Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Dubai — Hotel in Dubai

My husband and I had a wonderful stay at this gem of a hotel. The service was impeccable from the moment we arrived, with attentive and helpful staff that went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Riaz, one of the valets, was particularly accommodating and friendly. We were there at the beginning of June, so it felt like we were there all by ourselves -particularly in the evening.

Even though it was starting to get hot, it was still nice enough to enjoy being outdoors and take a stroll around the beautiful surroundings. The room was beautiful, with lots of attention to detail (including exquisite complimentary bonbons), and the breakfast buffet was genuinely the best I have tried of this sort. The options, but most importantly, the quality, was superb.

We had dinner at Anwa, the Pan-Asian restaurant, were we had the best ceviche I have tasted, made with freshly caught Mahi Mahi, and a delicious tuna roll. The cheesecake and the drinks were also great, so a highly recommended place to watch the sunset, relax and enjoy decadent food, even if you are not spending the night.

We also tried the indoor coffee place -which had surprisingly great smoothies- and Ninive for drinks. The pool layout was equally fantastic, we spent several hours refreshing in the water, and enjoying drinks and complimentary treats, including fruit skewers and popsicles. The consistent quality, placid ambiance, and unmatched service truly make this place stand out.

They offered a short complimentary camel ride and a meet and greet with one of their birds of prey, which is a nice touch considering most guests choose this hotel to enjoy the Dubai desert and what it has to offer. They also had many desert adventures you could choose from. My husband decided to do the archery class under the guidance of amazing Jamal, which turned out to be an impressively great class due to Jamal's professionalism. Other activities looked great, like the nature walk or Arab horse riding, but it was too hot for those in my opinion. It is worth coming in the winter to really take advantage of all the desert experiences.

One constructive criticism would be to offer a different package for stargazing. My husband and I really wanted to do that and it would have been one of the highlights of our stay. Alas, the only option was around AED 7,000 for up to 10 guests. I wish they offered a more affordable package for solo travelers or couples.

As for the spa, it is worth booking an appointment. We really enjoyed our couples massage with Kawtar and Mosad, and the whole atmosphere was luxurious and serene. Although it is small, it is well kept, clean and aesthetically pleasing, a true oasis of tranquility that is difficult to find in other Dubai locations, as you immediately get back to the hustle and bustle of the city. The gym was also very nice, with amazing views of the desert landscape as you workout and run on the treadmill.

Finally, I have to mention the architecture of the hotel, which really makes it stand out from the rest. Rather than feeling like any other luxury Dubai hotel, they have carefully designed it to match the geography of its desert surroundings and honor Emirati heritage. It feels more like a small bedouin town -if they were to forego nomadism and embrace lavishness- than a hotel, which is exactly the kind of unique, more authentic experience you want if you come to a place like Dubai.

Overall, we highly recommend it and we hope we can come back soon in the future. I have been to many other luxury hotels in Dubai and none come close to Bab Al Shams. It is also harder for me to be impressed, but I have to say this hotel achieved it. If you plan to visit, book for at least two nights, as there are so many things to enjoy. You...

Worst stay in Dubai we ever had. They just reopened the hotel after renovation ( they only renovated the rooms and restaurant, I stayed here before so I know) and the hotel has become one big nightmare, I know when you just reopen there are beginner mistakes. But to be honest, So many mistakes were made and a lot was charged for the room, So don’t re- open when you are not ready for it as now the guests are the ones who are having to pay ( literally) for your mistakes. We arrived and couldn’t check in as it was too busy, So we went to the pool area, We had lunch in their new restaurant Zena and there the first mistake of many was made, They have a buffet but it was literally covered with flies it was literally disgusting, Also the food was completely mixed up and ik took ages, In the end I got the wrong order and my chicken was completely burned, They said sorry and that was it ( we were charged for it) then at 4.30 pm we went back to reception and hoped our room was ready, Again it was one big nightmare and no one was there to help us ( it was Valentines day) after a while they showed us to the room, I paid for a desert king balcony view and they brought us to a very ugly inner courtyard room, I asked them what was this? They replied this was the room I ordered, I had to show my confirmation 3 times ( they even made pictures of it) and then finally we were shown the good room ( 1 hour later) literally our day was already ruined. The room and view were very pretty to be honest but they lost our luggage, I had to explain them how our luggage looked like, Are you really serious? Then later at night while we had the: Do not disturb sign on, Someone knocked the room 3 times and told us we asked for foam pillows, No we didn’t asked for pillows at all!! I called reception and they were so rude. In the evening we went to Al Hadheerah and truly, Please don’t go there, It’s one big tourist attraction, With groups of tourists holding signs and it’s a walking buffet with literally hundreds of people, It’s not worth it. Then when checking out I told them of our bad stay and that literally everything went wrong ( even other things that I’m not even going to mention here) and they were just: ah ok sorry, Nothing else, The reception staff Mohamed was like: ok you can come back to the hotel and stay one day at the pool, Yes like if we are going to drive 1 hour from Dubai to stay at your pool, Are you serious? We live in Dubai and stayed at many hotels, But this truly was the worst experience we ever had, Truly choose Al Maha or another hotel, This place ( and staff) is really not...

Bab Al Shams – Private Pool Villa, Dubai, Al Qudra 2 nights, weekend getaway

I booked this villa through Booking.com during a summer offer, and the process was straightforward. A few days before arrival, I contacted the hotel to prepare for our anniversary getaway, and the check-in was seamless. The valet greeted us warmly, and we were welcomed with a refreshing cold drink, which set a lovely tone right from the start.

The villa itself is newly renovated and spacious, truly a hidden gem that many have yet to discover.

Everything was meticulously clean, and the air conditioning was perfectly set. The bed and pillows met my high comfort standards, and the amenities — including snacks — were well provided. The bathroom was spacious and impeccably designed, although as a skincare enthusiast, I would have appreciated higher-end toiletries (though this is a minor point that wouldn’t affect most guests). Privacy was excellent, and while we could occasionally hear neighbors’ music or trucks passing by in the morning, it didn’t disturb the overall peaceful atmosphere. The service was outstanding — the staff were always just a text away, quick to send a golf cart when needed, and attentive to details like setting up and clearing our in-villa breakfast promptly at our requested times.

The staff throughout the hotel were professional and responsive, always quick to meet our needs.

The food exceeded my expectations; I honestly anticipated less, but every meal was delicious.

I also enjoyed the spa, where I had the signature treatment with Mimi, whose professionalism made it one of my best spa experiences.

Being located in the desert, some natural quirks come with the setting — a few bugs appeared at night, and there were occasional bird droppings near the pool area. These little aspects are understandable given the wildlife surroundings and didn’t detract from the experience.

The pool is temperature controlled through out the day.

The stay is kind of pricy, but still worth it. Still an excellent choice for a weekend getaway. I would happily return! My only wish is for a loyalty program, especially since Bab Al Shams is part of Kerzner Hospitality, which would encourage repeat visits.

Favorite thing: The villa’s newness, spaciousness, and top-notch service. Room for improvement: Offering a loyalty program and possibly upgrading the bathroom toiletries.

Rating: 5/5— Highly recommended for couples or anyone looking for a quiet desert retreat with...