Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A luxury desert resort has opened in Oman hoping to entice families from Bahrain looking for a unique short-break adventure in the sunshine and sand.
Located in the legendary Wadi Al Rabiyad, known for its uninterrupted rolling sand desert, this stunning destination features 30 ‘ultra-luxury tents’ with 50 rooms.
The resort experience also offers an impressive range of exclusive treatments and activities for all ages.
It includes a Sand Spa promising to re-energise skin and invigorate the minds of guests, a 9-hole bunker golf course alongside dune-bashing quad biking, camel riding, as well as kite-making and flying fun.
On top of that, Dunes by Al Nahda, offers the most stunning views over the surrounding undulating landscape and mountains in the distance.
GulfWeekly was among a select gathering of regional publications invited to the soft opening of the enterprise, located around an hour’s drive from Muscat.
Although its highway most of the way, with further major road works linking the area with Dubai currently under construction, the off-road theme gets a little tasty with a rough 3km stretch of road leading to the gates.
There is nothing rough about the accommodation, however. Tent-like in appearance, the buildings are solidly-constructed and feature amazing bedrooms, stunning en-suite bathrooms with sunken tubs, separate seating areas, large flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi connection and individually-controlled air-conditioning for the ultimate in creature comforts.
There are three types of ‘tents’ starting with the Luxury version – a single, free-standing structure with 39sq/m of total floor space, Suite – two-tent accommodation, each with its own door and a shared entrance measuring 84sq/m total floor space and the Royal – described as ‘the ultimate’ boasting accommodation with 138sq/m of total floor space for the larger family group.
Each has a complementary first mini-bar … now that’s got to be a first in the hospitality sector!
From the moment guests arrive they will realise they are in for something completely different, the check-in reception is ‘open air’ for starters as is the bar and all-day-dining restaurant.
There’s Omani and Western-styled seating, providing an incomparable setting for meals with a view of the surrounding dunes and nature – al fresco dining at its natural best!
The launch ceremony featured dancers, fire-eaters and sky lanterns floating into the sky … but nothing was more mesmerising than the view.
It will be fascinating to later check out the attractions as they are unveiled in the days to come when the golf course, spa and children’s play area come fully online in the wake of the soft opening.
There are some limited tempting visitor offers available, such as a family stay for two nights for the price of one, or a one night ‘full board package’ with breakfast, lunch and dinner, at the same price of around BD195++. Terms and conditions apply, including age restrictions, and the stay has to be taken before the end of October.
Email stay@dunesbyalnahda.com for more details.
