Must-visit luxury desert hotels and resorts around the world

Deserts are vast, unique, and spectacular. They are perfect landscapes that offer the best of both worlds—tranquility with a side of adventure. And being at the centre of all the action is a thrill in itself. If we have tempted you enough and you’re wondering where to go, this list of luxury desert hotels and resorts around the world will help you decide. Each of these properties offers endless views of the desert and activities like spa retreats, nature walks, camel treks, desert safaris, star gazing, and so much more.

Here's our of some of the best desert escapes that you can holiday at.

Longitude 131 Degrees, Australia

There’s a reason why this gorgeous property ranks high in every 'best desert hotels in the world' list. Located in the heart of Australia, Longitude 131 Degrees, with its 15 tented pavilions and two Dune Pavilions offers breathtaking views of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Be it exploring the terrain of the region on a camel ride during the day, taking a dip in the pool on a hot afternoon or enjoying a scrumptious meal with fine Australian wine under the stars in your luxurious tent, the place has it all. 

Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia

Based in the southwest corner of the country and built atop granite boulders, the luxury property will spoil you for choice. This colonial-style lodge boasts 10 one-and two-bedroom tented suites that each offer stunning views of the sand dunes. The staff is friendly and their attention to detail is commendable—they offer maps, binoculars, telescopes, handmade stationery, and vintage artefacts among other things that make your stay a memorable one. Along with using their open-air infinity pool and fitness and yoga centre, there’s a lot you can do during the day including horse riding, hot-air balloon trips, city tours on an electric bike, walking trails, and so on. But the place comes truly alive when the sun sets and you can make the most of it by taking a private sunset safari, attending a show at the open-air cinema, enjoying a five-course meal with a view, and stargazing under the African skies. 

Amangiri, Utah (USA)

 

If you’re a fan of canyons, there’s only one luxury hotel to be at and this is it. Located at Canyon Point in the desert of southern Utah, the resort offers scenic views of the sunrise over the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (400-year-old limestone formations) that you can enjoy on a desert hike or a horse ride. Operated by Aman Resorts, one of the most ultra-luxury hotel chains in the world, the resort is built around a swimming pool and presents guests with two options—the suites, each with white stone flooring, a fireplace, and a stunning view of the desert and the tented pavilions. Those who love glamping are in for a treat as the property features a high-end glamping site called Camp Sarika. You can also enjoy a cultural tour with local native American tribes.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, UAE

Two words best describe this resort in the Liwa Desert of Abu Dhabi—uninterrupted and endless. And that’s what it exactly offers—uninterrupted views of the endless desert—as you relax in the plunge pool outside your villa or ride a camel. Every room, villa, and suite in the property is considered by many to be one of the finest stays in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the decor and ambience of the room that comprises fabrics and artefacts from the Middle East that complement the picturesque views of the landscape. Along with indulging in some relaxing massages, you can also opt for some fun activities such as dune bashing, a camel trek, and sand boarding. 

Amanjena - Marrakech, Morocco

Luxury desert hotels and resorts don’t get any better than those offering views of snow-capped mountains. This property in Marrakech, known as the Daughter of the Desert, sits amid olive and palm trees with the High Atlas Mountains in front of it. Here you can take guided tours of palaces, ancient gardens, and the Medina and rejuvenate with a spa treatment or a dip in the heated pool. If you’re a lover of sports, you can also enjoy a game of tennis on their clay courts or head to the 27-hole Amelkis Golf Course nearby. 

EXPLORA ATACAMA, CHILE

 

Located in the Atacama Desert in north Chile, this property, spread across 42 acres, has 50 rooms. You can set out with your guide on any of the 40 explorations that the property offers either on foot, horse, or bicycle. The Puritama hot springs, whose name comes from “Puri” (water) and “Tama” (hot), is a must-visit spot nearby. It boasts of eight thermal pools in the middle of a canyon surrounded by native vegetation. You can enjoy a laidback evening by sipping on some South American wine or in the property’s very own observatory. After all, San Pedro de Atacama offers some of the world’s clearest skies and is considered to be one of the best places to practice astronomy. You can relish the region's unique flavours with dishes made using local ingredients such as quinoa, cachiyuyo, and chañar.