The ultimate guide to the best Liwa Hotels & Resorts: a curated selection of the best places to stay in Liwa Oasis, one of the most remote, authentic, wonderful and surprising places in the UAE. Here you will find some of the best resorts in the Middle East, and it is the ideal place for an unforgettable stay in the heart of the desert.
What you’ll find in this guide to the best Liwa Hotels & Resorts:
- Best Liwa Hotels & Resorts
- Best Hotels near Liwa Oasis
- Liwa Hotels & Resorts: What to Expect
- FAQs on Liwa Hotels & Resorts
Best Liwa Hotels & Resorts
Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort
The Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort is without a doubt one of the most beautiful resorts in the UAE. And perhaps, of the world. Nestled in the wonderful setting of the Liwa Oasis, the Anantara Qasr at the Sarab Desert Resort is the finest hotel in Liwa and the ideal place for an unforgettable stay.
Nestled among the red dunes of the Empty Quarter – the boundless and evocative Arabian desert – this wonderful resort resembles an ancient desert fortress, a kind of sand castle that seems to have come out of the Arabian Nights fairytale. The spirit of the explorers and the desert nomads hovers in the dunes caressed by the wind. Starry nights fascinate travelers, while fine sand covers the lush gardens of an ancient and fascinating oasis.
Liwa Oasis is now a quiet, remote place, far from mass tourism. Few people know this charming place, located along the border with Oman. And the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort fully embodies its magical and suggestive atmosphere.
Located approximately 2 hours drive from Abu Dhabi and 3 hours from Dubai, the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort is the perfect place for a rejuvenating and romantic stay, perfect for couples. This luxurious 5-star resort boasts fabulous rooms, suites and villas, featuring Arabic-style decorations, fine furnishings, carpets and finishes, with extensive use of fine natural woods, marble and mosaics. The tints in shades of caramel, sand, brown, white and orange, recall the atmosphere of an ancient caravanserai, but the elegance of the furnishings makes it look like the home of a sultan.
The beautiful Anantara Suites have a huge living room, a fully equipped kitchenette and a nice private patio with table, sun loungers and views of the garden and the dunes. Among the most beautiful rooms are those with a terrace, which in fact boast a fabulous terrace with Arabic-style sofas and a huge porch overlooking the dunes.
For those who can afford them, the breathtaking Anantara Villas are one of the most beautiful places to stay in the Middle East. These private villas, located in one of the quietest corners of the resort and surrounded by a fabulous private garden enclosed within Arab fortress-style walls, boast a private infinity pool and sensational views of the red desert dunes. The villas range from 1 to 3 bedrooms and 1 to 3 bathrooms. The largest measures 210 square meters, has a huge living room and terraces with tables, sofas and loungers, as well as barbecue facilities.
Staying at the Anantara Qasr at the Sarab Desert Resort you can benefit from the beautiful spa, with hammam, relaxation areas, private jacuzzis, steam baths, ice room, sauna and offers a plethora of rejuvenating treatments, beauty routines, wellness treatments, private yoga classes and top-notch massages. The highly trained staff speak multiple languages and offer some of the best professional treatments, making the Anantara Qasr SPA at Sarab Desert Resort one of the best in the UAE. You can also benefit from the large fitness center and swimming pool with sun terraces, a lush park with palm trees, shaded areas and sunbeds, a sports center with tennis courts, horse riding, archery and mountain biking.
This resort offers the utmost tranquility and a value experience for both couples and families, in fact there is also a kid’s club with specialized staff. Coming to food, the Anantara Al Waha Restaurant serves fine Arabic cuisine, while the Suhail Restaurant serves excellent French-inspired specialties. Finally, the Ghadeer is a casual and atmospheric restaurant serving light meals.
The Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort has a large free private car park and a 24-hour reception with multilingual staff. The pools are open all year round, as are the various bars serving great cocktails and drinks. The hotel staff organizes excursions and walks in the desert, falconry shows, camel rides and horse rides.
Liwa Nights
If you are looking for a stay out of the ordinary, Liwa Nights could be for you. Located in the heart of the desert, nestled between the high dunes of Liwa Oasis and a short distance from the Moreeb Dunes, which are among the highest in the world. Liwa Nights is a glamping site that offers some scenic tent accommodations: large circular tents reminiscent of those of desert nomads.
Inside the tent is a comfortable bed, with a super-comfy mattress, bedside tables and a sitting area. You will have a private bathroom with shower and complimentary toiletries. It is a basic but at the same time luxurious room. The tent even has air conditioning! And then the cherry on the cake: a fabulous view of the desert dunes.
The friendly host, who speaks several languages, will do his best to make you feel at home and give you an unforgettable experience. The tents are set in a scenic oasis with date palms. The place is very quiet, away from mass tourism. This is an absolute hidden gem, so far known mainly by locals.
You will spend memorable nights sitting around the fire admiring the mind-blowing starry sky. You will be able to enjoy the silence or a pleasant chat with the host. In fact, the tents at Liwa Nights are all-inclusive, which means you’ll have home-cooked breakfasts, lunches, and dinners included. You will also be able to taste the dates grown in the oasis, as well as enjoy many desert activities, such as hiking, visits to old forts, dune buggies and much more.
Liwa Hotel
Located in the heart of Liwa Oasis, one step away from a quiet desert village and the red dunes of the Empty Quarter (also called Rub Al Khali), the Liwa Hotel is a great 5-star hotel in Liwa.
Modernly decorated in a contemporary Arabic style, this hotel boasts spacious and comfortable rooms, each with a patio overlooking the dunes. The rooms are equipped with everything you need for a pleasant stay, have a large living room, a bathtub and a private bathroom with shower and complimentary toiletries.
Guests will benefit from the hotel’s restaurant, the Green Liwa Oasis, which serves regional and international cuisine, as well as the fitness center and small spa, with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Furthermore, the hotel has a swimming pool overlooking the dunes, sun terraces and a poolside bar. The pools are open all year round. In the morning, a good breakfast buffet is served. The reception is open 24 hours a day and private parking is free for hotel guests.
Best Hotels near Liwa Oasis
Tilal Liwa Hotel Madinat Zayed
Located in the Liwa Desert, halfway between Abu Dhabi and Liwa Oasis, the Tilal Liwa Hotel Madinat Zayed is a luxurious 4-star resort boasting excellent and inexpensive rooms and suites, all with fabulous views of the dunes. Especially popular with couples, the Tilal Liwa Hotel Madinat Zayed is very popular with locals and expats for a staycation or a rejuvenating break away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
The comfortable rooms have a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries and some also have a balcony or patio with a nice view of the garden, the swimming pool or the Liwa Desert’s dunes. The hotel’s restaurants serve excellent regional and international cuisine, including vegetarian options. They have live cooking station and are beautifully set in the garden.
When booking, be sure to opt for the all-inclusive rate, so that you can enjoy the good breakfast buffet and the excellent and abundant lunches and dinners, as well as a good selection of unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). It’s a bargain, considering the expensive drink prices in the UAE. Also consider that the hotel is located in the desert, so you won’t have any other restaurants and bars around.
The hotel has a large sun terrace with loungers and an infinity pool with a nice desert view. The small spa boasts a steam room and offers some treatments and massages. The reception is open 24 hours a day and you can also benefit from free private parking.
Liwa Hotels & Resorts: What to Expect
Liwa Oasis is a real hidden gem. It is one of the lesser known and less touristy places in the UAE, so it has kept its old charm intact and is the ideal place for a regenerating stay, away from the hustle and bustle. There are few hotels in Liwa, but some of them are some of the best you could stay at in the Middle East.
In particular, the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric hotels in the world. It is a dream resort, boasting top-notch amenities and accommodations. Its design is reminiscent of an ancient Arab fortress and its charm of yesteryear evokes stories of caravans, sultans and princesses.
Staying in one of the Liwa hotels means enjoying a moment of relaxation, admiring one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the Arabian Peninsula and exploring a slice of what is the largest sandy desert in the world. Here are some of the highest sand dunes in the world, and it is the perfect area for desert activities, such as camel rides, dune buggies, hikes and off-road rides.
You will also be able to admire dozens of old forts, as well as take a look at some traditional villages: the United Arab Emirates are not just the glamorous skyscrapers and resorts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but also villages of sand and dust, ideal places to get in touch with the interesting local culture.
Staying in the Liwa hotels you will have a fabulous view of the desert and the oasis, where date palms are still grown today. You can pop into the villages to taste the best dates, buy some local handicraft souvenirs or taste some local specialties. There are a few small shops and kiosks, mainly meant for locals. In fact, until a few years ago, Liwa Oasis was a remote borderland, populated only by camel ranchers, date palm farmers and the thousands of workers who live and work in the gas fields hidden in the heart of the desert.
FAQs on Liwa Hotels & Resorts
What’s the best hotel in Liwa Oasis?
The best hotel in Liwa Oasis is the fabulous 5-star Anantara Qasr at the Sarab Desert Resort. Particularly popular with couples, honeymooners and families, this luxury hotel boasts first-class service and fabulous accommodations with desert views.
What’s the best cheap hotel in Liwa Desert?
Liwa Oasis isn’t exactly a cheap destination, but in the Liwa Desert, about 65km north of Liwa Oasis and near modern Zayed City, is the Tilal Liwa Hotel boasting good desert-view accommodations and affordable rates. Check out the affordable all-inclusive rates, which are the best deal you’ll find around Liwa.
What are the Liwa hotels prices?
Prices for a double room in one of the best Liwa hotels range from AED 1.100 ($ 300) to AED 2.500 ($ 700) per night.
For the fabulous villas of the Anantara Qasr at the Sarab Desert Resort, prices start around AED 5.100 ($ 1400). During the high season and especially between November and January, the rates may be subject to increases. Especially if you are traveling in these months, it may be advisable to book well in advance.
Those who want to stay in Liwa on New Year’s Eve should book early, as the best hotels in Liwa may be in high demand! The same goes for the tents at Liwa Nights, as availability is very limited.
How far is Liwa Oasis from Dubai?
Liwa Oasis is about 300 km from Dubai, which means about 3 hours of driving. You can easily go from Dubai to Liwa Oasis by driving along the E11 road to Abu Dhabi and from there the E65 road which leads straight to Liwa and is a wide and excellent freeway.
How far is Liwa Oasis from Abu Dhabi?
Liwa Oasis is about 200 km from Abu Dhabi, which means about 2 hours of driving. You can easily go from Abu Dhabi to Liwa Oasis by driving on the E65 road that leads straight to Liwa through the scenic landscapes of the Liwa Desert.
How to get to Liwa Oasis from Dubai?
The best way to get to Liwa Oasis from Dubai is by car. You could rent a car in Dubai and drive there, as it is the best way – you will be able to enjoy the fabulous desert landscape along the way – and it is also the cheapest way, as car rental prices in Dubai can be quite affordable and the gasoline is cheap.
Here you can find our guide to the best car rentals in the UAE: how to choose the most reliable car rental companies, how to find the best deals and everything you need to know about driving in the UAE, including permits and licenses.
How to get to Liwa Oasis from Abu Dhabi?
As with Dubai, from Abu Dhabi the best way to get to Liwa Oasis is to drive along the scenic E65 road. You could rent a car in Abu Dhabi. There are several reliable and affordable rental options in town and at Abu Dhabi Airport.
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