Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa Hotel

This 'hotel/resort' is based out in the desert, some 40km from Dubai city centre. Built just like a sand fortress, it stands commanding the landscape and dominating the horizon, with a long candle-lit driveway leading to a large domed entrance. Upon entry through the gated dome, you are met with an amazing original Arabic enclosure. My breath was taken away.
But let's start at the pick-up at the airport. We were met by a driver in an air-conditioned 4x4 who knew our names exactly.
We were given chilled bottles of water and chilled wet flannels to refresh ourselves after a long flight. Bliss! He then drove us to the resort, pointing out considered areas of interest for our time in Dubai.
Through the domed entrance upon arrival at the resort, the driver takes our bags and leads us to reception where we are met with a very warm welcome and by staff who referred to us by first names as though we had already met! Wonderful. Check-in was prompt and we were taken to our room by the concierge who pointed out all the necessary directions of all the facilities.
When we entered the room, we both gasped. It was absolutely incredible. I have never seen such beautiful, original decor with a bed that was enormous!! The rooms are all decorated with delightful Arabic ornaments and rugs, and I spend most of my time gathering amazing decorating ideas from every area of the hotel. (now how often do you really consider copying hotel decor? but really it is that beautiful!).
Lamps, rugs, wall-hangings and bathrooms with sunken huge baths, rain showers, the works. It feels to the staying guest as though you are invited to stay at a private palace!!
The staff are a credit to the resort, often stopping to just chat away, not forced or pretentious, always very friendly and polite and most speak several languages, very impressive. The food - wow - I can't describe it - go there and taste it for yourself, tremendous. Spa treatments, splash and swimming pools, and even friendly camels walking freely by and all surrounded by masses of tranquil desert, not a shop or car/bus in sight.
There is also a fully equipped gym for those who may get tired of all the pampering ( oh, please ) and a very cosy bar lounge for that perfect champagne cocktail or two after a hard day sun worshipping. The hotel will gladly provide a private car to take you the Dubai centre for a shopping extravaganza or guests of this particular resort are able to visit the Burj Al Arab Hotel, famous for its unusual structure and 7 star potential rating ( they are sister resorts).
All in all, a wonderful holiday. Peace, quiet, BLISS !!!!