horses roaming around.

Outdoor terrace seating at Terra Secca Italian Restaurant

4. Al Mabeet (Emirati)

Sadly the traditional Emirati restaurant is currently closed.

5. Panache (Pool Cafe)

The uber-stylish Panache serves up delicious sandwiches, salads and snacks that will curb that little nagging sensation around lunchtime or in the afternoon after a long day pool-side.

The serene setting of Panache Pool Cafe, with a sunken seating area

Experiences

First-timers in the desert: listen up! Don’t miss out on your chance to experience some truly authentic desert activities at this resort! The same incredible team who brought you the next-level desert experiences at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, are also on board to bring you similar desert experiences closer to Abu Dhabi!

These include:

Desert activities at Al Wathba Resort & Spa

Al Wathba Surrounds

If you have a private vehicle then be sure to check out some of the incredible geology surrounding Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa, such as the uber instagrammable salt lakes and fossil dunes and the fun fair-like Sheikh Zayed Heritage Village! Below are approximate distances from the resort.

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (31 km)

Emirates International Endurance Village (6 km)

Al Wathba Camel Racing Track (15 km)

Sheikh Zayed Heritage Village (14 km)

Al Wathba Fossil Dunes (25 km)

Al Wathba Salt Lakes (22 km)