Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

Dubai Desert, Dubai

Star rating

The hotel

Set deep in Dubai’s magical dunes and desert landscapes, this luxurious hotel offers Bedouin tent-style suites with first-class facilities and individual swimming pools. It has won numerous awards for its conservation and commitment to its surrounding environment, and guests are given the chance to try traditional activities such as camel trekking, dune drives, horse riding, falconry, archery and guided nature walks to view the stark, beautiful scenery. View the endemic wildlife from the lounge’s outdoor decking while enjoying a cool drink, or simply enjoy a treatment in the state-of-the-art spa.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa

Where is it

Set in 225 km of pristine desert landscape, within an award-winning conservation area. Transfer time from Dubai International Airport: 45 minutes.

Hotel information

42 bedouin-inspired suites, each decorated and furnished in a wonderfully traditional style with quirky touches including authentic regional antiques, and local artefacts. Suites are spacious with air-conditioning, satellite TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar*, safe, custom-made king-size beds or twin beds, seating area overlooking the views, roomy bathrooms with walk-in showers, king-size baths and 'his and hers' vanity area. Best of all for absorbing the desert tranquillity and inspirational landscape are the private outdoor decks with deck chairs and temperature controlled pool. Bedouin Suites sleep maximum 3 adults. Full Board includes: breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive of still water, tea and coffee) at Al Diwaan.

Royal Suites have a private temperature-controlled pool surrounded by a wooden deck, handcrafted furnishings, antiques and artefacts, 2 large bedrooms, custom-made super king-size beds and twin beds, spacious bathrooms featuring a walk-in shower, king-size bath, a 'his and hers' vanity area, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Emirate Suites have a large temperature-controlled pool surrounded by a wooden deck, spacious lounge with dining facilities, residential quarters for guests' private staff (housekeeper, security or chef), spacious courtyard, roomy kitchen, a bottle of champagne and fruit basket on arrival, and a complimentary private deck dining or dune picnic experience per booking per stay, sleeping maximum 5 adults.

Presidential Suites have a large 10x8 meter temperature-controlled pool surrounded by a wooden deck, 3 large bedrooms, 1 with custom-made super king-size bed and 2 with twin beds, extensive kitchen, mini-bar*, champagne and fruits on arrival, private activities including camel trek and sundowners and a complimentary private deck dining and desert picnic experience per booking per stay, sleeping maximum 7 adults.

Larger Royal, Emirates and Presidential Suites with added facilities are available on request.

Al Diwaan restaurant with al fresco veranda. Private dune dinner* (experience for 2 adults). Floating breakfast experience*.

Two  included activities per person per night stay featuring: falconry, archery, wildlife drive, camel trekking, sundowner, nature walk. Horse riding*. Dune drive*. Timeless Spa*.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: Al Maha welcomes guests 10 years old and above.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2015)
  • Very good (136)
  • Average (34)
  • Poor (14)
  • Terrible (23)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The best resort ever

Jun 8, 2025 grzechotnik

We came back to this mesmerizing resort after previous stunning experiences. This time we added another breathtaking experience strongly recommend ride on high dune bashing; this time our guide was Dushan! There was nothing short experience & excitement in his mindful driving! He is very attentive & knowledgeable, he also took us to see wild… Read more
We came back to this mesmerizing resort after previous stunning experiences. This time we added another breathtaking experience strongly recommend ride on high dune bashing; this time our guide was Dushan! There was nothing short experience & excitement in his mindful driving! He is very attentive & knowledgeable, he also took us to see wild camels & share all knowledge about them; not only on time for all adventures that included evening camels' ride Sunset experience he made sure we are not missing any activity & experience. He was our man with all activities we took advantage of. We must recognize the best ever Chef Piotr who shared with us once again his culinary masterpieces out of this world in every aspect(!) from ingredients to presentation experience! Each dish was crafted with labour of love & mouthwatering experience! Those portion are way to big at least for us & we had to ask for smaller one - still big! We would like to recognize few staff members who served us during our staying as follow: Anjul always cheerful & attentive to serve & recommend interesting meal to try as part of menu experience, Athul the Supervisor was greeting us with smile & made sure all was provided to us smoothly; Frankly all staff at Al Maha has beautiful smile! Lorine always provided us before each with fantastic cool facial towel soaked with mint & eucalyptus, so refreshing smell; Cho Cho always made sure that our table was ready & we get mineral water on, very attentive, The F & B manager, Prakash always made sure that all service & each meal is delivered promptly & explained ingredients, he made sure that everything is in order in relaxing atmosphere on thr floor & at our table. We were overwhelmed with such royal treatment experience. We have to plan soon our next visit there! The housekeeping manager, Iliango, is the most senior in this resort & his service was impeccable to make sure that everything in our villa is perfect each & every day. Under his supervision the operation was smooth & nothing short of anything you van ask for. If you ever need any service from his department you can be absolutely sure that is taken care of to the highest level & I mean it !! The manager of operation Irfan is extremely dynamic professional who takes his role extremely serious & makes sure that our stay was nothing short of any experience Al Maha can offer. Enthusiastic energetic professional with impeccable social skills to run such operation. We were extremely impressed with Irfan in every aspect! He was definitely our man. His administration staff was attentive & made sure we are getting meal & activity on time. Winnie always made sure we will nor miss 5:30 am Falcons experience & our favorite owl Oscar encounters! Maria, the store manager has bubbling personality & excellent skills to run this operation & administration one. Very energetic & professional! We were pleased with Maria's service We are so grateful for each staff we interacted during our staying & sincerely apologize for not mentioning their names in this observation. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent desert stay

May 28, 2025 601angelat Cambridge, United Kingdom

A really fantastic, luxurious stay, especially as we were upgraded (thank you Al Maha)! Superb food and excellent provision for dietary requirements (vegan & vegetarian). The staff couldn’t have been more helpful - special thanks to Atul, Anold, Anjul & Stephen. Huge range of activities, some included some extra - the rangers, particularly Anais,… Read more
A really fantastic, luxurious stay, especially as we were upgraded (thank you Al Maha)! Superb food and excellent provision for dietary requirements (vegan & vegetarian). The staff couldn’t have been more helpful - special thanks to Atul, Anold, Anjul & Stephen. Huge range of activities, some included some extra - the rangers, particularly Anais, were so knowledgeable and inspiring. Set in a conservation area, you’ll love the wildlife and pristine dunes. Do the sundowner experience and camel ride back for a fun way to end the day! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Unforgettable experience! Don't hesitate to book!

May 24, 2025 TexasTammy Fredericksburg, Texas

We absolutely LOVED the Al Maha even though we went at a not so great month. October through April is when you should go apparently so double check the weather. By 9-10 in the morning it was really too hot to go outside until about 8pm. BUT the mornings were beautiful and sun is up just after 5am so not a huge deal to us The AC in our cottage… Read more
We absolutely LOVED the Al Maha even though we went at a not so great month. October through April is when you should go apparently so double check the weather. By 9-10 in the morning it was really too hot to go outside until about 8pm. BUT the mornings were beautiful and sun is up just after 5am so not a huge deal to us The AC in our cottage (#14) was excellent and our pool area was wonderful. I don't know HOW big that king bed was but it was WAY bigger than a normal king! The entire staff was amazing and the food was out of this world. We booked with points and our stay was all inclusive other than alcohol. It even included two activities per day. I can't recommend it more. FABULOUS place! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating what a pleasure to discover this place

Apr 20, 2025 54ferdinandg Wien

what a wonderful location for a family reunion. Excellent food, perfect sized bungalow with privat pool in the middle of a 240 km2 desert reserve. Anaïs was an amazing and competent field guide showing us around pointing to many animals, only a guid can detect. Thank you.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Perfect stay in a heavenly place with service that goes above and beyond!

Apr 14, 2025 Geraldine N Antwerp, Belgium

We (my 16year old daughter and myself) just returned from a 4-day stay at Al Maha (April). This hotel really is a favorite. The villas are perfect (we had nr 17): enormous bed, comfortable couches, windows letting the amazing view, a huge bathtub and strong shower and the plushest and softest towels we have ever seen. The private pool boasts… Read more
We (my 16year old daughter and myself) just returned from a 4-day stay at Al Maha (April). This hotel really is a favorite. The villas are perfect (we had nr 17): enormous bed, comfortable couches, windows letting the amazing view, a huge bathtub and strong shower and the plushest and softest towels we have ever seen. The private pool boasts beautiful views of the desert and the Oryx and the gazelles walk by your pool nibbling from the surrounding bushes that ensure your privacy. Peace and quiet and beautiful scenery wherever you go. We enjoyed the camel ride to see the sunset, the archery, the nature drive and horseback riding. The only thing that surpasses the beauty of this place is the kindness and smile of the people that work here. A warm welcome by Moika on day one; extreme kindness and humor of Michael (thank you for the archery lessons and organizing a room for our daughter to study the day of our departure), the smile of the gentlemen who did our room and above all Prakash and his team at the restaurant. The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the cocktails divine (we especially loved the lemon mint cooler and tropical wave). I will not name a few of his staff as I do not remember everyone's name, but each one brought hospitality and service to the next level. We also loved the fresh scented towels before every meal. Thank you for a perfect stay in a perfect place. We can't wait to be back. Read less