A new mountain retreat is opening in Hatta this month, giving guests an opportunity to swap Dubai’s towers and traffic for hiking trails, clear night skies and mornings overlooking the Hatta Dam.
Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas, set within Hatta Resorts, is the hospitality brand’s first property in the UAE. Featuring 50 bespoke Airstream caravans, divided between 13 Ridge Caravans and 37 Peak Caravans, guests can expect views across the lake and surrounding valley.
Each caravan comes with a queen-sized bed, bathroom, pantry, dining area, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning, plus a private wooden deck for taking in the views. A luxurious swap from normal camping after a day of hiking and outdoor activities.
Inside the American Airstream, you can expect soft, earthy interiors inspired by the mountains. Sand, terracotta, clay, and stone tones pair with natural linen, raw wood, woven rattan, and handcrafted furnishings. All offer a subtle nod to the UAE’s nomadic heritage without turning the caravans into themed spaces.
In-room amenities by homegrown brand Dastaangoi reinforce the retreat’s emphasis on regional suppliers throughout the stay.
Mountain days and desert skies
Adventure is a central part of the stay with guests able to hit the Hajar Mountains along Hatta’s hiking and biking trails or take to the dam for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Back at the retreat, guests can enjoy a communal infinity pool overlooking the mountains, while an Observatory Deck makes the most of Hatta’s sunset and sunrise skies. And thanks to being a good distance from the glare of central Dubai, evenings can be spent stargazing (rather than scrolling).
The programme also includes Arabic coffee programmes, movie nights, sound-healing sessions and guided wellness practices. Workshops and special events will bring visiting makers, storytellers, and creatives to the retreat, helping guests connect with the landscape and local culture.
For those looking for a slower stay, Thuraya Wellness offers yoga, meditation and holistic treatments inspired by the stillness of the mountains. Its facilities include a barrel sauna, outdoor cold plunge and hot tub.
Dinner beneath the open sky
Food is served at Madar, Arabic for ‘orbit’, a communal dining space centred on gathering beneath the open sky. Developed with Paris Society Consulting, the restaurant draws on Emirati influences and flavours from across the region. Fresh local ingredients are prepared using open-fire and underground cooking techniques, with relaxed poolside dining and live barbecue evenings offering more informal alternatives.
It is intended to be a social experience rather than simply somewhere to eat: a place for guests to come together at the end of the day and share food against the mountain backdrop.
‘Hatta is a destination with a character and rhythm entirely its own,’ explains Yasmin Huneidi, General Manager of Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas.
‘With Caravan Hatta, we want to build on that distinctive spirit and position the destination as a place to reconnect, unwind and explore a different side of the UAE.’
Hatta has steadily grown into one of the UAE’s most appealing outdoor destinations during the cooler months. Its dramatic peaks, walking routes and calm blue reservoir are far removed from Dubai, despite being within easy reach of the city.
Caravan Hatta adds a beautifully designed place to stay for travellers who want to access the landscape without giving up hotel comforts. It also brings Our Habitas’ ‘Luxury for the Soul’ concept to the UAE, following the success of Our Habitas AlUla, in Saudi Arabia.
Rates at Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas start from AED 1,200 per night.
