Eid is always a great time to gather the family, dust off the suitcases and leave the laptop well and truly behind. And because 2026 has been, well, a lot so far, we thought you deserved the break.
But, with fuel prices in the headlines and long-haul travel feeling harder to justify, this Eid Escapes edit focuses on destinations that are relatively easy to reach from the UAE. From island stays and desert retreats to wellness-led resets and conservation-focused safaris, these are places that deliver on experience without losing sight of their impact.
Al Zorah Beach Resort, Ajman, UAE
Tucked along Ajman’s coastline, Al Zorah Beach Resort is located within one million square metres of protected mangroves, featuring pristine white-sand beaches and one of the UAE’s most important coastal ecosystems. Just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, Al Zorah is home to mangroves, flamingos, coral reefs and marine life. Paddle through lagoons on a guided kayak tour surrounded by 10-metre mangroves and rich birdlife, including kingfishers and osprey.
This Eid escapes staycation deal offers ocean-view upgrades, long check-ins and late check-outs, and lazy days that unfold between the beach and the spa. More about slowing down, this staycation proves that a change of pace, instead of long-haul flights, is often all that’s needed.
When: Eid long weekend
How much: Includes daily breakfast for two, 20 per cent savings on dining and spa, Ocean View upgrade, flexible check-in/out times and welcome drinks at Aquario Bar. alzohrabeachresort.com
Cottar’s Safaris, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Marking Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday this year (May 8th), Cottar’s Safaris has launched a three-night experience to celebrate the occasion. Based at the multi-award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Camp in the private Olderkesi Conservancy in the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, the ‘Century Safari’ is all about understanding the ecosystem instead of just being an observer.
The program being unrolled at this fifth-generation family-run luxury safari company in Kenya allows guests to experience guided wildlife tracking, bush walks with expert trackers, and time with the region’s first all-female ranger unit, offering a closer look at how conservation and community are intertwined. There’s also a strong focus on education, from predator-prey dynamics to the role of endangered vultures, while evenings are spent around the campfire for talks on Maasai culture, pangolins, conservation and the history of African safari, all under a canopy of stars. A perfect Eid escape.
When: Launching May 2026
How much: From USD 3,450 per person for three nights, including full board and guided experiences. cottars.com
Qasr Al Sarab, Empty Quarter, UAE
Set within the striking Empty Quarter – the world’s largest sand desert – Qasr Al Sarab offers an Eid escape in an uninterrupted landscape. Days start with sunrise over the flame-coloured dunes and include camel trekking across the Rub’ al Khali, archery, time in the cooling pool, and an array of Arabian spa treatments, from hammams to desert rose rituals. By night, enjoy lantern-lit terraces, desert breezes and star-filled skies for magical memories.
There’s also a lot going on behind the scenes, from solar-heated pools and an on-site water bottling plant to a working Emirati farm growing seasonal produce in the desert. The resort also supports gazelle and oryx conservation programmes, focusing on protecting and rewilding species native to the region.
When: Eid Al Adha through to end of August
How much: Includes breakfast, 20 pr cent savings on dining and spa, flexible 24-hour check-in/out and complimentary stays for children under 12. anantara.com
Mandarin Oriental, Muscat, Oman
Set along the shores of Shatti Al Qurum, the Mandarin Oriental Muscat offers 103 rooms and 47 suites, adorned with local materials such as desert rose marble and ash wood, celebrating Oman’s natural beauty and heritage. This Eid escape is close enough to the city’s cultural spots and vibrant souks, yet far enough away to take a break.
The ‘Meaningful Pause’ stay offers breakfast by the water, afternoons between the beach and spa, and Muscat’s landmarks are close by – the Royal Opera House Muscat is just moments away – if you feel like venturing out. Across the long weekend, there’s Eid atmosphere woven in, from a relaxed seaside brunch at Rawya featuring a traditional shuwa oven to seasonal afternoon teas. For something more restorative, the Biologique Recherche facial adds a results-driven reset to the mix. It’s also worth noting that the hotel group picked up three sustainability awards at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards last year.
When: Eid Al Adha
How much: 20 per cent off Best Available Rate, including breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and 20 per cent off spa. mandarinoriental.com
Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius
Located on the east coast of Mauritius, Shangri-La Le Touessrok is a more lively take on the island Eid escape, built around long beach days, good food and plenty to do. The setting is a standout with wide stretches of white sand, clear water and access to its own private island, Îlot Mangénie, where boats run throughout the day.
Days can be as active or slow as you like, from kayaking through mangroves and snorkelling the lagoon to cycling around the resort or heading out on boat trips. There’s also a surprising amount of wildlife around the property, from giant tortoises and fruit bats to birdlife across the gardens. For those wanting to be more active, there’s a solid mix of water sports, from paddleboarding to windsurfing, as well as guided trips that go beyond the resort, from the botanical gardens to the island’s dormant volcano, which rises 605 metres above sea level.
When: Year-round
How much: Full Board in Paradise packages include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kids under the age of six get to stay, eat and play for absolutely free. shangri-la.com
Soneva (Fushi, Jani & Secret), Maldives
If there’s one brand that consistently delivers on sustainability in the Maldives, it’s Soneva. Set across three very different islands – the jungle-fringed Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, overwater-focused Soneva Jani and the ultra-private Soneva Secret – the brand is all about space, nature and doing things properly.
Days are barefoot and unstructured: cycling through forest paths, snorkelling reefs and eating well. But behind the scenes, Soneva has long been one of the more progressive operators in the region, from eliminating single-use plastics and running its own recycling and composting systems to supporting marine conservation and local community projects.
For an Eid escape, the summer offer adds a half-board upgrade and reduced rates, making it a slightly easier entry point into what is otherwise one of the Maldives’ more expensive luxury stays.
Where: Baa Atoll & Noonu Atoll, Maldives
When: 4 May – 30 September 2026
How much: Up to 20 per cent off Best Available Rate with complimentary half board. soneva.com
RAH GILI MALDIVES, Maldives
Set beside a protected dolphin sanctuary in the Indian Ocean, the recently opened RAH GILI MALDIVES makes for a compelling Eid escape. With just 74 villas spread across beach and overwater settings, it keeps things relatively low-density for the Maldives. Located in the South Malé Atoll, days here are spent snorkelling straight from the villa, enjoying long lunches in one of the resort’s six dining outlets, and having the option to do very little at all.
The sustainability side is there too, with renewable energy, coral preservation work, on-island water bottling and no single-use plastics. Being so close to one of the Maldives’ protected marine habitats as well, sightings of spinner dolphins at the jetty are common.
When: Until 30 September 2026
How much: Up to 40 per cent off stays, including transfers, Wi-Fi and snorkelling kit. rahgili.com
Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, Morocco
Found along a 700 metre quiet stretch of Morocco’s Mediterranean coast – and neighbouring the King’s palace no less – Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay makes for a polished Eid escape. The 55 villas are large and spread out, with interiors created by local artisans from hand-laid zellige tiles to woven textiles. Each villa comes with bicycles, making it easy to move between the beach, restaurants and spa without relying on buggies.
The nearly 4,000-square-foot Medi-Spa is central to the experience, with treatment rooms, hammams, a salt cave and both indoor and outdoor pools. Designed to deliver a fully personalised approach to health, it offers programmes inspired by Blue Zone principles that focus on longevity, nutrition, movement, and sleep. As for nutrition, food is taken seriously here, with each restaurant overseen by a three-Michelin-starred chef.
When: Year-round
How much: From approx. EUR 1,200+ per night. royalmansour.com
Six Senses Vana, India
Tucked in the Himalayan foothills, Six Senses Vana is a full reset. Spread across 21 acres of forest, the retreat offers guided wellness, from yoga and meditation to Ayurveda and Tibetan healing, with each stay tailored around individual goals, making it a strong option for those looking to use their Eid escape as a proper health reset.
True to the Six Senses ethos, sustainability is embedded throughout the resort. From its LEED Platinum-certified design, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and on-site composting to using essential oils as repellents to keep the forest ecosystem (from monkeys to mosquitoes) undisturbed, everything has been considered. All ingredients are seasonal, organic and locally sourced, much of it grown on-site, while the retreat’s Earth Lab and gardens focus on low-impact living and education. Meals follow a ‘grown, not flown’ approach, and their delicious, medicinal meals are even tailored to your body type and objectives.
When: Year-round (minimum 3-night stay)
How much: Includes full board, daily treatments, wellness consultation and activities. sixsenses.com
Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Félicité Island, Seychelles
Positioned on the private island of Félicité, Six Senses Zil Pasyon is about as close to untouched as it gets. With just 30 villas and most of the island left as a protected national park, it’s a rare example of low-density development in a destination often pushed to its limits.
On your Eid escape, days involve swimming in clear water, spotting turtles offshore, and moving between the jungle and the beach. Behind the scenes, there’s a strong conservation focus, from turtle monitoring programmes to ongoing work restoring native plant species and removing invasive ones. Much of the produce is grown on-site in the island’s organic garden, reducing reliance on imports and keeping menus closely tied to the island.
When: Year-round
How much: From approx. USD 2,000+ per night (villa stays)
