A wild weekend getaway in Abu Dhabi
Picture yourself opening the backdoor of your resort, a little pool in the open backyard that overlooks a forest, dozens of peacocks passing your patio unbothered by your presence there, herds of baby deers with their mama deers playing peek-a-boo with the glimmers of the sun falling on the ground from in-between the trees.
This piece of secret paradise does exist! And it is at the Al Sahel Villa Resort by Anantara in Sir Bani Yes Island, Abu Dhabi. This one of a kind experience in the whole of UAE will surpass all your romantic getaways you have had here.
Al Sahel is one of the greatest luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi that allows you to immerse yourself in the splendor of nature. It has just 30 villas scattered among verdant savannah. A wild gazelle greets you when you wake up.The protected reserve known as Sir Bani Yas Island was established by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and it is located nearby Abu Dhabi. Home to a variety of untamed fauna, such as the almost extinct Arabian Oryx, the island provides a unique haven from the outside world.
As you enter the expansive resort premises, you witness dozens of gazelles on both sides along the greens that border along the two sides as the property ride takes you to the main entrance. The entire premise of Al Sahel is created along a savannah hence the backyard of its villas open into the lushness of the nature.
For dining they have an all day African dining home restaurant called Savannah Grill & Lounge, that has indoors as well as a beautiful outdoors along the forest sitting. Be warned that if you start feeding the peacocks who wont be giving you any privacy, well then they will pretty much not leave you alone. But we did not mind that as there was enough bread on the table.
However, if this cuisine is not your preferred, they do have an Italian restaurant called Olio, a seafood restaurant called Amwaj, two middle eastern & International restaurants The Palm and Al Shams in the adjacent two properties by Anantara. They are all interconnected and the common buggies take you around everywhere and are free to book from the hotel reception.
When staying at Al Sahel you must book the resort activities from the activities calendar that is provided for the week, and Animal Island Safari, Mountain Bike, Kayaking, Stand up Paddle Boarding, Snorkeling, Dune Riding and History walk.
The resident Spa center is located a short little buggy drive away in the adjacent resort and had a very disconnected and Zen ambience to it and have a variety of single and couple room massages. I would highly suggest the Desert Island Romance Massage that uses an exotic smelling Arabian rose oil, the fragrance of which keeps lingering on even after you shower.
Take not less that two nights with you and treat yourself to a journey across a wildlife sanctuary’s resort experience at the Al Sahel Resort Villas by Anantara.
For more details, visit their website https://www.anantara.com/en/al-sahel-sir-bani-yas
