Abu Dhabi - From Sea to Sand
Etihad Airways flew me direct from Dublin to Abu Dhabi, taking approximately 7 hours. Etihad are a fantastic airline offering great food and service. I was lucky enough to experience their Business Class on the Outbound journey, with fully flat beds and gourmet ‘anytime dining’, which was an amazing experience! I was also fortunate to experience the East Lounge in Terminal 1 which is a lovely relaxed lounge offering complimentary refreshments. What a way to start the trip!
The first part of our trip was to experience the 5 Star Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island, an idyllic luxury resort offering a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and nature! Our road transfer from the airport to the port was approximately 3 hours before a short luxury yacht transferred us to the island.
The island is a haven for nature lovers as it is home to the Sir Bani Yas Island Wildlife Reserve with over 13,000 animals, including Arabian oryx, giraffe, gazelles, and cheetahs. Our chosen activity, naturally, was to experience a safari tour which was great fun and the absolute highlight was to get up close and personal with the giraffes! Being able to walk alongside them was a very unique experience! It is also possible to enjoy activities like kayaking, snorkelling, and diving.
The resort offers a range of accommodations across three properties each offering something different. I stayed in the Desert Island Resort & Spa, in a Premier Sea View room which was huge with a beautiful balcony and breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. The Al Yamm Resort offers luxury castaway accommodation in beach villas reminiscent of Bedouin dwellings, and the Al Sahel resort offers Safari-style villas dotted across lush savannah, with indoor-outdoor living making the most of stunning surrounds.
From the setting, to the spa, to the pools, and the stargazing, this is a beautiful resort and whether you're looking for an adventurous getaway or a peaceful escape, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island offers a truly unforgettable experience.
Next stop, the ‘Empty Quarter’ and the 5 Star Anantara Qasr Al Sarab! This area of Abu Dhabi and this hotel in particular had always intrigued me and driving across miles and miles of desert brought a certain amount of anticipation! The approach and entrance to this hotel is like something from a movie. Just WOW! The resort's architecture is inspired by traditional Arabian forts, blending seamlessly with the stunning desert surroundings! This really is a special place and I was blown away.
The beautiful One Bedroom Pool Villa I had all to myself had ample luxurious space inside and amazing outside space including dinning area, sun loungers, day bed and outside shower. The panoramic views across the vast golden dunes was picture perfect!
We opted to rise early an enjoy a camel trek across the dunes which was quite something. Adventure enthusiasts can also enjoy activities such as dune bashing and archery. The resort also offers cultural experiences like desert safaris and stargazing!
Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort offers a truly unique desert retreat. With its tranquil atmosphere and opulent facilities, it promises an unforgettable experience in one of the most stunning desert landscapes on earth!
We had a quick Dinner stop and hotel inspection at the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, the only hotel on top of a racetrack! Yas Island is home to four theme parks - Ferrari World, Warner Bros, Seaworld Yas Island, and Yas Waterworld, not to mention numerous top class hotels.
Abu Dhabi as a fantastic destination in itself, or as a stopover combined with other destinations, truly has something to over everyone! If you are interested in this vast destination and all it has to offer please get in touch.
