It’s a scientific fact that being out in nature makes us happier.
Because while most of us love the exciting and dynamic pace of the UAE’s big cities, there comes a point where you need to get away from the meetings, events, and traffic for a while, and unwind and destress in nature.
Thankfully, the seven emirates offer far more than just skyscrapers and shopping malls. Home to amazing natural landscapes that take you from towering mountains to golden desert dunes and bright blue oceans in just a matter of minutes, there are many places where you can switch off and reconnect with nature.
You don’t have to sacrifice luxury to experience them either.
Offering the best of both worlds – plush amenities combined with jaw-dropping natural beauty – below are nine amazing, nature-infused hotels that deserve to be on your bucket list.
Alberni Jebel Hafeet
Perched at the top of Jebel Hafeet – the tallest mountain in Abu Dhabi and the second in the UAE – this modern retreat is a wonderful place to replenish your energy levels. Situated 1,000m above sea level and overlooking the lovely sleepy city of Al Ain, you’ll spend the entire trip being constantly enthralled by its panoramic views.Â
Located right by the border with Oman, the temperatures are noticeably cooler than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and this makes it the perfect base for an active break, and for exploring the nearby Al Ain Oasis (containing over 1,400 date palms), and the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafit Tombs. Only opened in 2023, its exclusive location isn’t reflected in its price tag, and it’s a lot more affordable than many of the country’s other 5-star hotels, too.
@albernijebelhafeet.
Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Inspired by the history and heritage of the emirates, and designed to look like a traditional Bedouin village, this exclusive desert boutique hotel is like nowhere else in the UAE. Home to roaming Arabian horses and a long palm-tree lined swimming pool, many of the gorgeous rooms come with private pools and balconies, and you can just tell that every little detail has been carefully considered and designed.
However, while the many restaurants, tranquil spa, and luxury amenities are highly impressive, it’s the setting that makes it so special and unique. Surrounded by shimmering golden dunes as far as the eye can see, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from the views that greet you from every patio, window, and balcony. Don’t forget to head up to rooftop bar for sunset either – it’s sure to be the best one you’ve ever seen.
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi
Set out in what feels like the middle of nowhere, you are bound to spot camels and gazelles on your drive down to this ultra-exclusive, adults-only retreat. Found on the coastline between Ghantoot and the Ras Ghanada Marine Protected Area, its peace and quiet is rarely disturbed, and its design is completely breathtaking, too. Inspired by the most famous of the Greek islands, everything is white, pure, and immensely luxurious, but at the same time far from wasteful and excessive. Home to its own organic farm and crop of 450 date palms, much of the food is grown onsite, and the outdoor lighting is kept intentionally muted so as not to disturb local wildlife.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi Resorts
Established as a nature reserve in 1971, Sir Bani Yas Island is now home to 11,000 exotic animals. Thanks to its comprehensive conservation programmes, it now has one of the largest populations of critically endangered Arabian oryx in the world, and it’s also dedicated to nurturing other rare animals such as sand gazelles and blackbuck antelope. Allowing you to live alongside free roaming giraffes, flamingos, and even cheetahs, it’s an extraordinary place that fuses pure relaxation with adrenaline-fueled safari adventure.
Offering three accommodation options (all by Anantara), you can choose between the beachfront rooms of the Desert Islands Resort & Spa, the private beach villas of Al Yamm Villa Resort, or stay right out in the middle of the wild savannah in one of the rustic, safari-style villas that make up Al Sahel Villa Resort.
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Set against 360-degree views of the jagged Hajar mountain range, JA Hatta Fort Hotel is the only mountain resort in Dubai. Feeling as far from the skyscrapers and shopping malls of the city as it’s possible to be, it’s so green, wild, and mountainous you’ll struggle to believe that you are still actually in the UAE. Offering a mix of cute and cosy cabins and plush hotel rooms, many of the suites are pet friendly, and there’s so much to see and do in the nearby area.
Ranging from mountain biking and trail hiking, to kayaking at Hatta Dam, it’s a dream location for outdoor lovers, while the pool, spa, yoga classes, and seven onsite restaurants provide plenty of opportunities for relaxation, too.Â
@jahattaforthotel.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Although Saadiyat Island has become rather developed in recent years, its long and pristine coastline remains as beautiful as ever. Spanning Maldives-blue waters and soft white sands, one of its most magnificent hotels is the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. Chic and understatedly luxurious, its spectacular infinity pool leads straight out onto the sand, and the restaurants – including the delicious buffet breakfast – are simply out of this world. Offering everything from yoga on the beach to sundowners at the dreamy beach bar, it’s the ideal place to soak up the island’s incredible nature, and feel the healing powers of spending time outdoors.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
A long-time supporter of the Saadiyat Island turtle patrol and a partner of the Abu Dhabi Mangroves Initiative, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is committed to protecting the area’s local wildlife. With dolphins and turtles often spotted from the beach, and gazelles frequently found wandering through the lush gardens, it allows you to experience the wild animals of the UAE like never before.
When you can drag yourself away from the beach, there’s padel and tennis courts and a huge gym to explore, and an active kids club, slides, and a lazy river for little ones. too. Pulling up a bean bag to watch the sunset from the boho chic beach bar at the end of the day is a must, while the hotel’s sustainability efforts include serving locally sourced vegetables and eggs in the restaurants, generating power for solar panels, and recycling and repurposing any leftover soap bars through UnisoapUAE.
@saadiyatrotana.
Sandy Beach Resort
Wild, rugged, and natural, the mountainous coastline of Fujairah is another area that goes against most people’s expectations of the UAE. Famous for its marine life, one of its most iconic snorkelling and diving spots is Snoopy Island, a small, pointed rock found right opposite Sandy Beach Resort. A short and manageable swim from the shore, its abundance of fish, turtles, and other marine life will simply take your breath away. Paddle boards, snorkel masks, and kayaks can all be rented from the hotel and, if you fancy further immersing yourself into nature, it also hosts regular yoga and wellness retreats.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
One of the UAE’s most iconic hotels, this fabulous desert hideaway invites you to wake up to views of elegant Arabian oryx striding by your private pool, and spend your evenings watching the golden sunset over the rolling dunes. While the newly unveiled Signature Villas are simply stunning, you can’t pick a bad room, and all the accommodation is built from natural materials that blend into the landscape.
Set within a 1,325-acre nature resort, the onsite activities include horse riding, bird watching, nature walks, and trips to feed the reserve’s hundreds-strong populations of gazelles and oryx. If you’re looking for somewhere to go during an anniversary or special occasion, it doesn’t get better than this.
@ritzcarltonalwadidesert.
