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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