Set on the verdant island haven of Sir Bani Yas, just off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Capital of the United Arab Emirates, The Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa offers intrepid travellers an unforgettable island escape in the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Sir Bani Yas Island is a showcase for nature-based tourism and animal welfare in Arabia. A wildlife reserve, the Island is home to thousands of animals and birds, many of them endangered.
As the star of the newly opened and much hyped Sir Bani Yas island, a former private retreat for the UAE’s founder Sheik Zayed, Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara has a lot to live up to. The island is natural, not one of the man made ones they’re so fond of in the UAE. Billed as an eco-destination, it offers diving, game drives through an Arabian wildlife park and other outdoorsy activities. and not least a fantastic Spa.
The resort, just two hours from Abu Dhabi and three from Dubai, is full-on luxe.
With 64 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites, spacious one-bedroom villas and truly luxurious two-bedroom Royal Villas, Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa invites you to live out your own Arabian nights in a destination that is anything but ordinary.
The Island provides ample opportunities to explore the natural rugged beauty and is a haven for adventure seekers.
Explore the walking trails of the island’s thriving wildlife reserve. In addition, the Island has a lot of nature driven activities, including game drives, kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, hiking, archery and guided game walks.
Click here for an overview of Island excursions and resort facilities.
When it comes to the Spa at The Anantara Desert Island Resort & Spa, this offering is very much in line with the Anantara Spa philosophy which includes pure and natural elements that have been chosen for their curative benefits and energetic powers. Their usage of exquisite new fragrances in oils and elixirs will sate all the guest’s five senses and ancient healing and modern therapies work in harmony to renew, restore and revive the guests.
Encounter rituals and healing ways based on the therapeutic energies of semi-precious stones
. Amber is renowned for its energising qualities; Emerald is the colour of love and perfect for couples to experience together. Aqua Marine helps reduce stress and brings about a deeper level of relaxation.
Special facials for men and in-your-own-room treatments and massages are just a few of their specialities which also includes Body Treatments and “Spa Journeys” – click here for an overview of Massages and here for their Body Treatments.
The Resorts also offers a range of Special Packages – check them out.
On what guests have to say, well the reviews are very mixed but mostly positive. A couple from Athens, Greece were overall not too impressed with the resort and its staff but found that the Spa experience made up for most of the bad experiences :
All this being said – the spa was absolutely amazing. The setting is beautiful, the staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and the thai massages that both my husband and I had were incredible. The attention to detail (down to the rose petals in the bowl of water underneath the massage table so that when you are face down you are looking at that pretty sight and not the floor) was impressive, and they even have the capability to have treatments outside with a view of the beach and water while still having privacy (our treatments were at night and it was windy so we were inside but could hear the waves which added a lot to the experience).
More mixed guest reviews here.
Make a virtual visit to the Island by browsing through their gallery here or better still view a video from the resort :
Contact details for Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa:
Sir Bani Yas Island, Al Ruwais
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971(0)28015400
Fax: +971(2)28015404