Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

Driving down the entrance road feels like an other-worldly experience. Qasr Al Sarab is a hotel like no other. One of the best hotels I have had the pleasure of staying at. Thanks to Farhan Mohamed for making our stay so special. I cannot recommend enough. Stunning.

I stumbled across Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by accident, thought it looked interesting, decided I must go and experience... and went. Driving through the gates, after a just over two hour drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport - via the Resort's transportation services - to Qasr Al Sarab in the Empty Quarter of the desert was as breathtaking as it gets. Surrounded by rolling dunes and vegetation. Heat. Blue skies. The depth of the beauty was jaw dropping. The welcome by members of management and Arun - who turned out to be my personal Concierge - was the most impressive and genuine welcome I have ever received at a hotel, lodge or resort. I was made to feel like 'family'. Friendliness and helpfulness abounded. A good omen I thought. Then, to my absolute surprise, I had been upgraded to a one bedroom Villa. My head spun with curiosity and excitement. The Villa was something to behold. Luxurious. Clean and tidy. Well designed. Beautiful furniture, linen, and bathroom provisions. Well serviced and promptly. A lovely cooling off pool outside with pool-side loungers, table and chairs and a canopy cabin. The view over the desert was extremely moving as the sun came up and and as it returned to set. I cannot fault the Villa in any way. The Infinity Pool, and the team there ensured it remained an adults only place of relaxation, fed my soul with peacefulness and calm. The view of the desert dunes from the pool and loungers resembles a movie set, a reclusive hideaway, uninterrupted by the realities of life I was taking a break from. This was a visit of replenishment and re-charging. The team at Qasr Al Sarab - from Arun to buggy drivers, from waiters to restaurant managers, from tour guides to senior management - was superb. I wanted for nothing. Their commitment to make my stay exceptional was in itself exceptional. Their goal was to make me comfortable, happy, well fed, well rested and enamored by my surrounds. They succeeded 200%. The restaurants offered a variety of menus. Suhail was the restaurant where I had the most amazing dinner. The food was of immaculate fine dining standard. A little pricey for the travelling South African, but worth every morsel of fillet, creamed spinach and pomme puree accompaniments whilst serving one of the best Mango Gilato deserts I have ever tasted. Ghadeer offered a punchy Gazpacho cold soup and a divine Salmon Cerviche. Wherever you wander around this most unique resort you are able to capture the innate beauty of being in the desert. Every dune reflecting a different emotion and colour as the day progresses. From a photographic point of view it is unparalleled. There are many tours to satisfy everyone's whim or fancy: dune walking, camel riding, dune bashing, cultural visits, dining in the desert - there is nothing that Qasr Al Sarab will not do to make your stay as memorable as possible - and that is where their heart is: ensuring your stay meets your expectations and that you leave fulfilled. Faultless service and attention to detail. I had read some reviews of Qasr Al Sarab on Trip Advisor before leaving the concrete jungle of Johannesburg, but I never expected to be so blown away by my surrounds and the people as I was during my stay. Well done Qasr Al Sarab all of you were exceptional. I so hope I make it back to you soon.

Our recent staycation at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in August 2025 was even better than our last stay there in August 2016, as the team made us feel at home with their excellent hospitality and warmth. Very friendly and accommodating, they made sure our kids had all their needs fulfilled while making sure we get to enjoy ourselves as well. Special thanks to Ms. Lochana, Ms. Rashmi, Mr. Farhan and Mr. Shalika for making all the arrangements to make our stay super comfortable and enjoyable! We will surely be back once again for a dreamy staycation among the dunes…

We’ve been to this hotel several times. It is luxurious but more importantly unique. The desert is beautiful and the hotel’s design really makes it feel like being in an oasis in Arabia, an Emirate El Dorado. Or Arrakis if you are a Dune fan as it is filmed here. Even though we no longer live in the UAE, we make the 24+ hour trip to return. You must go here at least once in a lifetime.

1- Room cleanness needs to be improved. There were pigeon feathers at the bedside and after the bath tub was filled with water, a lot of foam and human hair could be seen, obviously not cleaned. 2- When I checked in, the hotel staff mixed my name and another guest which registered my room under her name and her room under my name. So unfortunately every staff was calling me her name when they are talking to me. Even after I checked out , one employee from the hotel called me for providing her passport information just when I arrived at Abu Dhabi after a 3 hours drive. What annoyed me the most was that I already explained this to the reception desk when i checked out, and I explained it again and again to the hotel employee, he still insisted on making me providing the information to finish his work. 就这个价钱来说，可能是期待值拉太高，酒店外观看起来比想象的差太多了。游泳池倒是还不错，早餐也很好吃，但基本所有可选的娱乐项目都是要收费的。但房间没打扫干净真是大雷，有鸽子毛，浴缸里很多泡沫和毛发。