Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Desert Islands Resort: Historic royal palace retreat on Sir Bani Yas Island overlooking the Arabian Gulf with The Palm dining and Anantara Spa

Commanding a majestic coastal position overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Desert Islands Resort & Spa opened in 2008 within a historic royal retreat originally built for the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The 64-room grand resort is the flagship property of the 87-square-kilometre royal nature reserve (home to over 17,000 free-roaming Arabian oryx, cheetahs, giraffes, and gazelles). Featuring the expansive freeform infinity swimming pool, the fine dining Arabic restaurant The Palm, the seafood grill Samak, the holistic full-service Anantara Spa, and the island’s central activities center, Desert Islands is the Arabian Gulf’s ultimate eco-palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to grand Emirati royal hospitality: guests arrive by private water taxi across the gulf, greeted in the palatial lobby beside carved Arabesque archways with chilled mint lemonade, fresh local dates, and Arabian oud incense. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Sir Bani Yas Island wildlife, cultural, and outdoor pursuits: embarking on master-guided 4x4 Nature & Wildlife Drives through the Arabian Wildlife Park to track cheetahs and oryx, visiting the historic 7th-century Christian monastery archaeological site on the island, kayaking through mangrove channels, horseback riding at the Sir Bani Yas Stables, swimming in the panoramic infinity pool overlooking the gulf, indulging in hammam treatments at Anantara Spa, and reserving dinner at The Palm or Samak.

Palace living balances safari exploration with restorative Arabian wellness: the Anantara Spa features private treatment suites overlooking the gulf, an authentic Turkish hammam, steam rooms, saunas, and therapies utilizing local dates, frankincense, and Dead Sea mineral salts. Dining is extraordinary: refined Middle Eastern and international gastronomy at The Palm, fresh catch-of-the-day seafood at Samak, and sunset cocktails at the Al Shams lounge.

Accommodations comprise 64 rooms, suites, and private private pool villas ranging from 52 to 200 square metres. Each residence features traditional Arabesque textiles, carved wooden headboards, private balconies with panoramic Arabian Gulf views, plush king beds, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs and walk-in rain showers.

Wildlife purists, history buffs, and luxury travelers seeking Sheikh Zayed’s royal palace heritage, 17,000 free-roaming animals, and Anantara Spa wellness in Abu Dhabi should book Desert Islands Resort without hesitation. Travelers seeking generic modern airport hotels should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 2,800 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across 3,200 reviews.