![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWWLVRJN45GHTNER6ZSHHUTBMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=32996e7345e22e995b6ab5e3ec3ca18919c53996eaf92c5f794796180bc655f8&width=400&height=225)
Dune-bashing in a 4x4 is also available
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NATTX37B5HG3ADMPL2A357GQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=622ed9d105d998bc2bceaea9c38539240ea51acf708142493fbbf7bfae1b18fc&width=400&height=225)
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara opened in 2009 in the Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Anantara
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4VGXLBZSFAVTMBROVWCXVG2JA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6767067e373b7cb8fe393d919b445330bb75d03e1803d5579fa88b9eb386c8aa&width=400&height=225)
The entrance to the luxurious hotel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4VYWIPFN7BBW5IJTMFCVXMDZO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=86e5f308dc0e3d00bec35e63440375cf156fc80e057e218596772c006228bd2b&width=400&height=225)
The main lobby, which has the library and several seating areas nearby
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3QPDC6TV7FFFTMT7S5KLWJLQAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=27246dc7a2a0ce3542023b35afa3caaf65922872f82a7bcfcfb57ef7cd79eaf6&width=400&height=225)
The vast family-friendly pool
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6WN7XOSTDFFFJN6PXMKDGWB62Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d83863c067262716a2c5385a10acc76b3dc9241b555053a48d0b28f8906ece5&width=400&height=225)
The pool has a swim up bar and a poolside restaurant, Ghadeer
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UN2PUIKDZBBH7HXXMSW25PPZAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cda885a5ba8afe44845f88247f6b3456af638e980b8c4cd377df6c5e90618e18&width=400&height=225)
Upscale steakhouse Suhail has an open-air terrace, with desert views
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWVBQ2PTPZHQVBLQWNPHXR6J4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e86ae9f98fdd242ffa642e89f545d8e7aba445015dc8e8cbb252997831db3b2&width=400&height=225)
A one-bedroom pool villa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VVBLPOG65FCI5ISPWKDEGSFRNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=97160a2871f568b9cdc4ea0e7c0dd7e020822a7343c1503d00608a79e98390b7&width=400&height=225)
The villas have a large living area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GPLB7RTOTNC33ILMWRII7XPIBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=092fbac402cbdc8ea02aafe8a163bf51df7da7b80797cd1a2cd49924462be194&width=400&height=225)
A super-king-sized bedroom leads off the lounge
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DDY45ZFHKJGKZCRUCZNYIOT7LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=45e60d142ea11ea21a62f78d60ed339e5f1d35be826443bff68b0845db1381a2&width=400&height=225)
It also has a huge bathroom, with deep tub
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S466H2Q3URECJISVYCNSYKBSTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3b17a5d5fe7fb88f6b1c5e307a870073cb7b07038981674e55990940140ab27&width=400&height=225)
The spa and wellness centre has private massage areas outside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BC6AANRRFJFRHILSTTHSQ6LMHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66a796241a30862b281b2495eb57d0e16fa4bd67516ce34582398176cca1aa88&width=400&height=225)
Private Bedouin-style dinners in the desert can be booked in the cooler months
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EPICQRKOZBE2LARWTCWNXKYWTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=15c32e47861affcb97cd62c9d8e114e4c5521b76bc1fa4a460fdf8e2b5e68d4a&width=400&height=225)
Camel trekking is on offer
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RWLKQXL4D5AM3NLTUNKWWXN2HM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d00af83b78a61c4cd08dcb1c50fb3ebbffe96ebb258a0106c9ddee90c799858b&width=400&height=225)
The dunes are perfect for sandboarding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWWLVRJN45GHTNER6ZSHHUTBMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=32996e7345e22e995b6ab5e3ec3ca18919c53996eaf92c5f794796180bc655f8&width=400&height=225)
Dune-bashing in a 4x4 is also available
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NATTX37B5HG3ADMPL2A357GQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=622ed9d105d998bc2bceaea9c38539240ea51acf708142493fbbf7bfae1b18fc&width=400&height=225)
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara opened in 2009 in the Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Anantara
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4VGXLBZSFAVTMBROVWCXVG2JA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6767067e373b7cb8fe393d919b445330bb75d03e1803d5579fa88b9eb386c8aa&width=400&height=225)
The entrance to the luxurious hotel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4VYWIPFN7BBW5IJTMFCVXMDZO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=86e5f308dc0e3d00bec35e63440375cf156fc80e057e218596772c006228bd2b&width=400&height=225)
The main lobby, which has the library and several seating areas nearby
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3QPDC6TV7FFFTMT7S5KLWJLQAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=27246dc7a2a0ce3542023b35afa3caaf65922872f82a7bcfcfb57ef7cd79eaf6&width=400&height=225)
The vast family-friendly pool
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6WN7XOSTDFFFJN6PXMKDGWB62Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d83863c067262716a2c5385a10acc76b3dc9241b555053a48d0b28f8906ece5&width=400&height=225)
The pool has a swim up bar and a poolside restaurant, Ghadeer
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UN2PUIKDZBBH7HXXMSW25PPZAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cda885a5ba8afe44845f88247f6b3456af638e980b8c4cd377df6c5e90618e18&width=400&height=225)
Upscale steakhouse Suhail has an open-air terrace, with desert views
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWVBQ2PTPZHQVBLQWNPHXR6J4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e86ae9f98fdd242ffa642e89f545d8e7aba445015dc8e8cbb252997831db3b2&width=400&height=225)
A one-bedroom pool villa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VVBLPOG65FCI5ISPWKDEGSFRNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=97160a2871f568b9cdc4ea0e7c0dd7e020822a7343c1503d00608a79e98390b7&width=400&height=225)
The villas have a large living area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GPLB7RTOTNC33ILMWRII7XPIBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=092fbac402cbdc8ea02aafe8a163bf51df7da7b80797cd1a2cd49924462be194&width=400&height=225)
A super-king-sized bedroom leads off the lounge
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DDY45ZFHKJGKZCRUCZNYIOT7LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=45e60d142ea11ea21a62f78d60ed339e5f1d35be826443bff68b0845db1381a2&width=400&height=225)
It also has a huge bathroom, with deep tub
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S466H2Q3URECJISVYCNSYKBSTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3b17a5d5fe7fb88f6b1c5e307a870073cb7b07038981674e55990940140ab27&width=400&height=225)
The spa and wellness centre has private massage areas outside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BC6AANRRFJFRHILSTTHSQ6LMHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66a796241a30862b281b2495eb57d0e16fa4bd67516ce34582398176cca1aa88&width=400&height=225)
Private Bedouin-style dinners in the desert can be booked in the cooler months
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EPICQRKOZBE2LARWTCWNXKYWTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=15c32e47861affcb97cd62c9d8e114e4c5521b76bc1fa4a460fdf8e2b5e68d4a&width=400&height=225)
Camel trekking is on offer
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RWLKQXL4D5AM3NLTUNKWWXN2HM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d00af83b78a61c4cd08dcb1c50fb3ebbffe96ebb258a0106c9ddee90c799858b&width=400&height=225)
The dunes are perfect for sandboarding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWWLVRJN45GHTNER6ZSHHUTBMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=32996e7345e22e995b6ab5e3ec3ca18919c53996eaf92c5f794796180bc655f8&width=400&height=225)
Dune-bashing in a 4x4 is also available