UAE – Al Hamra / Al Wadi / Al Wathba / Al Maha & similar desert/tent hotels

[Benilyn]

Just wanted to start a thread to discuss these tent-type / Desert hotels in the UAE. Some popular ones are:

I know Rob reviewed Al Hamra: https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/10/29/review-ritz-carlton-al-hamra-beach-hotel-ras-al-khaimah/ & Al Wadi: https://www.headforpoints.com/2021/02/11/review-ritz-carlton-al-wadi-desert-resort-ras-al-khaimah/

There is also the Al Wathba (https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/auhlc-al-wathba-a-luxury-collection-desert-resort-and-spa-abu-dhabi/) in Abu Dhabi part of the Luxury Collection & Al Maha (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dxbam-al-maha-a-luxury-collection-desert-resort-and-spa-dubai/) also part of Luxury Collection

Al Maha out of the question for me because no kids. Just wondering if anyone else has been and their thoughts, or recommendations for any others on cash/points, these are just the Marriott ones. I am contemplating doing 2x nights Al Hamra, and 2x nights Al Wadi (then few nights start and end of the trip in Dubai/Abu Dhabi depending if I fly EK/EY).

[Rob]

You’ve seen my Al Hamra / Al Wadi reviews. Doing both is sensible (very close, for a start) and they are totally different. Whilst technically tents – unless you get a villa at Al Wadi – they are super luxurious hotel rooms (actual rooms, with internal doors etc) so the tent element is a bit of a novelty. It’s not as if its going to rain on your tent …

With Al Hamra, the key is NOT the tents – the key is that it is a VERY small resort with huge amounts of private beach. It’s a bit like being in the Maldives, except for the views of the beachside hotels from your beach. The Al Wadi tents are also a novelty to the extent that nothing else is tented – the spa, reception, restaurants etc are all standard buildings. I recommend both but not because of the tented element, which actually once you’re there becomes secondary to the experience.

I just remembered that my son is now old enough for Al Maha so I may lock in a couple of nights before the devaluation ….

Remember that Ras is the other way to Abu Dhabi, so it’s probably close to a 2 hour drive between them which quite a bit. The 1 hour hop from Dubai is easier.

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