This Bab Al Shams Desert Resort review covers what it’s really like to stay at one of Dubai’s most atmospheric desert resorts—what works, what stands out, and where it’s genuinely worth slowing down. Bab Al Shams sits about an hour outside the city, and that distance matters. As soon as Dubai’s skyline fades and the desert opens up, the pace shifts. It already feels like you’re going somewhere intentional, not just checking into another luxury hotel.
If you’re planning your arrival into the city first, see my guide on what to expect at DXB—it’ll save you time and stress before heading out to the desert.
Bab Al Shams is located deep in the Dubai desert, roughly an hour from the city depending on traffic. We used Uber and had zero issues—the drive was smooth and straightforward.
Arrival sets the tone immediately. Staff greet you, take your bags, and offer a homemade welcome beverage before personally walking you to your room and explaining the property. It feels thoughtful and genuinely personal. The whole process is polished without being stiff, and you instantly feel taken care of.
Rooms and suites lean into a traditional Arabian desert aesthetic—warm tones, textured fabrics, and details that fit the environment without feeling dated. Entry-level rooms face the desert gardens or courtyards, while higher categories offer more space, better positioning, and private outdoor areas.
We stayed in a Desert Garden View room, which was the perfect balance of comfort and atmosphere. It was spacious, quiet, and felt very private, with calming views over landscaped gardens. The bathroom was large, and the multi-jet shower was a standout—one of those showers you actually look forward to using at night. Robes and slippers are provided, which always makes a stay feel more relaxed and resort-like.
If sunrise or sunset views matter to you, terrace rooms and suites are worth considering for better desert positioning. Overall, the rooms aren’t flashy, but they’re thoughtfully designed, comfortable, and exactly right for the slower desert-escape vibe.
The grounds are beautiful and intentionally designed to feel like a desert village rather than a traditional hotel. Low-rise buildings are connected by winding walkways and palm-lined paths, making everything easy to navigate while still feeling quiet and private.
A few rooms have limited sunrise views, so for the best light, walk toward the far end of the resort near the spa. Sunset can be tricky directly from your room, but there are designated viewpoints worth seeking out.
The pool area is a highlight. It’s multi-tiered, beautifully designed, and includes an adults-only section—my personal favorite. Loungers are plentiful, umbrellas are set up for you, and there are even fun pool floats available. While lounging, staff brought complimentary real-fruit popsicles, which was such a thoughtful touch.
The lobby has a bar plus complimentary dates and tea, adding to the welcoming feel. There’s also a small boutique selling sunglasses, dresses, coverups, and fun accessories if you forgot something or want an easy souvenir.
One of the most memorable parts of this Bab Al Shams Desert Resort review was the included camel rides and falcon experience. The camel ride is short but fun if you’ve never done one.
The falcon experience completely surprised me. I’m not a bird person at all, but I loved it. The handler clearly adores the birds—you can tell they’re his little buddies. He shared fascinating details about falconry and even demonstrated how they “caught” their meal before feeding them. It was engaging, educational, and unexpectedly special.
Dining is a major part of the experience here, and it’s layered across several very different venues.
Ninive has an atmosphere that’s sexy yet classy and genuinely transportive, making it easy to forget you’re just outside Dubai. Our waiter guided us thoughtfully, which led us to order dishes we wouldn’t normally choose.
Starters included beef kibbeh, watermelon halloumi, flavored feta, spicy avocado, and tamarind chicken. The beef kibbeh was a bit dry and less flavorful than expected (5/10). The watermelon halloumi was refreshing and bright with cherry tomatoes, pomegranate dressing, mint, and chili (8/10). The flavored feta selection was a little too strong overall, though some stood out more than others (6/10). The spicy avocado dip was good—think Arabian guacamole—but I personally prefer classic guac with chips (7/10).
The tamarind chicken was the clear standout—crispy, balanced, and full of flavor with spiced yogurt, pomegranate, and parsley (8/10). For the main, we split the manti, a beef ravioli dish with yogurt, tomato sauce, chili, and mint (8/10). Dessert was baklava with mastic ice cream, which ended up being the best part of the meal. The ice cream has a slightly stretchy texture that surprised me at first, but it’s incredibly creamy and flavorful (9/10).
These ratings are purely personal taste—nothing was poorly prepared.
Breakfast at Zala is generous, colorful, and relaxed. The fruit station includes classics plus tropical options that feel especially refreshing in the desert heat. The pastry corner is stacked with croissants, danishes, muffins, and sweet breads.
Hot dishes rotate but typically include eggs cooked every way, made-to-order omelets, Arabic breakfast staples like foul medames and hummus, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages, and an impressive bread selection—from warm pita to seeded loaves and flatbreads.
Regional touches like labneh, zaatar, olives, cheese platters, and spiced eggs make it feel rooted in place. Sitting outside with coffee or tea in the morning sun is an easy highlight.
Al Hadheerah is not just dinner—it’s an event. It is a bit of a walk from the main hotel area, so plan a few extra minutes to get there, and plan to spend 2–3 hours here. Arrive early so you can browse the artisan shops nearby. Many items are handmade; we spoke with a young man whose family creates the crafts and brought home a papier-mâché camel. The sand art jars, made in front of you using dyed Dubai sand, are also very cool.
Dinner is a grand buffet that feels nothing like a typical buffet. Everything is displayed beautifully, and the quality is excellent. You start with dips and bread that feel like an Arabian cheese board—sweet and savory combinations with pickled vegetables. The kebab station is a must. I had the chicken with rice, and it was outstanding. There are also fish, seafood, salads, and an impressive variety throughout.
The night includes live music, belly dancers, traditional dancers, a fire show, and even a camel show. It’s genuinely fun and well-paced.
We ordered lunch directly from the pool bar, and staff handled everything—chairs, towels, food delivery. The Caesar chicken salad and fruit platter were both great, but the fruit tray stood out: fresh, juicy, and perfect for a hot desert afternoon.
Beyond dining, Bab Al Shams shines in the details. The village-style layout includes a spa and hammam, kids’ club, volleyball court, sunset viewpoints, and activity spaces that never feel crowded.
The in-room mini bar is well stocked with snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and alcohol options, all clearly priced and convenient for low-key evenings.
One of the most interesting design elements is the use of traditional Kashmiri papier-mâché decor. These handcrafted pieces are made from paper pulp and finished with intricate floral designs and metallic accents. Each piece feels intentional and adds cultural depth rather than generic luxury styling.
If you want to fully disconnect, 3–5 days is ideal. That gives you time to enjoy the pool, dining, desert views, and on-property experiences without feeling rushed. For a deeper look at desert scenery beyond the resort, learn more in my post about Dubai Desert Adventure: What a Desert Drive Is Really Like.
For accommodations, I booked them here—this makes it simple to see room categories and seasonal pricing without overthinking it. If you’re visiting Bab Al Shams with a car, the drive out into the desert is actually very easy, and having your own vehicle gives you more flexibility if you want to explore beyond the resort—so if you're thinking of renting one, you can rent one here.
If you want more dining inspiration before or after your desert stay, check out my guide on Where to Eat in Dubai: Best Restaurants With Views—it’s a great contrast to the slower pace out here.
Bab Al Shams feels like a true desert escape—immersive, thoughtfully designed, and intentionally slower than city hotels. The service is polished, the food experiences are memorable, and the setting never feels over-the-top. If you’re deciding whether to add a desert stay to your itinerary, this Bab Al Shams Desert Resort review makes a strong case. It’s luxurious without being flashy, cultural without feeling staged, and genuinely memorable.
Yes. Sanguich is worth it. 🥪😍 It works because it doesn’t try to be trendy. No fusion twist. No reinvention. Just the classics done correctly.
Roasted pork done right.
Bread pressed properly.
Flavors that actually make sense together.
It feels nostalgic. Intentional. Rooted in culture. And it’s easily one of the best lunch stops in Downtown Miami. If you’re near Bayside Marketplace wondering where to eat this is a simple answer.✨
Thinking about the Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata for your Virgin Voyages excursion?🌊 Important context: I am not a thrill girl. Roller coasters make me queasy. And I still loved this.
The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua are like a 5/10 intensity. Adventurous but very doable. Guided. Safe. Not extreme.
You can choose your comfort level and that’s what makes it so good.😍
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If you’re docking in Puerto Plata and don’t want to book an excursion, this is such an easy way to spend a few hours. You can walk straight from Taino Bay. It’s flat, manageable, and felt safe with a really good mix of colorful photo ops and actual city energy.
If you only have 1–2 hours, prioritize:
📍 Umbrella Street
📍 Pink Street
📍 Centro Histórico
Have more time? Add the Malecón de Puerto Plata. Into history? Stop by Fortaleza San Felipe. We were there during La Vega Carnival, which made everything feel extra lively, but even without a festival, I’d still recommend this route.
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If you’re cruising into Taino Bay, here’s what you actually need to know. I was genuinely surprised. It’s clean, modern, and way more built out than I expected. Shops, photo spots, a lazy river, restaurants you could easily spend a few hours here without feeling bored.
I left for an excursion, but coming back and spending the afternoon inside the port was actually… nice. Easy. Low stress.
If you want adventure or deeper culture, leave the port. If you want a relaxed day? You truly don’t have to. Save this for your Puerto Plata stop & read the full blog now! 🌴
I wouldn’t recommend @virginvoyages to everyone…🫢
If you’re Googling who Virgin Voyages is really for, you’re probably wondering if it fits your travel style, or if it’s just great marketing. I’ve sailed multiple times, taste-tested the ship (for research, obviously), and paid attention to the details that actually matter.
Here’s the honest answer, no cruise brochure fluff. Head to my blog to read more about planning your trip!🚢
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