Al Maha Desert Resort is an idyllic, exclusive
oasis, set within a 25-square kilometre desert conservation
reserve - a place where a commitment to service and total guest
satisfaction is underlined by a ratio of three staff to every
one of the sumptuous guest suites - ensuring attentive and personalised
service 24-hours a day.
Built in the style of a traditional Bedouin encampment the
main building is testimony to a way of life which has not changed
in thousands of years. Here, guest areas are adorned with traditional
artifacts and precious antiquities.
Framed by the Hajar Mountains in the distance - this is a place
of unique contrasts. Luxurious individual suites with private
pools, fine dining, exquisite wines, panoramic skyscapes and
indigenous flora and fauna are all set within wide open plains,
the effect of which is one of transformation - allowing guests
to unwind, relax and experience total peace and balance.
Guests at Al Maha can take part in a number of on-site activities
including falconry, horse and camel safaris, archery and guided
nature walks. More adventurous travellers can also take part
in a range off-site activities ranging from historical and architectural
tours in and around the Hajar Mountains to sand-skiing and 4x4
dune driving . More Information |
| Al
Maha Desert Resort |
|
The Main Building |
Main Pool |
The Bar Deck |
The Dining Room Terrace |
The Main Lobby |
| Main Building |
Everything about Al Maha is designed to
provide guests with a unique experience. Driven
through the dunes to the resort, guests are
welcomed into a central building constructed
in traditional Arabian style.
The lobby, with its cool stone floor and natural
light is at the centre of the main building,
adjacent to which is The Gallery shop selling
unusual art, antiques and resort-branded goods.
The Library can be a quiet place of reflection
and solitude and where guests can enjoy the
numerous original artworks or perhaps play a
game of chess. It can also be used as a unique
conference facility seating up to 20 people
and utilising the latest in audio-visual equipment.
The Men's and Ladies' Majlis are places for
conversation surrounded by antiquity - The Lounge
and its veranda are places for meeting, reading
or simply watching the indigenous animals at
the nearby waterhole.
Beyond this, the traditionally styled courtyard
affords comfortable seating on wooden terraces
and uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains,
set to the murmur of a gently sparkling foliage.
From the courtyard, guests can access The Dining
Room - where large doors open onto the veranda
and inside, the atmosphere is one of informal
elegance. The Bar is also to be found off the
courtyard - here, guests relax in beautiful
seating surrounded by fine arts and antiquities.
Outside, the rich earth colours of the walls
and buildings contrast magnificently with the
crystal waters of the main swimming pool.
|
Bedouin Suite Exterior |
| Suites |
Carefully designed to harmonise with the spectacular
surroundings - the suites draw inspiration from
traditional architecture. Privacy is paramount
- each of the suites stands in its own space
with a large veranda and private chilled pool.
All suites have a large walk-in shower and king-sized
bath as well as a "his and hers" vanity
area, dressing area, minibar and tea and coffee
making facilities.
At 375 square metres, the Owner's Suite is
the definitive in spacious luxury. With two
large bedrooms, (one twin and one double) dining
and living areas and residential quarters for
guests' private staff - it offers an opulent
style in which to experience the ultimate stay
at Al Maha.
There are two Royal Suites - comprising two
bedrooms (one twin and one double) each featuring
a walk-in shower, king-sized bath, a "his
and hers" vanity area, dressing area, minibar,
tea and coffee making facilities and a comfortable
lounge area, totalling a generous 175 square
metres.
At 75 square metres, the 27 Bedouin Suites are
generously proportioned and are sumptuously
furnished with hand-crafted care and meticulous
attention to detail. Each features a walk-in
shower, king-sized bath, a "his and hers"
vanity area, dressing area, minibar and tea
and coffee making facilities.
Light is abundant in all suites - floor to ceiling
windows afford unhindered views across an incomparable
terrain. Traditional textiles and locally-sourced
artifacts adorn the suites (many of which are
for sale). In the private pools guests overlook
a scene which astounds the senses and fires
the imagination. |
Royal Suite |
Royal Suite |
Bedouin Suite |
Dining Room |
| Fine Dining |
Dining at Al Maha is about options
in an atmosphere of relaxed informality.
Styles range from Mediterranean to Arabic,
in settings which can be intimate or
informal.
All meals are inclusive and guests
can enjoy a sundowner on the terrace
or a relaxing drink in The Bar. Whether
the guest chooses to dine on their veranda,
in The Dining Room or whilst enjoying
the magnificent conservation reserve
during a picnic on safari or a barbecue
in the desert, everyone is assured an
experience to remember.
Al Maha is a genuinely fine dining
experience - international chefs and
talented staff ensure that guests enjoy
the very highest culinary standards.
In the elegant dining room for instance,
guests enjoy fabulous views and five-star
cuisine in a beautifully refined and
tastefully appointed environment, and,
dining alfresco - while overlooking
the infinite dunes is an experience
not to be missed.
Arabic cuisine has been influenced
by other cuisines from the Philippines
and the Indian subcontinent to Sri Lanka
and today, they are all part of the
unique blend of cuisine at Al Maha. |
Falconry |
| Activites |
Carefully designed to harmonise with
the spectacular surroundings - the suites
draw inspiration from traditional architecture.
Privacy is paramount - each of the suites
stands in its own space with a large
veranda and private chilled pool. All
suites have a large walk-in shower and
king-sized bath as well as a "his
and hers" vanity area, dressing
area, minibar and tea and coffee making
facilities.
At 375 square metres, the Owner's Suite
is the definitive in spacious luxury.
With two large bedrooms, (one twin and
one double) dining and living areas
and residential quarters for guests'
private staff - it offers an opulent
style in which to experience the ultimate
stay at Al Maha.
There are two Royal Suites - comprising
two bedrooms (one twin and one double)
each featuring a walk-in shower, king-sized
bath, a "his and hers" vanity
area, dressing area, minibar, tea and
coffee making facilities and a comfortable
lounge area, totalling a generous 175
square metres.
At 75 square metres, the 27 Bedouin
Suites are generously proportioned and
are sumptuously furnished with hand-crafted
care and meticulous attention to detail.
Each features a walk-in shower, king-sized
bath, a "his and hers" vanity
area, dressing area, minibar and tea
and coffee making facilities.
Light is abundant in all suites - floor
to ceiling windows afford unhindered
views across an incomparable terrain.
Traditional textiles and locally-sourced
artifacts adorn the suites (many of
which are for sale). In the private
pools guests overlook a scene which
astounds the senses and fires the imagination.
| Falconry
|
The art of falconry dates
back to the 13th century BC.
At Al Maha, guests can take
the opportunity to view a number
of different species of falcons.
These can be viewed, as they
are left to "weather"
in the shaded area of the courtyard
and they can also be handled
under the supervision of one
of the Field Guides. "Fly
to the lure" demonstrations
take place during the cooler
parts of the day. |
| Horse
and Camel Safaris |
Both the Arabian horse and
the camel have, since time immemorial,
been used for many purposes,
serving as a means to cross
the deserts, fight wars and
provide the Bedu with meat and
milk.
At the resort, guided horse
and camel rides are conducted
through the reserve, giving
guests the opportunity of linking
with the natural splendour of
the Arabian desert. |
| Archery
|
| The traditional recurved bow,
which finds its origin in the
east, can be experienced, under
supervision, at Al Maha. A designated
area is utilised, where the archer
can test his skills with this
traditional weaponry. |
| Guided
Nature Walks |
| Guests have the opportunity
here of experiencing the desert
environment in its entirety on
guided nature walks. Binoculars
will prove useful for the purpose
of bird and animal viewing and
are readily available upon request
from your Field Guide. |
| Off-Site
Activities |
Guests can also choose from
a number of off-site activities
which will be arranged by our
Guest Relations Co-ordinators.
These include visiting the wadis
and mountains close to the resort,
along with excursions to Fossil
Rock and ancient archaeological
sites such as Camel Rock. Guests
can also request visits to Hatta,
a 200-year-old village which
silently speaks of early times.
An excursion to Al Ain will
reveal the burial tombs thousands
of years old. A combined visit
to the museum will enlighten
visitors to the earliest recordings
of civilisation in the UAE.
The Hajar Mountains, which
can be seen from Al Maha, and
a morning dune drive from the
resort, may end with a lunch
break in a tranquil enclave
in one of the wadis. Those who
feel like an adrenaline rush
can also partake in a session
of sand-skiing which occurs
in the large red dune area,
about forty minutes' drive from
the resort and which incorporates
4x4 dune driving.
All activities at the resort
are under the direction of an
Al Maha Field Guide. These members
of staff are experienced and
dedicated conservationists and
have extensive knowledge of
the environment, flora and fauna
of the region. |
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