Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa Hotel

We stopped here for two nights on the way back from Mauritius – what a fantastic time we had. This hotel is perfect if you want true 5 star service from attentive professional staff with the very best facilities from this type of resort. Both our kids (4 and 7) had a great time, especially at the Al Hadheerah desert restaurant (a must if you stay here) and the 8 (yes 8!) life guards on duty allowed my wife and I to relax during the day. Camel rides and falcon flying every night added to the fun. Also fab is that they meet you at the airport and whisk you through a fast passport clearance channel and then collect your bags for you. Everywhere is a building site in Dubai (1 $trillion dollars worth of building going on at the mo!) and Bab Al Shams is expanding too – but I really hardly noticed, and I’m the first to complain about such things. The bulk of the work is now done. Highly recommended will go back.

Just returned from 5 days at Bab Al Shams and felt compelled to leave my first review for Trip Advisor. I wish I had read previous reviews as I hadn't realised the extent of the building works and coming from our own building site at home for the past 3 months I was very upset to wake to the familiar sound of workmen and diggers. Once I was over the initial shock the noise was actually not too offensive and the working area was well screened. I was amazed at the speed of work and I am quite sure that the work will be completed very soon. The hotel itself is a fabulous oasis away from the glitz and OTTness of Dubai generally. To combine a few days here of quiet reading and pondering followed by a few days back in the centre of Dubai has the makings of a great holiday. Certainly anyone wishing to 'escape' would be very happy with Bab Al Shams. The pool is lovely (will be even lovelier when the extension is completed) although the obligatory one lifeguard per few square metres of pool does make you feel that they are willing you to drown just to relieve their boredom. The food was good, but not spectacular compared to many of the better Dubai hotels, with a fairly limited menu. However, we particularly enjoyed the roof-top bar (with very yummy bar snacks) for our evening sundowners. The room was well designed and the bathroom sexy.... excellent cosy bath for two with lantern lit every evening. I'm not sure why other reviewers suggest taking a torch? It's not that bad and bright lights would certainly ruin the ambience in the middle of the desert. My biggest upset was the over-attentiveness of the staff... sounds crazy perhaps but there was a definite feeling of 'staff bonuses round the corner' or something as every time we appeared to be enjoying ourselves a member of staff would thrust a 'how did we perform' card at us to fill-in. To summarize... definitely not a place for children... far too quiet and small. A great place for total peace and quiet, if you can ignore the discreet building-work, and perfect for a romantic few days. Would I go back again?.... not if it's between a stay here or at the Chedi in Muscat....

I stayed in Dubai at the end of January for my birthday. It was the second trip back for my boyfriend and myself, so we took the chance to enjoy both the beach (stayed at Mina A Salam) followed by the desert. Although I can't fault the service at Mina A Salam, I have to say I was blown away by the incredible response we got from the staff at Bab Al Sham. Our room was lovely and they even upgraded us to half board. Yes, the new pool extension means there is banging and hammering during the day. But no more than you'd get from most of the beach hotels- Dubai seems to be in a constant state of development. And yes, the only niggle was the large amount of flies you had to swat away while sunbathing. But it didn't marr my impression of the hotel one bit. Things you HAVE to do at Bab Al Sham; 1. Go to Al Hadheerah for dinner. Their desert experience hotel was far better than the Arabian Adventures desert bashing we did last year...simply for the fact the array of food on offer was out of this world! Say hello to Boules- he's a fabulous waiter there who made our trip complete. 2. Enjoy a sheeshah at Al Sarab rooftop bar. Hany and Mark the bartenders are excellent. We've stayed all over the world, and for me, service really does make the difference. I'm now planning to go back for the heat of summer!

We travelled to Dubai for the weekend for my birthday. We stayed 3nts Fri-Monday.We had stayed a month ago at Al Qasr and in August at the Mina and also last year at Jumeirah beach club and had loved Dubai so much that my husband surprised me with a birthday getaway.We couldnt get into the Al Qasr again or the Mina so we settled for Babs as we thought it would be a different experience but offering the same luxury and friendliness of all Jumeirah properties We prebooked the transfer through the hotel 200 dirhams each way well worth it whisked through immigration avoiding long queues. Pickup was in a 4wd served with towels and water a fantastic start. We arrived at Bab al shams early hours of the morning I had previously spoken to the hotel and specifically asked for a room as far away from the building work as possible. We were shown to our room it was about 3am all looked ok but to our complete horror we awoke to the sounds of drilling banging and hammering at 7am they had put us in a room directly facing the building work in fact the best view in the house of it.lol I raced down to reception and asked them what was going on but they didnt apologise for the misunderstanding perhaps they thought in my call and email that we had wanted a view of the building work However after some strong negotiating they swiftly moved us to a quieter room. My husband had also advised them beforehand that it was my birthday but the staff at this hotel didnt wish me a happy birthday or do anything at all not that it was expected but previous stays at Dubai hotels when celebrating an occasion have been truly marvellous but I really think that there seems to be a bit of a lack of communication at this property between certain members of the staff reception and the concierge staff were pretty brusk and didnt seem as friendly and as knowledgeable as other Jumeirah hotels The bab al shams is designed like a fort and feels very authentically arabian with lots of little hideaways to relax and read but I felt it was too small and ideal for just a short time so a weekend was perfect. The rooms are comfortable with a nice bathroom but quite dark . The first morning we got a morning paper 2nd and 3rd morning we didnt 1 evening they forgot turndown service and didnt clean the room so little touches that you can expect from the Jumeirah beach properties were missing sometimes here. At the time of our stay they were finishing off the new pool it looks very nice but work had just started on the new restaurant so still not a good time to visit till March until it is completely finished. We sat around the old pool which is lovely but the downside was that there was so many flies flying around you and they were so irritating we were not sure exactly why that was as we had never seen that many flies in Dubai but I think everyone was experiencing the same problem around the pool perhaps it is because of the building work nobody was sure the next day to avoid the flies we jumped in a taxi and headed to Jumeirah beach hotel where complimentary beach access was offered heaven and no flies this could be a plus point for people who want to be away from the hustle bustle of dubai but still would like access to a beach.The breakfast buffet at Bab al shams was very nice but the room was very small especially if the restaurant is crowded during our stay it was full of groups so a tip would be to get up very early to miss the rush but there is everything you could desire on offer an excellent friendly chef who will prepare omlettes and pancakes for you. The waiting staff were also very friendly and attentive. We also visited the restaurant in the desert Al-Haedera and it was well worth a visit belly dancing singing camel rides falcon display wonderful food cooked to order eat and drink to your hearts desire soaking up the wonderful ambiance. A visit to this restaurant is a must if you stay at the Babs. Overall we had a great weekend and some fine weather for Jan with some minor hiccups but it didnt ruin our stay. I would recommend the babs for a shorter stay as it could get a tad boring after a few days. Or as a combination stay with a beach hotel. I would like to try the Al Maha instead next time as I think the echo of being Al Mahas poor little nephew rings a little true in some aspects

Stayed in Bab Al Shams January '06 and would thouroughly recommend it. Service was fantastic - from being picked up at the airport (well worth the 200 dirahms), through our entire stay. Might be best to wait until the exension is finished, although it wasn't really that intrusive whislt we were sitting at the pool. We stayed for a week and could have stayed longer. Spa was fantastic as was the Desert resturant, The Al-Haedera. Dubai has lots of construction work going on and staying in this location outwith the city, certainly gives a sense of escape - with only a short 45min taxi ride into the centre. (Taxi only cost 100dirhams) The hotel certainly gives you the impression of staying in an authentic Arabiabn fortress (whilst at the same time not becomming to "Disneyfied"), but with all the luxuries from a world class resort. Certainly a great place to get away and completely chill out. We are definately going to return to this hotel on any trip to Dubai.

Stayed here at the end of November and I have to say we had a very nice time. We stayed for 3 nights, which was enough. There's not much to do but if you just want to relax by the pool then this is the place. When we got to the hotel we got upgraded from bed and breakfast to half board, which was a bonus. Although check what this means as the man told us its breakfast and evening meal and then when we checked out they had taken the cheapest meal (lunch or dinner) and used that as the free meal. So you could go mad in the evening thinking your not paying for it - but you may well be! Hotel is very nice and so are the rooms. They light it in the evenings with torches to give an old feel to the place. Restaurants are nice - Not loads on the menu but enough for a couple of nights. We went to Al Hadeera where you get entertainment etc. Food was good but not worth the money. Pool area is nice but they are extending the pool and all you hear is them working. We just ignored it but it could be irritating for others? They have a roof top bar. It’s so nice they have these comfy sofa's with loads of bolster cushions, real open fire and the stars. Very romantic! Great hotel - best to go when pool area has been finished.

Hotel is 45 mins drive in the desert outside of Dubai , designed to look like a 2 story fort with narrow dark alleys and corridors . Rooms are comfortable with an arabic theme with loads of arabic 'antiques', make sure you get a room with a balcony . As previous reviewer wrote, take a torch , everywhere is dark including restaurants (but food is very good). We intended to stop for 3 nights BUT the new pool development has 100 workers over the fence adjoining the existing small pool with generaters , drilling and banging 10 yards from your sunbed , this finished it for me. We checked out after 1 night and negotiated a reduction for the night we stayed.The flies did not help either(not hotels fault) . To be honest 2 nights would have been sufficent even with no building works,as is obvious there is not much to do in the desert is there??

We had high expectations of the hotel but the minor building works we were promised turned out to be rather more extensive and noisy than we had assumed reducing the limited space around the pool to very little. It should be great when the new pool area is ready but the hotel does feel a little claustrophobic at times. Everywhere is very dark and we had to order the same food at lunch so that we could see what we had eaten the previous evening. The rooms are excellent (if dark) and the staff very helpful.

We had a great two days at Bab Al Shams. We arrived at sunset and the light was so lovely. The check in was a bit slow, but once we got to the rooms we were so pleased. We loved the decor, the carpets, the colors, all designed around a real Arabian theme, giving the same feeling as Jabrin or the other old forts of Oman. We had 4 kids and they enjoyed the pool, the desert, the camels and falcons. They never even made it to the kids club. Horseback riding is available from the Endurnce village, for riders. We loved having a little bit of garden for our room and this will be even better when the new pool extension is done. Especially great is the sunset on the roof, great atmosphere. The food is a bit expensive, but very high quality. Our favorite item was the mango lassi with mint by the pool. The courtyards, fountains and plants are all well designed. Housekeeping was so friendly and excellent, especially Charlotte, perfect English. The concierge was a bit brusk and her English not as good as the housekeeping staff....Anyway, I would recommend this highly over Jumeirah Beach or the Burj, both too big and boring. Bab Al Shams is worthy of the Godsons!

What can we say but AMAZING!!.. from start to finish the stay at the Bab al Shams was simply out of this world. We could not fault the staff or the service, and we received such as warm reception from them each and everytime, it was a bit overwhelming to say the least. We actually thought they had mistaken us for royalty as we could not quite get to grips with the high quality and level of service we were receving, it really was second to none, and unlike any other hotel in Dubai we had stayed in. Wereas the Hilton, Meridien Mina Sehayi, Jumeirah Beach are all very large and very impersonal hotels, if your looking for a little extra something with a personal touch, this is the place. The rooms were spacious, clean, with a real arabic rustic feel, the rainforest showers along with the musky showergels and creams were just fab. The whole vibe was very relaxed, chilled, and stress free. It was fantastic to unwind at the end of the day at the rooftop shisha bar. On a couple of occasions we asked for meals not available on the menu and the chef was always on hand and happy to oblige. During our stay it was my husbands Birthday, we were so touched at the lengths the staff had gone to, decorating the room, buying a present and card, a cake was baked and left in our room along with a bottle of expensive bubbly. What more could we ask for. This hotel may be a little out of Dubai, but it's a real little gem in the desert! If you get to read this thank you Yvette/Nadia/Danyal/Raghavan/Warren/LuLu/Rishdi/Moses/Monal