Nestled at the heart of Wadi Khadeja, within 500 hectares of nature reserve, Al Wadi Desert enlivens the Bedouin lifestyle and Emirati culture by offering a unique all-pool villas concept to guests. Spread across the desert landscape and surrounded by wildlife, 101 pool villas offer the most refined facilities and amenities combined with ultimate luxury touches and Bedouin-inspired décor. Guests can opt for an enclosed villa offering complete privacy, or an open pool with views over the desert landscape to watch the roaming gazelles and oryx passing by while taking a dip in the villa’s private pool.
A winner of World Travel Awards’ Middle East’s Leading Luxury Desert Resort 2019, the family-friendly resort offers immersive activities including adventure, nature discovery and the Ritz Kids programme. The young and young-at-heart can discover spectacular views and natural beauty on their doorstep as well as explore the incredible landscape through interactive activities. A daily falconry show demonstrates the importance of the hunting bird in the Bedouin culture and its training. Guests can partake in a fun Archery tournament, observe the local birdlife on a bird-watching walk while spotting animal tracks, or plant their own Ghaf tree in the Al Wadi Heritage Forest, make a lasting impact on the environment. Budding astronomers can also sign up for Stargazing, the experience allows them to learn how to identify the constellations and stars as well as catch seasonal meteor showers, among other exciting and educating Ritz Kids activities.
The resort’s very own Equestrian Center, located at the heart of the reserve, features stables and paddocks and offers professional horse-riding sessions in the dunes or the closed grounds of the center.
Curated Destination Dining takes guests’ culinary experiences to another level, with options to set-up a romantic dinner on top of a traditional Arabian watchtower overlooking the Al Wadi Nature Reserve, or organize a picnic in the dunes while enjoying the sunset over the desert.
Exclusive events, weddings or retreats reach new heights with ‘1001 lights events’, the most spectacular event display on a terrace overlooking the desert landscape, lit up by 1001 lights in the desert. The new Conference Center is also an excellent option for corporate meetings, gatherings, gala dinners and more.
For the utmost relaxation, the newly refurbished Rainforest spa offers a complete hydrothermal sanctuary combining the best of the European hydrothermal culture with Middle-Eastern bathing rituals to create a calming haven dedicated to holistic rejuvenation. The facility comprises of 16 state-of-the-art hydrothermal therapies, each designed to soothe and revitalize the body and soul. The Rainforest includes wellness facilities such as effusion showers, aroma steam, a brine cavern, bucket drench shower, grotto steam, hammam, herbal sauna, ice igloo, rain walk, sauna, sole therapy, tropical rain shower, and a vitality pool.
For bookings and reservations, visit ritzcarlton.com/alwadidesert.
