asiaSpa India January-February 2018 17D
ubai is my favourite holiday
destination. I find so much
there that relaxes and
rejuvenates me, and it has much to
offer, including fantastic shopping
opportunities. So I find myself heading
there whenever I can.
The last time I was there, I visited
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa,
a 40-minute drive from the city.
The perfect getaway, Bab Al Shams
(literally ‘gateway to the sun’) is built
around an oasis in the desert in the
form of a low-rise Arabian-style fort.
The sight of the spectacular desert
oasis peps you up, and stress becomes
a thing of the past.
When you first see Bab Al Shams
Desert Resort & Spa, the traditional
look of the resort instantly charms you.
Inside, you’ll find that the walls, shaded
walkways and water bodies keep you
cool and add much character to the
place. The rooms and suites – some
with views of the desert, and some
with private terraces or balconies – are
decked with rich fabrics in jewel tones
and intricately woven Arabian rugs.
The hotel’s three swimming
pools are fringed by the dunes and
manicured lawns. Each fans out
from a central infinity pool dotted
with whirlpool baths. The sound of
cascading water intermingling withBAB AL SHAMS DESERT RESORT
& SPA
Al Qudra Road, PO Box 8168
Dubai, UAE[email protected]meydanhotels.com/babalshams+971 4 80 96 100soothing Arabic music made the pool
area irresistible, and I wanted to spend
the entire day just lazing there.
However, Satori Spa was so inviting
that I left the pool area to get some
real pampering there. In the heart
of the resort, the spa – winner of the
World Luxury Spa Award at the World
Luxury Hotel Awards the last two
years – features an al-fresco treatment
cabana, a relaxation area and a yoga
terrace. Inside are four treatment rooms,
an aromatic steam room, sauna and a
tropical rain shower. The menu boasts
a range of skin-softening exfoliation
treatments, nourishing wraps and
luxurious facials alongside Balinese and
Thai massages, as well as body rituals to
ease stress and boost energy. The perfect
setting to forget all the work stress
waiting for you at home!
The cuisine at the resort definitely
needs a special mention. To start with,
there are eight dining options to choose
from. And these cover everything from
traditional Arabian and Indian to Italian
and Continental cuisines. The swim-
up pool bar offers genuinely stunning,
panoramic desert views, as does the Al
Sarab Rooftop Lounge, which, with its
relaxed vibe and the seemingly endless
views, became my preferred spot for pre-
dinner drinks during my stay. The crown
jewel is the fine-dining Arabian delight
Al Hadheerah. The restaurant boasts
food cooked in live cooking stations,
wood-fired ovens and spit roasts, against
the magic of which a live band performs
and a falconry show takes flight,
bringing the exoticism of the Orient to
your dining experience.
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
offers a truly Arabian experience in
modern times.The three swimming pools o er relaxing respite from the desert sun