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Seeing a different Dubai – Bab al Shams Desert Resort Dubai

Seeing a different Dubai – Bab al Shams Desert Resort Dubai

Dubai, I have found on the whole is a marmite kind of place – you either love it or you hate it! It’s a pretty showy place and every time I have been I have stayed on the palm! So this time we wanted something a little different so we booked ourselves into the Bab al Shams desert resort and spa! Meaning gateway to the sun, we were hoping for something special from our stay at the desert resort – Bab al Shams!

Is Bab Al Shams Desert Resort Dubai the best Dubai desert Resort?

One of the things I like when staying in a luxury hotel is getting a real sense of place. Personal touches and things unique to the place. To be honest, the hotels I’ve stayed in Dubai previously have been lacking in this! There a lot of chains (nothing wrong with that) but on the inside can feel like anywhere else in the world. My favourite hotels always have something unique about them and this was my hope for Bab al Shams and it didn’t disappoint! All the luxury and 5* treatment that you expect f a great middle eastern hotel coupled with a taste of tradition and heritage!

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We flew into Dubai maktoum airport which is much closer to the resort than dxb but offers only regional flights at the minute but was perfect for us! Dubai is a city in a desert and from here it was about a 40-50 minute drive. When we arrived we were greeted with a lovely Arabian welcome and some fresh lemon mint and baby e was given a soft camel which she became very attached to!

Next Read: Dubai Vs Abu Dhabi – a Comparison Guide

The desert resort

 

After a slight confusion over booking details we were shown to our room. The resort is laid out like an Arabian fort. The buildings are low rise and you walk down winding corridors and alleys with quaint ‘historic’ objects littering the walkways! On the way there are many areas to sit and unwind such as reflecting pools and nighttime fire pits!

Water feature

Fire pit

The room was stunning. What I loved is that it had a true sense of place. Something that other Dubai hotels can lack. I was particularly fond of the bathroom.

The bath

Luxurious bathroom

 

The only downside to the traditional layout was that it could be that  a little dark. However, I think the ambience it created more than make up for it!

Sitting area

 

As we arrived late in the evening we went straight out to dinner in one of the five onsite restaurants. Night one we tried masala the Indian offer and were very impressed with the quality. There was a nice mix of traditional and more contemporary dishes and a live band which baby e enjoyed dancing the night away too. Of all the restaurants we tried, this was our favourite.

Next Read: Dubai with a Baby or Toddler

Masala

 

On other nights we tried the Italian, Le Dune and Arabic, Al Forsan, which are nice and have lovely views across the desert especially for sundowners. There is also an Arabic buffet restaurant, Al Hadheerah, that has a live show and has a firework display at weekends. Since wandermust daddy was ill and the baby has an earliesh bedtime I didn’t get to do this but is something I’d love to return and do!

As we went half board we had our breakfast at the buffet restaurant. I am not always a buffet fan but was really impressed with the breakfast, especially the live cooking stations. Due to illness, I mostly experienced the resort on my own, I was concerned about the mix of baby and buffet while solo parenting but the staff were so helpful. I had a great time even if wandermust  daddy was shut away in the hotel room for most of the trip! At least we had a nice bed!

The bed

The whole resort was perfectly set up for families of any size and age. Baby E enjoyed the heated pool and there was plenty of space around the three pool areas.

The pool

Your room rate also includes some desert activities such as camel riding, nature walks, fat bikes and baby E’s favourite falcons! She has now become slightly obsessed with trying to pet birds!

Our fearless traveler

 

I must admit that even I enjoyed the falconry. The blend of afternoon activities I think makes Bab al shams perfect for the young and he young at heart!

Falconry at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

The resort, while well connected by road is set amongst the sand dunes! You could organise trips out through the hotel but we just enjoyed sitting and taking in the scenery! The baby particularly enjoyed the sand between her toes!


Overall experience at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

We had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend anyone who wants to experience a more traditional Dubai scene to try visiting a desert resort. It is one of the most unique places we have ever stayed! If you are wanting more inspiration for unique places to stay check out this post!

If you are looking somewhere in downtown Dubai  to stay with a family check out this post. 

Top tip – the resort is much busier on a Friday than in the week due to a large brunch and pool day passes so try and stay mid week if you can 

Have you ever stayed in a desert resort? I’d love to know what you thought! I’d love to know whether you thought that Bab al Shams Desert Resort Dubai the best desert resort in Dubai?

Tania

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

Now that is ultimate luxury right there. I can see why you loved the bathroom so much - it looks fabulous! #mondayescapes

Wandermust Mummy

Monday 17th of April 2017

It was amazing

Lisa - FlipFlopGlobetrotters.com

Monday 10th of April 2017

We've stayed in one of those characterless hotels when we were in Dubai (the room was more luxurious than we were used to!), but this sounds like so much more fun! What a great place. I'm not sure we could afford it, but I'd love to stay there next time we're in Dubai! #MondayEscapes

Wandermust Mummy

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

It is a lovely place to stay but is quite expensive

Jane @ Raincity Librarian

Monday 10th of April 2017

How beautiful!! I have never been to Dubai, or really any desert setting, but I am smitten with that resort! It's luxurious without being gaudy, which is something I really appreciate.

Wandermust Mummy

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

Well put

Tanja (the Red phone box travels)

Monday 10th of April 2017

looks great! lucky baby:) #mondayescapes

Wandermust Mummy

Monday 10th of April 2017

Thank you

Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe

Monday 10th of April 2017

Looks amazing, I've never stayed in a desert resort

Wandermust Mummy

Monday 10th of April 2017

It really was