Bab Al Shams is a luxury desert resort tucked away just southwest of Dubai, less than an hour from the city centre and the Palm Islands. The five-star property prides itself on being an escape from the urban jungle, with everything on-site you could possibly need for a relaxing stay: plush and spacious rooms and suites, a huge infinity pool, decadent spa, four restaurants to choose from, and traditional fountains and gardens that top-off the traditional Arabian feel.

You can expect to explore the dunes surrounding the hotel by jeep, camel, horseback, on a fat bike especially designed to tackle the sandy terrain, or by foot if you fancy a nature walk with one of the property’s knowledgeable guides. Gazelle, geckos and birds all call the desert home here, so there’s ample amounts of wildlife to witness in amongst this other-worldly scenery, and the simple pleasure of being in the a vast, quiet space is something alone to relish. The hotel suits as either a romantic getaway for a couple, or indeed for a family as a kid’s club and children’s pool make the property ideal for your little ones.