Rise like a mirage from the legendary Liwa Desert at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, where Arabian luxury meets the timeless beauty of the Empty Quarter. This fortress of luxury stands as a gateway to the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert, offering an authentic desert experience wrapped in world-class comfort. Here, where endless dunes paint the horizon in shades of gold and amber, discover a retreat that captures the romance of Arabia’s desert heritage.
A Desert Palace of Dreams
Qasr Al Sarab, meaning “Mirage Palace,” emerges from the desert like an ancient fortress, its architecture inspired by traditional Arabian kasbah design. The resort’s ochre walls blend seamlessly with the surrounding dunes, while intricate Islamic patterns, soaring arches, and handcrafted details create an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Water features and palm-fringed courtyards provide cooling contrast to the desert heat, creating oases of tranquility throughout the property.
Rooms and Villas Embracing Desert Views
The resort’s 206 rooms, suites, and villas offer sanctuaries of Arabian luxury, each designed to maximize the spectacular desert vistas. Deluxe Rooms feature private terraces or balconies overlooking either the desert expanse or the resort’s lush gardens. Rich fabrics, traditional artifacts, and contemporary amenities create spaces that honor local heritage while ensuring modern comfort.
The Pool Villas elevate the experience with private plunge pools set on expansive terraces, perfect for cooling off while watching the sun paint the dunes in ever-changing hues. The Royal Pavilion Villas offer ultimate privacy with multiple bedrooms, private pools, and dedicated butler service, creating personal desert palaces for families or groups. Every accommodation features handcrafted furnishings, luxurious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and technology discretely integrated to maintain the authentic ambiance.
Culinary Journeys Through Desert Flavors
Dining at Qasr Al Sarab celebrates both international cuisine and authentic Middle Eastern flavors. Ghadeer restaurant offers all-day dining with live cooking stations and themed nights that journey from Mediterranean shores to Asian markets. Suhail rooftop lounge provides the perfect setting for sunset cocktails and light bites, with 360-degree views of the desert landscape.
Al Falaj presents traditional Bedouin cuisine in a torch-lit setting beside the pool, where aromatic grills and time-honored recipes tell the story of desert hospitality. For truly memorable experiences, the resort arranges private dining on the dunes, where traditional majlis seating, flickering lanterns, and a canopy of stars create magical Arabian nights. The resort’s skilled chefs can also conduct cooking classes, sharing the secrets of Emirati cuisine.
Anantara Spa: Desert Wellness Sanctuary
The Anantara Spa draws inspiration from ancient Arabian wellness traditions and the healing properties of the desert. Treatment rooms overlook private gardens where the only sounds are the whisper of wind through palms and the gentle trickle of water features. Signature treatments incorporate indigenous ingredients like camel milk, dates, and desert sand, while hammam rituals offer authentic Middle Eastern purification experiences.
The spa features separate male and female areas with steam rooms, saunas, and plunge pools, plus a stunning rooftop terrace for yoga and meditation sessions as the sun rises over the dunes. Fitness facilities include a state-of-the-art gym and movement studio, while the resort’s swimming pools provide refreshing escapes from the desert heat.
Desert Adventures and Cultural Immersion
The Liwa Desert serves as a vast playground for adventure, and Qasr Al Sarab offers expertly guided experiences that reveal its wonders. Camel treks follow ancient caravan routes, while 4×4 dune bashing provides adrenaline-pumping rides over towering sand mountains. Fat biking on specially designed desert bikes offers a unique way to explore, while sandboarding down steep dunes delivers thrills for all ages.
Cultural activities connect guests with Emirati heritage through falconry displays, traditional dance performances, and archery lessons. The resort’s guides share stories of Bedouin life, desert survival techniques, and the region’s transformation from nomadic routes to modern prosperity. Stargazing sessions with telescopes reveal celestial wonders invisible in city skies, while photography workshops help capture the desert’s extraordinary light and landscapes.
Gateway to Empty Quarter Exploration
Qasr Al Sarab’s location on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) provides access to one of Earth’s most dramatic landscapes. Multi-day expeditions can be arranged for those seeking deeper desert immersion, camping under stars in luxury Bedouin-style camps. The resort also serves as a base for exploring the Liwa Oasis with its historic forts, date palm plantations, and traditional markets where time seems to move at desert pace.