Since Dubai became a focus of my interest, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa also came to Dubai. This beautiful desert lodge is sure to offer the most magical experience in the Dubai desert. After a long-haul flight from Australia and a trip to Ethiopia, we checked into Al Maha for a wonderful Emirati experience in the desert. Here’s how we spent two ultra-luxurious days at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.
The Al Maha Suite
After a 15-hour overnight flight from Melbourne, our beautiful tented suite in the hazy dunes of Dubai’s desert has never looked more inviting. This wasn’t my first visit to Dubai, but since it was Andre’s visit, I wanted to make a good impression as Dubai is one of the most accessible stopover cities in the world.
Each suite at Al Maha is lavishly decorated with rich mahogany, Arabian textiles, and artefacts that evoke a desert atmosphere. Emirati culture is at the forefront of everything Al Maha offers to its guests, from welcome dates to in-suite tea and nuts (more on that later).
There are 42 suites in total, each with spectacular views of the sunrise over the dunes. With greenery and walls of privacy, it often feels like you have the entire desert to yourself. Each suite has its own plunge pool, perfect for cooling off on a hot desert day. In fact, we spent most of the morning and afternoon enjoying the pool and the sounds of the desert, only to find it too hot during the day to even enjoy the pool (this is where air conditioning comes in handy!)
Around Al Maha Lodge
If you check into Al Maha, we recommend staying at least two nights to fully enjoy the property. Once you’re comfortable with the suite’s amenities, be sure to explore the rest of the property and take advantage of everything it has to offer.
There is a beautiful on-site spa with a full treatment menu (additional charge), as well as complimentary use of the sauna, steam, and cold plunge pool. There is a fitness center opposite the sauna, which is fairly basic but has everything you need to work out during your stay.
There is a large swimming pool just outside the spa, but there are very few people, probably because each suite has its own private pool. As you walk through the grounds, you may encounter a variety of wildlife, including the iconic oryx, which roams freely in the desert and is often seen near the grounds.
Activities at Al Maha
Al Maha’s room rate includes two activities per day, so take advantage of this offer to get the most out of Emirati. We chose to skip the second activity each day to get the most out of the lodge, opting for a sunset sundowner on the evening of the first day and dune bashing on the second day.
On both occasions, we found oryx wandering leisurely around the reserve. These beautiful creatures are endemic to the Dubai desert, so be sure to have your camera ready and, if possible, time your activity to coincide with sunset to enjoy the gorgeous glow of light.
Eating at Al Maha
As always with hotel stays, I take food reviews pretty seriously (lol!) As a self-confessed foodie, I’ve come to expect great things from a hotel of this caliber, and I was not disappointed.
Al Maha’s breakfast buffet features a variety of continental options, a self-made waffle and pancake station, and delicious Arabic mezze. In addition to the buffet breakfast, you can also order a cooked breakfast from the menu. The first morning I chose the egg white omelette with asparagus and it was so delicious that I re-ordered it the next day. Part of my decision-making process included counteracting the choice of eating too many pain au chocolat pastries at the buffet (sorry).
If you choose full board for your stay, you can also enjoy lunch and dinner on site. If you do not plan to leave the hotel during your stay, we highly recommend choosing the full board option. Lunch was often light, with salads and Arabic mezze platters to choose from, and I ate them until I couldn’t eat anymore.
Dinner was a sumptuous 5-course meal, but since I was starting to feel jet lag, I decided to eat it in my room at no extra charge. This was a great way to unwind each night and enjoy the privacy of a tented suite. It was really nice and it was hard to get out of there!
Book your stay
Dubai is a great stopover city for a few nights to catch up on sleep, enjoy the desert, and if you have more time, combine Al Maha with a stay in the city. We really enjoyed our short stay at Al Maha and think it’s the perfect getaway for couples and families wanting to experience UAE culture, food and desert life.
Room rates start from USD 1,500 per night for 2 people
Book your stay Al Maha.
