Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara

Location: Al Ruwais, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, AE

Star Rating: 9 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Instructions: Guests must transfer via boat to the property. Guests must contact the property at least 24 hours before travel, using the contact information on the confirmation received after booking. This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. Guests are required to download the property's AL HOSN UAE mobile app before check-in. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation. This property is located on an island approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) off the coast of Abu Dhabi, accessible only by boat. Guests must contact the resort 1 day in advance to arrange transportation from Jebel Dhanna Jetty (20 minutes away by boat). Daily departure from Jebel Dhanna Jetty to Sir Bani Yas Island: noon, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 11 PM. Daily departure from Sir Bani Yas Island: 9 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, and 8 PM. Please note that the boat transfers are subject to availability, weather conditions, and clearance from Abu Dhabi Ports Authority. This property provides ground transportation to and from the island boat station, as well as transportation around the island (included in the resort fee). All guests are required to present a valid government-issued ID card at check-in. A valid passport with UAE entry stamp, UAE Emirates ID, and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) ID are accepted. Guests are required to have the AL HOSN UAE App installed on their mobile devices. Guests may be requested by the property to provide documentation of recent travel history (such as showing passport immigration stamps) and/or complete a health declaration.

Amenities & Facilities

• Meeting rooms
• Full-service spa
• Boat tours nearby
• Fitness facilities
• Express check-out
• Arcade/game room
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Terrace
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Designated smoking area
• Concierge service
• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Fitness facilities
• Supervised childcare/activities
• ATM/banking
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Conference space
• Golfing nearby
• Snorkeling nearby
• Hiking/biking trails nearby
• Kayaking nearby
• Breakfast available (surcharge)
• Arcade/game room
• Library
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Multilingual staff
• Free newspapers in lobby
• Porter/bellhop
• Express check-out
• Limo or town car service available
• On private beach
• Full-service spa
• Meeting rooms
• Wedding services
• Express check-in
• Pool umbrellas
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Conference center
• Snack bar/deli
• Mountain biking on site
• Playground on site
• Free self parking
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Free pool cabanas
• Pool sun loungers
• 24-hour fitness facilities
• Boat tours nearby
• Safari nearby
• Hunting on site
• Reception hall
• Garage
• Lifeguard on site
• Well-lit path to entrance

Rooms Available

• Premier Room, Sea View

  1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

  560-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with sea views

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

• One-Bedroom Anantara Villa

  1 King Bed

  1292-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with beach views

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Relax - Private plunge pool

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Private plunge pool
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

• Anantara Suite

  1 King Bed

  861-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with sea views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

• Two Bedroom Anantara Pool Villa

  1 King Bed and 1 Large Twin Bed

  2153-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with beach views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms and sitting area

  Relax - Private plunge pool

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 6 (5 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Private plunge pool
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

• Deluxe Room, Sea View

  1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

  560-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with sea views

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

• Deluxe Room, Garden View

  1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

  560-sq-foot soundproofed room, balcony/patio with garden views

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television, premium channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), 24-hour room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Espresso maker
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Restaurant dining guide

Guest Reviews

• 484jeanphilippeb (6/5): Mixed feeling - not what it used to be… - The location is quite unique (island) , the staff is very nice. The F&B offer is extremely expensive for what it is... a shawarma for 130 aed? the shrimp tacos at more than 100 aed was pretty much tasteless. A Shicha for 160aed.... chicken burger for more than 100 aed and was also nothing wow... This is my 3rd stay in this property and I can see that no maintenance has been done for a long time - all signages outside of the hotel are not readable anymore, garden is not well maintained, etc etc. This is not a 5 star hotel anymore. The staff is amazing but your hotel is understaffed...
• 842anish (4/5): Didn't meet my expectation - The hotel did not meet the level of luxury expected for the nightly rate charged. The refrigerator was not functioning, and several light bulbs required replacement. The waiting area lacked basic snacks, despite the nearest restaurant being approximately 30 minutes away in Ruwais. During departure, there was no water available in the waiting room. Additionally, the food quality at both Palm and Al Shams did not meet expectations, with Al Shams being notably overpriced for the offering provided.
• ole4katkova (10/5): Truly Personal Island Escape - From the very first moment, we were welcomed with the utmost respect and genuine warmth. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive. Special thanks to Sahan and David at reception — they remembered our names, which made the entire experience feel truly personal and thoughtful. They were always ready to help, give recommendations, and make sure everything was perfect. Staying here felt like a truly unique experience — being surrounded by nature on a remote island, away from the noise, yet with an incredible level of comfort and care. It was an unforgettable stay, and we would happily return.
• Paradise53344955979 (10/5): The best resort experience, an island away. - This stay had been the best resort across Uae, the ambience, the aesthetics, nature, food, everything is top notch. Will revisit the place again.
• safikutty2026 (4/5): Poor experience - Food and its price We were highly charged for the dinner with very very limited options. Doesn’t worth what we pay for
• ranjangeitdoon (2/5): Not a very good experience - The ferry timings were not shared so we had to wait for 4 hours for it and the food menu was same all day in all restroom, no buffet, no Asian kind food..slow restro service hence cold food and coffee was served in Palms restr both days in breakfast
• kirankumar1811 (10/5): Exceptional hospitality - The overall experience with the resort and its location and service of the staff is expectional. Definitely a must visit place for all families with kids and a total peace of mind.
• mkbutt111 (10/5): Exceptional and Memorable - Exceptional stay with top notch hospitality. The staff was extremely courteous and hospitable specially Harish and Sahan, both were extremely cordial and went above and beyond to facilitate us. Jonhatan made our Safri ride informative n engaging. Food options were limited and overpriced. The only improvement that needs to be made is regarding variation in menu and prices need to be a bit more affordable.
• stefaniadA8324LI (10/5): A SHORT BUT LOVELY STAY - We stayed at Desert Islands Resort for one night from 11–12 November. Although our stay was short, it was absolutely lovely. All of the staff were friendly and helpful, with a special mention to Sasandi, who checked us in and immediately made us feel right at home. The room was spacious and comfortable, and breakfast the following morning was excellent, with a great selection. The chefs kept the buffet well stocked and spotless, making for a very pleasant dining experience. We would also like to thank Gerard for driving us between the resorts and back to the ferry terminal. Thank you for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
• liahshonhe (10/5): Great Experience ever - I had a great experience at Anantara, The room are spacious and super clean. From the outside you get a palace view. The staff are friendly, great reception, great meals and lots of guided activities. Tried horse riding for the first time.
• nabilderrough (10/5): Experience the nature - If you want to change from the urban stress, try some days surrounded by a quiet nature. Desert Islands a place to try.
• dmI3559XT (10/5): Dewi truly made my experience unforgettable - Amazing experience thanks to Dewi! She was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and made the whole process smooth and fun. Truly one of the highlights of our trip!
• mariellegracet (10/5): An amazing Experience - We had only 1 night to stay at the hotel and the staff were amazing! Staff were friendly and efficient at all times. They made sure everything is comfortable for us. No waiting time upon check in and during check out. The place was a great get-away if you are looking for some peace away from the city life.
• denxclusive (10/5): Best Birthday Escapade - The staff’s customer service was excellent—from the mainland port transfer to the island, hotel transfer, reception, and restaurant teams, everyone was very accommodating. The drivers were also nice and polite. The hotel’s clean and fresh scent was an added bonus, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a birthday greeting and cake waiting for me in the room.
• shajigec (10/5): Family trip - Good location with great facilities with family and kids . Good value for money . Good location natural beauty and many more
• AbuDhabiFamily (10/5): Excellent Staff and Safari for Children - Excellent staff service, large comfortablee rooms and worht the visit for the children to see the saffari.
• Johnybravo41 (10/5): Relaxing Stay amongst beautiful animals - Relaxing Holiday on a beautiful Island. Very nice atmosphere. Wild animals wondering around the gardens. The Safari program is perfect for families. Huge Thanks to Jonathan our deisgnated guide, he really makes a great job, huge knowledge and dedication for the nature. Kids Club with super friendly staff, thanks to Happy and Mia. Breakfast buffet with huge variety and allways smiling staff, thanks to Sofia. Reception also very kind and helpful thanks to Redno and Emanuel. Overall a very nice stay
• sudarshanc2017 (10/5): Family trip to Desert Island and resort - The location is excellent and it feels so peaceful with the animals around The island is beautiful and very well maintained The resort is also very well maintained and staff was very good and helpful
• parveenemara (6/5): Island staycation in Abu Dhabi - The overall stay and number of activities are great. The safari, pool and horse riding experience is a must go! Breakfast was delicious, the varieties and flavorsome salads and desserts were really good. Lunch and dinner main courses could be better. Staff are generally very friendly and eager to assist. The activity timings for kids could improve. Overall, I would recommend the experience.
• prabhakar870 (10/5): Nice - Excellence, keep it up resturent experience and reception well come was a excellence. Very pleasant stay in the hotel.
• Aneeth (10/5): Exceptional Island Retreat - Our stay was nothing short of exceptional. The check-in process was seamless and welcoming; Michelle was very helpful throughout our stay. Our room was spacious and meticulously clean. The breakfast was a highlight; good variety without being very elaborate (unnecessary waste). We also loved the pool, which had good ocean views and the added bonus of watching deer stroll by the shore. The safari was an absolute highlight. Our guide, Lok, was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable about the island's history, terrain, and animal behavior. We spotted a wide range of animals, including various species of deer, antelope, oryx, as well as giraffes, peacocks, and even the lone zebra. The spa was just as remarkable - Special thanks to Phat who provided a very soothing experience. Overall, a truly relaxing and peaceful getaway, a quiet island retreat.
• abdulaziza282 (6/5): Review of Anantara Desert Islands Resort - The resort overall was good, but I had higher expectations for certain aspects. The boat transfer to the island was old, uncomfortable, and not up to the standards of a luxury resort carrying the name “Anantara.” The car transfer from the port to the hotel was also disappointing as the vehicle had a strong smell of smoke, which was very unpleasant even though the driver did not smoke during the trip. The welcome at the hotel was excellent, and the staff were polite, professional, and very helpful. The room was spacious with a nice balcony and a beautiful view. However, the furniture looked outdated, some equipment seemed old and in need of maintenance, and the lighting was not great. My children also complained about the air conditioning being weak, although I personally found it acceptable. What frustrated me the most was the policy regarding extra beds. I had booked two rooms for four adults and two children. Upon arrival, I requested an extra bed, but to my surprise, I was asked to pay nearly half the price of the room for just one additional bed. The staff explained that according to hotel policy, children are expected to share the existing beds with adults. This was very unusual to me, as I travel frequently and have never encountered such a policy, not even in three-star hotels. On a positive note, the safari tour was enjoyable and memorable, especially thanks to the guide, Jaafar, who was knowledgeable about the island’s history, wildlife, and was very friendly with the children. I recommend booking the room with full board (three meals included), because the island has only two restaurants. While the food was good, the prices were extremely high and the options limited. In conclusion, the stay was good overall, but I strongly believe the management should reconsider the policy of children sharing beds with adults, and also improve the transportation and room facilities to better reflect the prestigious Anantara brand
• Sangram0210 (10/5): Memorable experience - I will recommend people to visit Anantara the enjoy the beauty of Sir Baniyas Island and enjoy the facilities.
• waheedruk (10/5): Amazing & outstanding - A best time away from the city and busy schedule with family at calm and quiet island & experience was outstanding
• Renniejohn929 (6/5): Minus The FOOD All is Good - Our best experience was wildlife. 99% of staff are very hospitalble Breakfast is the best value Our wildlife tour guide Jafer deserves 5 star very friendly who makes sure the experience is unforgettable Our Archery guide, johnathan also deserves 5 star Sorry to say, but food is not worth the money, and so are the restaurant and menu options Maybe since we are from uae, our expectations from a five-star is more Our booking was 3 nights and it got boring towards the end with regards to food If you have a fazza or esad card, you get 20% off on everything. Only 3rd party and room services are not included
• gopi84m (10/5): Very Good Amenities & Location - It was a wonderful experience to drive on the safari in this beautiful location. Hotel amenities was good.
• 128sujithk (10/5): Unforgettable Experience on Sir Bani Yas Island! 🌴🌊 - Our stay at Anantara Desert Islands Resort was truly memorable. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality that made us feel right at home. The resort strikes the perfect balance between nature and luxury, offering peace, comfort, and outstanding service. A special thank you to Retona for her kindness and attentiveness throughout our stay. Her genuine care and attention to detail made a big difference and added a personal touch to our experience. Though we didn’t get a chance to do the wildlife safari this time, it’s at the top of our list for our next visit — we’ve heard so many great things about it! The room was spacious, comfortable, and had a beautiful view. The dining experience was also a highlight, with fresh, delicious meals and great service. Can’t wait to return to this slice of paradise — highly recommended for anyone looking to unwind in a truly unique setting!
• 440balun (8/5): Unforgettable Family Getaway – Safari, Birthdays & Pure Joy at Sir Bani Yas Island! - We recently visited Sir Bani Yas Island with our 7-year-old son, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever had. Not only did our son absolutely love the safari — spotting giraffes, cheetahs, and gazelles with wide-eyed excitement — but my wife and I were also celebrating our birthdays during the trip, which made it even more special. The resort staff went out of their way to make us feel celebrated, and the peaceful, natural surroundings were the perfect setting to relax, reconnect, and enjoy some quality family time. The guides were fantastic with kids and full of knowledge, answering all our son’s curious questions with such warmth and enthusiasm. This wasn’t just a vacation — it was a collection of special moments we’ll never forget. Highly recommended for families, couples, and anyone looking to celebrate life in a truly unique place.
• Deemon1512 (2/5): Poor service, short staffed and chaos in the hotel - Complete chaos in the hotel. Short staffed. Poor service. Bad communication and poor management. You request for water and gets delivered after 3 hours with 5 follow up. We order 3 dishes and only 2 get delivered. In-room dining is below average. Had specifically requested for extra bed at the time of booking, it was provided for one night and next night they say you did not reserve it.
• nasabirzy (6/5): very old hotel with not Anantara service - we just came back from Anantara Desert Islands, we were before and hoped on same experience, however it all drastically changed: - we got a room which is really very old, some strange smell, the shower was not working properly, i don't know why but maybe we were given the worst rooms 304 and 303 - absolutely disaster in service, we asked for the dental kit in the beginning and never got one!! - despite asking to clean our room while we were away, the cleaning guy told us he is going for the lunch, we came back by 3 pm, and he still didn't start - to get ice you need to wait about 40 mins, and they started charges for it (15 AED) - the room we booked inclusive of the child, doesn't have additional bed - so need to pay 220 per night in addition, otherwise the child have to sleep with you in the same bed - breakfast variety is okay - tried buffet for dinner - absolute no! no good choices for food - if you want to go to Italian restaurant in neighbor hotel - you cannot, because its only for the guests for Al Yamm villas - beverages are overpriced - at the time of arrival we wait about half an hour to get our luggage my recommendation to the hotel - make some maintenance, your rooms are really old, even the doors are scratched from outside! not sure i will comeback
• yorrickv745 (10/5): Fantastic culinary and wildlife experience. - We had a fantastic anniversary weekend at the Anantara ,Sir Bano Yas island is a real not so hidden Gem , the entire staff was amazing , welcoming and very friendly . Special thanks to the executive chef RInaldo Boscaro and F&B team with a special big up to chef Mohammed Ali at Al shams restaurant and chef Yogesh Chettri at Savannah for their passion for food and going the extra mile and showing us their amazing skills with the discovery dishes served . We had An amazing time only 2 hours away from the crowds of the city really an immersive adventure that starts at the jetty , we also had great moments discovering the wildlife during our safari tour as well thanks to our guide Nawaz . Can only recommend .
• W2006HVjohnp (10/5): Amazing spa - Amazing massage - one of the best we’ve ever had! We had a deep tissue and they managed to get out all our knots. Also the most amazing, relaxing head massage too. Both our Thai therapists, Khan and Phat, were wonderful. We’d come again just for the spa
• althani1991 (2/5): Bad experience - Very bad services, no one answers your calling every time you need to go down and talk to the receptionist to order. I booked fishing trip and it was very bad experience. The hotel look very old and consumed. Finally we take more than two our to get out from the island waiting for bus and boat.
• barbdM9340YM (10/5): Incredible massage - What an experience! From beginning to end, it was perfect in every way. Nantakan was incredible and haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. The ambience was beautiful and choice of oils was perfect. I love the orange blossom. Toes off with the best ginger tea.
• D8174OYsergeyk (10/5): Perfect Thai massage with Kan and Pat - Me and wife really enjoyed real Thai massage with Kan and Pat! Very experienced professionals, welcoming pleasant personality and attentive to our needs. Will try to come again if we visit Anantara Sir Bani Yas again in the future. Thank you!
• donnarG3603EM (10/5): Amazing hotel - I have stayed in various levels of hotels in my life and several high stars. This hotel is very nice but what I want to comment on is the staff. It doesn't matter how nice a hotel is if the staff are not up to standard. I felt so blessed and had the best stay at any hotel I have ever stayed in at Desert Sands. The staff from arriving at the boat to leaving were impeccable. I only stayed one night so I could see the wildlife and monastery on my short trip to the UAE. ALL of your staff were amazing. Sometimes it's just the little things. Special commendation to Stephen on the front desk. The Phillipino Gentleman whose name escapes me on the boat check in desk on the main land and the Balinese lady who gave me my massage. Gerard and another driver who took me to the Monastery and nature drive were very attentive and answered all of my questions. I cannot speak highly enough of the staff they were highly professional, knowledgeable and they really made my stay perfection.
• torsteinb458 (8/5): Good Thai massage - We had a great experience with Thai Massage and facial treatment. Thanks to Nantakam and Amrita for wonderful service. The price model on the other hand is quite strict, and you should be aware that there isn’t possible to take advantage of the all inclusive discount, and use the spa credit at the same time.
• kaanaB182DJ (2/5): A Complete Disaster – Do Not Waste Your Time or Money! - This was an absolute nightmare of a trip. After a more than three-hour drive from Dubai, followed by a boat ride and a bus transfer, we finally arrived - only to be confronted with one of the worst hotels imaginable. Almost four hours drive for what? A run-down, outdated resort with shockingly poor service. We were told there would be minor construction work. This was a blatant lie. The entire beach access was blocked off, the pool - one of the main attractions - no longer had a view of the beach, and the atmosphere was completely ruined by construction barriers. The so-called “duty manager” Georges could not attend to our needs in the slightest and showed a complete lack of professionalism and customer friendliness. The rooms? Old, worn and absolutely not worth the price. The entire hotel looks neglected and is far from the luxury they advertise. For the exorbitant price, one would expect at least basic standards of hospitality, but even the service was painfully slow and indifferent. I want my money back for this desaster.
• Penelope (10/5): A wildlife gem in the UAE - From arrival at the jetty terminal where Emmanuel took me through the ropes, to Ethan, Ramesh and Michelle at reception, my Sir Bani Yas Island stay was fabulous. The accommodation was spacious, comfy and welcoming. The food in all areas plentiful and fresh. The tours were well organised..but i was organised and booked ahead. The spa and water sports were fantastic
• C8106RAclaudior (10/5): Amazing - Amrita & Nantakan were the therapist today and it was everything perfect. It is 100% sure that I would come back here. The place was cozy and beautiful. Staff in general were polite and kind. The environment created to relax was absolutely good
• mohamadl136 (2/5): Disappointing stuffs and hotel - A very big disappointment, driving more thsn 3 hours from dubai, then taking a boat followed by a bus, almost 4 hours of trip to come to a hotel way way below average, slow service. They told us they have minor construction , but we just reached and found out that the whole beach access is covered and even the pool has no more view to the beach and Georges the duty manager didnt care much about the feedback. Room and hotel are quite old and not worth the cost at all. Staying in dubai and enjoying kite beach and go to the zoo is much much better and way more affordable. Very disappointing hotel a d stuffs They restaurant staff was also going to charge us for the kids! Gladly my wife knew that below 6 are free. They didn’t even bother to ask, one of my kids is 3 years old. Will never come back
• Roving50254218086 (10/5): A hidden gem of tranquility and Relaxation - We had a family trip to Sir Bani Yas Island. The island and the tranquil ambience are breathtaking. I thought we must try the spa at Anantara as well so we went for 90 mins body massage and had Nantakan as our therapist. The treatment was amazing and relaxing. Absolutely a highlight of this trip in the island.
• 771aryaas (10/5): :) 🩷 - I am a 15 year old girl, my parents get spas and I just join them or watch them. Today Nantakan assisted us so kindly. I had never been to a steam room or any of that as a complimentary experience. And I would say this was absolutely wonderful as a 15 year old girl. Especially when I’m not allowed to get anything. Of course I’m only a kid haha. But this made me feel amazing and this was awesome. 10/10 experience🌸🎀
• Passport28694783604 (10/5): Marvelous experience - The experience we get from Anantara Desert island spa and resort was absolutely amazing! Shoutout to the Staffs who gave us a comfortable stay in the resort. Thank you Daniel from SA for the services and Dennis from the Philippines helping us to get a ride back to Dubai since our driver was giving poor services. Thank you Anantara for the wonderful memories you all have given us!
• ajayrg2025 (10/5): Most wonderful and relaxing - Very nice place, I sceneic and picturesque environment..and very nice place to relax few days in the lap of mother nature. A wonderful hospitality, the guest service started right from the Jetty, staff were instantly available to recieve us and unload and take care of our baggage all the way The hotel had well stocked restaurant and bars at different locations, to relax and enjoy food and drinks in the middle of nature..very warm hospitable staff . The linens were very clean and in plenty, with liberal supply of toiletries and kits. They provided free transport to go to different properties of hotel, the wild animal safari was too good, all animals looked healthy and beautiful. The New Year Eve party was most lavish and very well organized painstakingly.. The prices of food and drinks seemed to be very reasonable and good portions. I agree some renovation of beach was going on,, but it is necessary to prevent erosion, and since I am not pool lover, frankly it didn't bother me much . There were some WI Fi signal strength issues, WhatsApp was working, but for video call back home, I had to use my personal data . But ok,, minor issues. Overall, I wanted to rest in a quite nature world few days, and I got what I needed and came for .. Overall , I feel a wonderful experience, to spend few days away from city life, in mid of nature...no shopping is available, so come prepared with walking shoes, track suites, and swimming costumes if you are pool lover..
• Kinan (10/5): Wonderful island and hotel - Fantastic experience overall. The kids enjoyed the activities, swimming pool and the mini kids club 😀
• Matthew (8/5): - Long drive but well worth the visit, we really enjoyed the tour of the game park by car and by foot, and the spa was excellent.
• Juan (8/5): Un fin de semana maravilloso - El lugar es bonito pero el hotel debería reformarse un poco ya que algunas instalaciones se ven viejas. El personal en especial Aida maravilloso. El safari es fantástico así como el resto de actividades. Pero parte de las instalaciones como la ducha de la piscina que no funcionaba, luces del baño que no van, y algun que otro detalle deslucen un poco la experiencia. El spa es muy bueno y el servicio tambien.
• Aimen (10/5): - The Safari was really fun and the rooms were extremely clean and spacious.
• abudaqqa (10/5): - Amazing staff, service and experience
• Wanjoo (10/5): - Amenable staff, clean and spacious room condition, and nice swimming pool for kids. Worthy of staying with kids.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Equipe mal preparada / poucos carros - Recepção e lobby na travessa sem nenhuma estrutura de lanches ( somente refrigerante e agua) esperamos la 2 horas sem nada pra comer. O hotel é lindo mas a limpeza deixou muito a desejar principalmente na area externa no restaurante do cafe da manhã. Poucos funcionários . A equipe do Lobby ( recepcionista)deixando muito a desejar, nao são cordiais / péssima experiência. Poucos carros para locomover na ilha, sendo que tivemos que esperar muito pela locomoção .
• Verified traveler (10/5): Must stay once in a life time !!!! - Best ever ..
• Verified traveler (10/5): - The property made you feel like you were anywhere except the desert. The staff was the most courteous and professional group of employees that I have experienced in my vast amount of travel. Thank you for the BEST staycation ever!
• Verified traveler (10/5): - 素晴らしい！ 秘境感と食事、部屋のおもてなしが良い。
• Yulia (10/5): Дикий восторг!!!! - Еще на берегу начинается отдых, тебя встречает ресепшн, с удобными диванами, кофе/печеньками - где можешь скоротать время в ожидании своего бота. Сервис в отеле выше всяких похвал - индивидуальный сопровождающий, который рассказывает, что есть в отеле, где проходит завтрак, где пляж, и далее к нему можно обращаться в течении всего отдыха. Хочу Марии сказать огромное спасибо - она во всем нем помогла! Номер - нам отель сделал комплимент, улучшил наш номер на номер с видом на море и бассейн. По приезду встречает в номере ваза с фруктами и конфетками. Есть капсульная кофе-машина, с хорошим кофе, всегда можно попросить попольнить (но и без просьб пополняли). Есть вечерняя подготовка ко сну - на тумбочку ставят водичку со стаканом, тапочки около кровати. Завтраки - отличные, есть все, и все о-очень вкусное. Омлет или яичницу заказываешь и тебе ее приносят по готовности. Тоже самое с напитками. Бассейн красиво оформлен, служащий у бассейна полотенца разложит, зонтик поправит, чтобы лежак всегда был в тени, только выходишь из бассейна или моря, сразу несет тебе холодную бутылочку воды. Приблизительно раз в час подойдет с прохладными, вкуснопахнущими полотенчиками освежиться. В общем, сервис на высоте. Пляж - пустынный, с великолепной бирюзовой водичкой. Тоже с таким же сервисом. Одно но, до пляжа идти минуты 3, но по горячему по песку, с какими-то камнями (без тапочек не вариант, и в сланцах не удобно) и по какой-то не живописной дорожке... Но мы ходили! Обожаю море!
• saeed (8/5): ممتاز و رائع - ممتاز و رائع
• HASAN (10/5): يستحق الاقامة في هذا الفندق وانصح به - الاقامة كانت جميلة وكنت سعيد مع عائلتي
• Verified traveler (10/5): Excellent Hotel - Fantastic stay. Highly recommend the Arabian buffet on the beach and an early morning safari.
• Christine (10/5): - We had a wonderful 2 day break at this hotel. The staff were very attentive and friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. There were plenty of sun beds on the beach or around the pool with a nice restaurant to have lunch snacks and drinks. We also went on the safari experience which was very interesting and had a very informative guide driving the open Land Rover also a real highlight to see the Giraffe and Cheetah roaming free.
• Brahim (6/5): Vraiment dommage!!! - Les points +: - Le cadre dépaysant et loin de la cohue des grandes villes - Le personnel Spa au top - La réception/Check-in et check-out au top avec un petit massage pour nous détendre de la longue route. - La piscine à débordement en front de mer (magnifique couché du soleil). Les points négatifs: - La restauration n'est clairement pas digne d'un 5* à peine un 3* - Petit déjeuner à peine digne d'un 3* Le plus gros point négatif est le service. Il y avait un manque chronique de personnel à la restauration. Amwaj entre 30 et 40 min entre entrée et plat principal dans un restaurant loin d'être plein. Au petit déjeuner, un serveur en salle pour servir le café et 20 minutes pour obtenir un simple café qui était horrible. 3 tables occupés. Très loin des standards 5* aux Emirats. En conclusion, prix de vente beaucoup trop élevé pour cet hôtel qui conserve les mêmes prix en saison basse alors qu'eux même envoie tout le staff en congés. Si prix 40% moins cher, je conseillerai fortement mais en gardant ce prix et avec un hôtel qui tourne au ralenti, vous trouverez mieux dans les environs au même prix voire moins cher.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - It was a good experience and and and and and and and and
• jim (10/5): Outstanding service, very well organized - A great experience....lots to see and do Wonderful
• Benia2011 (6/5): Beautiful setting ok hotel - The island and wildlife are beautiful, beaches are peaceful and quiet and the most clear blue water. Pool area is great. Hotel is a bit dated for 5 star but rooms are clean, have fabulous views. The a/c in the room was very loud, at her than that no complaints. Breakfast is ok, not great.
• Suranjan (10/5): Wonderful Stay - Great place and recommend mostly for relaxation.
• ASIM (10/5): very clean and very convenient - Amazing !
• Verified traveler (10/5): Very nice and excellent property, Staff is amazing - Must visit place. Very good and environmentally friendly location
• Melvin (10/5): Top-notch service! - This was our second visit, and everything is just as good as we had remembered it. The best part about this resort is the service. In our opinion, it rates among the best we have ever seen anywhere in the world in terms of service.
• Alwin (8/5): Relaxing Weekend Getaway - Service was Impeccable Thank you for arranging our room for our Wedding Anniversary. Special thanks to Mr Herman for all his help and wonderful recommendations at the hotel
• Verified traveler (8/5): Excellent Get Away Trip - one of the best hotels to visit for short stay to break from the cities and head to enjoy wildlife in the Island and also enjoy archaeological sites and enjoy other activities plus the sea in complete self surrounding theme
• Lyn (10/5): A mini break - Just awesome! The wildlife safari,the tour guide Laura and surrounding scenery made for a spectacular day in a short break. Outstanding restaurants at two different properties.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Great luxury with a poor beach - The hotel and staff are absolutely wonderful here and so attentive to our every need. However, I think it is important for guests to know that the beach view is not pristine. There are huge sandbags that stretch along the shore a few meters out into the water that are not attractive at all. If you want to mostly stay beside the beautiful pool it works well. But if you are looking for a picturesque beach scene, you won't find it here.
• Arjun & Nisha (8/5): Paradise - A blog by my Wife To Sir Bani Yas Island. A Heaven away from Home Just felt like another regular day before we started our trip from Dubai investment park towards desert islands. The only condition i kept with my better half was that we will be away from calls and social media to make this anniversary better and more communicative towards each other than with our mobiles. At that time i did not know that what i am about to experience would be something i will remember all my life and will be till date one of the best surprises my hubby arranged for me for our 5th anniversary. We started our journey at 2 am on 26th morning.. By we i mean my hubby, mom our 3 month old son and myself... I guess the crankiest of the lot was me as i am not an early morning bird. After 4.5 hours of travel which included my extreme hunger crankiness, babies hungry cries, hubby's impatience to reach the jetty and my moms constant question 'are we there yet?' we finally arrived at the jetty area. At 7 our jetty started and there began one of the most beautiful journeys for me where even my extreme sea sickness did not seem to affect me. Of course when the boat stopped i was glad i dint mess up the water!!!We were welcomed by a staff and then escorted to our mini bus.. From there our 20 minute ride started to the hotel. Sir Bani Yas is a natural island located 170 km away from Abu Dhabi. With the circumference being around 18km, this is the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates. By now
• Verified traveler (8/5): New experience in the middle of the desert wild li - Perfect destination for whom like exploring the desert life, very friendly staff. Still I believe that the hotel need to think of more activities for children and evening entertainment.
• Wael (8/5): Enjoyable and interesting trip - Staff were very friendly, helpful and service is really amazing. The only downside is that the food and activities are very expensive and there is limited number of restaurants available and sometimes only one option available aw we had to eat in the same restaurant twice. Breakfast was very yummy and excellent but Lebanese restaurant was below average and pretty expensive.
• Fuzz (10/5): Excellent Hotel on Desert Island - My husband and l went for a relaxing break and it was everything we expected! Beautiful location. Excellent services including Speedboat transfer to the island. Definitely recommend it.
• kevin (10/5): Family Break. - Extremely relaxing environment with the added advantage of adventure experiences for those who want more activity. Great choice of food an beverage from in room to various restaurant facilities. We had a 1 year old with and she really enjoyed the wildlife safari as did all the adults..
• Witold (10/5): A great long-weekend family escape. - Wonderful, motivated staff. Uncrowded, relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely return!
• Mark (8/5): Great family vacation - It is something of a trek to get to the resort (long drive followed by boat ride) but once there, we had a lovely and relaxing time. Plenty to do and see including exploring the beach area and going on the wild-life tours. It is not cheap but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would recommend for a short break if you are looking for someting a little different in the UAE.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Lower quality Anantara resort - Having visited other Anantara resorts I was surprisingly disappointed with the standard and maintenance of the hotel and the facilities. Further the description of the villa with a swimming pool was rather misleading as in fact it was no more than a jacuzzi. The jacuzzi itself was poorly maintained with loose tiles and exposed electric cables. The breakfast buffet was acceptable, however we found the menu in general to be expensive, and the meals we had were at best average. The staff was friendly and helpful however this could not compensate for the low overall standard of this Anantara resort.
• Harsh (8/5): Relaxed place! Away from the bling. - It is a very calm & relaxed place unlike Dubai which has so much bling. Also the safari is a must. Price is on the higher side for what you get.
• M Lin (10/5): Excellent Service! - The quality of service has to be the best part of our stay in this resort. We have been members of the Shangri-La loyalty programme for some time, and stayed at quite a few Shangri-La properties, but the service staff at the Desert Islands resort make Shangri-La feel ordinary. Here, you really understand what it means when they say you are a "valued guest", and they all go out of their ways to make sure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Disappointing. Not a 5 star experience - Unfortunately our stay in the hotel was not the 5 star experience we had paid for although I have to say that all the staff we met were unfailingly helpful and did their best to overcome our difficulties. It was doubly unfortunate that we stayed at this hotel after their sister hotel, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, which did give us the 5 star experience. We changed rooms twice because of issues with air conditioning. We also had issues with the showers and tv's not working correctly. The beds and pillows were uncomfortable unlike the Qasr Al Sarab. The main restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner but no reason was given. The beach was not good and had very ugly protection bags in place. On checkout we were charged the pre-authorisation from check-in as well as the cost of all our charges and are still waiting for this to be refunded.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Hotel is beautiful - My experience was not as much as fun as i expected. I had 1 day stay and most of the activities close early especially water sports.They should extend d timing of the water sports. They should also include some activities along with hotel stay.
• Philipp (6/5): Something different - This is a 5 star resort on an island, expect a 2hours drive south of Abu Dhabi. Important: call them to know the schedule of the boat transfer. ...Strengths: good service, large rooms, nice garden, pool bar and the tapas restaurant by the beach has a great location and view, very well equipped gym, tennis and nice kids club (without supervision) ...Not so good: the beach right in front of the hotel can't be used due to fortifications against the waves, lack of sunshade at the kids pool, breakfast is limited in choice. To see the animals you will have to pay and overpriced drive for 225aed p.p.+tax - i would recommend there should be family discounts such as 2for1. Overall a good place for a quiet relaxation holiday.
• Pam (10/5): Enjoyable break - The set up whilst waiting for the water taxi to take you to the island, lets you know this is going to be a special place. Staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel is situated away from anything else on the island and makes you feel you are the only ones there. There are a number of activities you can pay to do and the wildlife ride in the morning is a must. Generally it was wonderful to use the different spaces of the hotel and be out of air conditioning. Many families were there at the time of our visit and it seems to cater well for children. A great experience and place to relax.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Too Far and too Expansive - it's all about the location of the island and the wild life safari!! Amazing, but you can do it simply by organizing your adventure through TDIC, the hotel is over rated and not what we expected from ANANTARA..Way too expansive for what they are offering
• Ahmed (10/5): Enjoyable Stay - Hotel was amazing with very cheerful & pleasent staff. Room was great as it was one of the largest rooms Ive ever sit in a five starts hotels. Food was delicious but expensive. Open zoo was a nice activity but the types of animals were not that much. I enjoyed archery it was great. Finally, I would recommend this hotel for all as it was really nice exposure to sit on an island where the hotel was the only thing there (reaching to the hotel you nearly use all kinds of transport, from your own car, taxi boat & bus).
• Verified traveler (8/5): great for a relaxing weekend break - The whole experience was on the excellent from the ferry terminal to the resort and return. We were able to stay on in our room until 6pm and take the late ferry back which enabled us to make the most of our 1 night stay. The only downside was the food which was disspointing from a resort of this quality. Only one restaurant and the pool bar were open. The dinner and breakfast buffets was lukewarm and the breakfast buffet was cleared away on the dot of 10.30 - with diners rushing to finish their meal. The lunchtime poolbar menu was uninspiring and food quality and presentation very average. Apart from this the hotel is wonderful and we had a very relaxing stay.
• Akif SHaikh (8/5): Good outing than staying in town - Good experience overall however a bit expensive specially dinning.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Not a hotel you want to depend on during crisis! - We stayed 2 nights at this hotel. The checkin service was great. The room was lovely with a great view. However by mid afternoon we were rudely disturbed by guests who had moved next door. The hotel changed our room to another one without any view unfortunately. Since there was no other option we were Ok with that. The island is beautiful, however i would say the hotel is pretty average as there are more beautiful hotels in Dubai. I had expected it to be breath taking but it did not meet expectations. The SPA treatment we had was absolutely SUPERB. However the Spa didn’t have a relaxation room and after the treatment we felt rushed out to the reception which was not a good way to end. The part that made the stay absolutely awful – the day we were checking out the weather was bad and the hotel couldn’t give us a time when the boat would depart. Finally we got a call in the afternoon and were asked to be ready at 330. The Bus left the hotel at 4 and we were at the port by 415. From 415 until 6PM – there was no news. All hotel guests were left stranded without any information. Not one hotel official was there to tell us what was going on. When we started calling the hotel all they said was you have checked out and you can come back and wait in the lobby!!! There is only ONE hotel on the island so you don’t have a choice. There were kids and infants with their parents and we weren’t even offered water!! So much for CLASS and 5 STAR service!! It was a bad end to the holiday. The weather is not the hotel’s fault but the way the managed the whole crises was upsetting and very very unprofessional. Not only that – after they knew there were 50 people stuck there they sent another bus load of people from the hotel without giving them any information either. When we finally got the boat there was nearly a stampede because everyone wanted to get on and there were only 50 seats avl. Hotel really managed this badly (understatement) WHAT WOULD THEY DO IN A REAL CRISIS wonder!!! Never going back there – much better service and hotels in Dubai.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Enjoyable stay - A very enjoyable few days away with the family. We travelled by car from Dubai - a reasonably easy (but dull) 4 hour drive. Reception at the ferry jetty and departure lounge both good. Nature theme and trips very good, but the hotel could do more in terms of information about the animals, local ecology, breeding programmes etc to ensure a much more informative visit. Hotel generally very nice/comfortable.
• peter (8/5): desert hotel - it is for sure a place to go and learn about the wildlife of the UAE the hotel is good, the rooms are great, the view also. the food is average it's an island, and they have been able to choose the only location where there is no beach!!! so if you go there for the beach, forget about it, it's only the pool. how bizarre??? desert island and no beach!!???
• Faisal (10/5): Beatifull retreat and reserve, I highly recommend it> - It is worth the money I paid. Beatifull desert Island. Excellent resturant with international Cuisine

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