The pool of the Qasr Al Sarab desert resort with dunes behind

Where to Stay

Sleep among the dunes, or pick a city or Yas Island base inside the pickup zone.

There are two ways to do the desert from Abu Dhabi. You can stay in the city or on Yas Island and let a safari collect you for half a day — or you can go and sleep in the dunes, where the sunset, the stars and the sunrise are all outside your door.

We have grouped the options into desert resorts, from a village-style resort under an hour from the city to a fort deep in the Empty Quarter; city hotels well placed for pickups and sightseeing; and Yas Island, for families who want the theme parks as well.

Every link goes to Trip.com for live prices and availability. We do not print nightly rates, star ratings or guest scores here, because they change and we could not verify them all — check them on the booking page.

Where to stay

Desert resorts

From closest to furthest: Al Wathba (under an hour), Arabian Nights Village in the safari dunes, Telal near Al Ain, and the big-dune country of Al Dhafra and Liwa, two to three hours away. Resorts run their own desert activities.

Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort

The fortress-style Anantara resort deep in the Liwa desert, ringed by towering dunes of the Empty Quarter. Expensive, remote and the most memorable desert stay in the emirate.

Dune views from rooms and pool
Desert activities run from the hotel
About 2–2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi

See rates & availability

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

A low-rise, village-style luxury resort in the Al Wathba desert — real dunes at the door, yet under an hour from the city and the airport. The easy option for a desert night.

Closest luxury desert resort to the city
Large pools and spa
Good for a one-night add-on

See rates & availability

Arabian Nights Village

A themed desert camp-resort among the Al Khatim dunes with accommodation styled as Bedouin tents, palm houses and fort towers. Rustic rather than polished, with safari activities on site.

In the main safari desert
Camp atmosphere and activities
Fully off-grid feel

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Telal Resort Al Ain

A quiet resort of villas and rooms in the Remah desert outside Al Ain, set within its own reserve. Works well combined with Al Ain Oasis and Jebel Hafeet.

Private-villa options
Pairs with an Al Ain visit
Peaceful, family-friendly

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Aldhafra Resort, Vignette Collection

A fort-style desert hotel near Madinat Zayed, on the way to Liwa. A more affordable route into the big-dune country of Al Dhafra than the headline resort.

Desert setting with pool
Convenient stop on the Liwa road
Lower rates than Qasr Al Sarab

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Liwa Hotel

A long-established, plain but practical hotel on a hill above the oasis town of Mezairaa — the practical base for Moreeb Dune and for the Liwa festival.

In Liwa itself
Closest hotel base for Moreeb Dune
Simple and good value

See rates & availability

See Al Dhafra desert hotels See Al Ain hotels

Abu Dhabi city hotels

Inside the pickup zone of virtually every safari. The mainland side near the Grand Mosque gives the quickest start for the desert; the Corniche and Saadiyat are better for beaches and museums.

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s palace hotel at the western end of the Corniche: gold-leaf domes, a private beach and gardens, next to Qasr Al Watan.

Landmark luxury on the Corniche
Private beach
Beside the presidential palace

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Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

A waterside resort hotel on the mainland side facing the Grand Mosque across the creek — well placed for the mosque, the airport and the highway out to the desert.

Grand Mosque views
Quick start for safari pickups
Pools and a small souk

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Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas

A beach resort on Saadiyat Island, a few minutes from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with a long natural beach and a calm, grown-up feel.

Saadiyat beach
Near the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Check pickup cover for Saadiyat

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Southern Sun Abu Dhabi

A dependable mid-range city hotel in the Al Zahiyah district, with a rooftop pool and easy access to downtown pickups.

Central city location
Rooftop pool
Sensible mid-range rates

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Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre

A no-frills budget hotel beside the exhibition centre on the mainland side of the island — functional rooms and a short drive to the Grand Mosque.

Budget rates
Close to the Grand Mosque
Easy highway access

See rates & availability

See all Abu Dhabi hotels

Yas Island hotels

Ten minutes from the airport and surrounded by Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld. Most safari operators pick up here — confirm on the listing.

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

The hotel built over the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, with bold design and track views — the statement address on Yas Island.

Straddles the F1 circuit
Walk or shuttle to the parks
About 10 minutes from the airport

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Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

A large, modern resort hotel on Yas Bay with a beach-style pool area, close to the island’s dining waterfront and theme parks.

Yas Bay waterfront
Family pools
Close to all Yas parks

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The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Warner Bros.-themed hotel next door to Warner Bros. World — a fun family base with film and cartoon touches throughout.

Beside Warner Bros. World
Made for families
Rooftop pool

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Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island

A solid, good-value four-star on Yas Plaza beside the golf course, a short shuttle from the theme parks.

Often the best-value Yas option
Near the golf links
Shuttle to parks

See rates & availability

See Abu Dhabi & Yas hotels

Which base suits you?

Base	Good for	Less good for	Price level
Al Wathba desert	A desert night without a long drive; spa and pools	The very biggest dunes	€€€–€€€€
Al Khatim (Arabian Nights Village)	Camp atmosphere in the safari desert; activities on site	Polished luxury	€€–€€€
Liwa & Qasr Al Sarab	Empty Quarter scenery, sunrise and stars, real remoteness	Short stays; city sightseeing	€€–€€€€
Al Ain desert (Telal)	Quiet villas; combining with the oasis and Jebel Hafeet	Abu Dhabi city sights	€€€
Abu Dhabi city	Safari pickups, Grand Mosque, Louvre, restaurants	A sense of the desert	€–€€€€
Yas Island	Families, theme parks, airport access	Walking the old city centre	€€–€€€

Desert resort or safari — or both?

A safari is the efficient choice: for a modest price you get the dune drive, the sunset and a lively evening, and you are back in your own bed. A resort night costs far more but buys what the safari cannot — silence after the coaches have gone, the stars, and sunrise on empty sand.

Many visitors do both: a shared evening safari early in the trip, then one night in the desert at the end. If you can only do one and the budget allows, the resort night is the one people remember.

Practical notes

Seasons. Rates are highest from November to March and around holidays, and fall steeply in summer.
Transfers. Desert resorts are reached by ordinary roads; you do not need a 4x4. Ask the resort about transfers if you are not driving.
Activities. Resort dune drives carry the same cautions as any other — see the safety page.
Pickup zones. If you book a city-based safari, check that your hotel is covered: pickup zones.
Tourism fees. Hotel bills in Abu Dhabi include municipality and tourism fees and service charge on top of the room rate; the booking page shows the total.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. We may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you. Properties are chosen for location and style; we have not been paid to include any of them.

Plan your desert day

Red dunes at sunset, about an hour from the city

Most Abu Dhabi safaris include hotel pickup, dune bashing, sandboarding and a camel ride, and the evening ones add a BBQ dinner and shows. Compare the options and book in a couple of taps.

Browse desert safaris Compare all safaris

Good to know

Accommodation questions

Frequently asked questions

Which desert resort is closest to Abu Dhabi?

The Al Wathba desert resort is the nearest luxury option, under an hour from the city and the airport. Arabian Nights Village, in the Al Khatim dunes, is further — allow around an hour and a half.

Is Qasr Al Sarab worth the drive?

For the scenery, yes — nothing nearer the city compares with the dunes of the Empty Quarter. Stay two nights if you can. See our Qasr Al Sarab guide.

Where should I stay for the Liwa festival?

In or near Mezairaa — the Liwa Hotel is the long-standing option — or camp at the festival site. Rooms go early for festival dates.

Do safaris pick up from Yas Island and Saadiyat?

Yas Island is covered by most operators. Saadiyat is covered by many, sometimes with a surcharge. Always confirm on the listing.

Can I stay in the desert with young children?

Yes. Resorts are a calmer way for families with babies and toddlers to see the dunes than a safari with dune bashing, and several offer family villas.