The United Arab Emirates are known for extreme flash and cash. Arabic structures dripping in gold, indoor ski slopes and mega shopping centers with the most powerful AC systems on earth are abundant here. But what about endangered terrestrial wildlife, sea turtles and outdoor adventure escapism? Now, this is a side of the Middle East desert few have experienced.
On the little-known island of Sir Bani Yas, the resort has Arabian Gulf views at every turn.A far cry from the ostentation of Dubai and the austerity of mainland Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is a verdant oasis where consumerism and overdevelopment don’t take center stage. What does is the vast variety of wildlife that roams the island, and the stunning 64-unit Anantara Desert Islands Resort, which graces the island’s north shore.
As is the case in most upscale hotels in the UAE, Anatara Desert Islands Resort & Spa is over-the-top beautiful, with indigenous fabrics and original artwork prominently displayed in the rooms, decadent oversize marble bathrooms and breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea at every possible turn. The infinity pool is likely to become your best friend during your stay, especially if you dare to venture here in the dead of summer, as I did. And if you go wild for the mountain-biking, kayaking and hiking opportunities offered by the resort, the spa will surely become your second-best friend.
Amazing accommodations notwithstanding, the principal reason to venture out to the Desert Islands is to see the birds and wildlife. Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, urial sheep, barbary sheep and many kinds of extraordinary marine life all call the desert home. African animals and other exotic creatures have been added to the desert mix (such as cheetahs and giraffes), which has made the place feel a bit like an Orlando-esque Arid Animal Kingdom. Nevertheless, the island has repopulated native species near extinction and helped reintroduce them into the greater wild, playing a vital role in international conservation.
