Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara Reveals Its Seasonal Splendour
As winter casts its gentle spell over the Empty Quarter, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara emerges as one of the Middle East’s most captivating seasonal retreats. Set amid the rolling dunes of the Liwa Desert, where golden sands stretch endlessly beneath crystalline skies, the resort invites travellers to experience the desert at its most poetic — a time when cooler temperatures, tranquil evenings and luminous days create the perfect backdrop for discovery, indulgence and reflection.
A Desert Alive with Heritage and Adventure
Winter breathes new life into the desert, transforming it into a living canvas of culture and adventure. At Qasr Al Sarab, guests are invited to delve into the soul of Emirati heritage through the Ezba Tour, an immersive journey into traditional desert life. Thoughtfully curated and deeply authentic, the experience offers rare insight into Bedouin customs, the rhythms of desert living, and the enduring relationship between people, land and animals — a meaningful encounter for both families and seasoned travellers.
Iconic sunrise and sunset camel rides remain a timeless ritual, allowing guests to witness the desert’s shifting palette as soft hues of amber and rose wash over the dunes. For those seeking a more dynamic connection with the landscape, horse riding across the sands offers a graceful yet exhilarating perspective, while the Dune Master Class invites adventure seekers to master the art of desert driving under expert guidance, navigating the sculpted dunes of Liwa with confidence and thrill.
A true highlight of the winter season is the Falcon and Saluki Show, a captivating celebration of the UAE’s ancient hunting traditions. Live falconry demonstrations, intimate storytelling and close encounters with falcons and Saluki hounds bring Bedouin heritage vividly to life. The cooler winter climate enhances the experience, allowing guests rare access to these iconic desert companions in their most active and engaging state.
As night descends, the Liwa Desert reveals one of its most magical offerings: stargazing. With minimal light pollution, lower humidity and longer nights from now through early April, the desert sky becomes a celestial theatre, ideal for extended viewing sessions beneath a blanket of stars. Daytime pursuits such as padel and tennis provide a contrasting rhythm, blending modern leisure with the timeless desert surroundings.
Restorative Rituals in a Timeless Landscape
Set against the serene stillness of the desert, Anantara Spa offers a sanctuary for renewal throughout the winter months. A curated selection of holistic wellness experiences invites guests to slow down, reconnect and restore balance — whether through solo journeys, shared rituals for couples, or intimate group sessions.
Guided Meditation and Sound Healing harness gentle vibrational frequencies to calm the nervous system and encourage emotional clarity, while Pilates Reformer classes focus on mindful strength, alignment and fluid movement. One of the season’s most distinctive offerings, the Floating Sound Bath Experience, allows guests to drift effortlessly on water as soothing sound waves promote deep relaxation and heightened presence.
The spa’s Traditional Hammam rituals remain a perennial favourite, offering a deeply grounding experience rooted in ancient bathing traditions. Throughout the season, both visiting and resident wellness practitioners curate personalised treatments and bespoke programmes, tailored to individual intentions and wellbeing goals.
Dining Beneath the Desert Sky
Winter evenings at Qasr Al Sarab are designed for unforgettable culinary moments beneath the stars. The reopening of Al Falaj, the resort’s celebrated Levantine restaurant, marks a seasonal highlight, inviting guests to enjoy sharing-style dishes inspired by regional flavours in an atmospheric open-air setting.
For couples seeking an experience beyond the ordinary, Designer Dining offers an exquisitely private affair set deep within the dunes. A candlelit table, a dedicated butler and a personal chef come together to create a bespoke Middle Eastern or international menu — a romantic evening shaped entirely by the desert, the silence and the moment.
Camp Nujum: An Exclusive Winter Escape
Returning exclusively for the winter season, Camp Nujum offers a rare and immersive overnight desert experience for groups and extended families. Inspired by Bedouin heritage, the journey begins with a camel ride at sunset, unfolding into dune adventures, sunset cocktails and a traditional Middle Eastern barbecue served beneath a vast, starlit sky.
Evenings are spent gathered around the bonfire, sharing stories and stargazing in near-total silence before retreating to private Bedouin tents. At dawn, guests awaken to a tranquil desert wellness ritual, followed by a Middle Eastern breakfast and freshly brewed Arabic coffee — a deeply atmospheric farewell to the desert’s quiet majesty.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara transforms winter into a season of rare beauty, where heritage, wellness, adventure and refined luxury converge in one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.
For more information or reservations, visit anantara.com/en/qasr-al-sarab-abu-dhabi or contact Anantara’s Central Reservations Office at +971 (0)2 895 8700.
