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There is something magnetic about the world’s deserts. Their silence, their vast horizons, and the way the light shifts over dunes or canyons create a sense of calm and perspective that few other landscapes can match. For those who value privacy, space, and design that feels deeply connected to its surroundings, the best desert hotels turn remoteness into a form of luxury.
Middle Eastern Majesty
1. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi
Rising from the Liwa Desert like a mirage, Qasr Al Sarab feels both timeless and theatrical. Designed as a fortress, with palm-filled courtyards and desert-facing villas, it offers complete seclusion in the Empty Quarter. Days here are about dune adventures and camel rides, while evenings end with sunsets that flood the desert in gold.
2. Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Al Maha combines the romance of a Bedouin camp with the comfort of a private sanctuary. Its tented villas each have plunge pools with views across a conservation reserve where oryx and gazelles roam. The sense of privacy is extraordinary, and the desert itself feels like part of the experience rather than just a backdrop.
3. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, Dubai
Bab Al Shams, meaning “gateway to the sun,” is a resort that feels like an oasis. Its earthy courtyards, lantern-lit walkways, and rooftop terraces bring a touch of intimacy to the desert. Close enough to Dubai to be accessible yet far enough to feel remote, it offers an atmosphere that is both relaxing and romantic.
African Desert Legends
4. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
With floor-to-ceiling glass walls opening onto the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is about immersion as much as comfort. Stargazing from its private observatory is a highlight, while excursions to the towering red dunes and nearby canyons ensure the experience is both adventurous and restorative.
5. Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, Namibia
Sustainability and elegance define Wolwedans. Elevated wooden decks overlook vast desert plains, while interiors are simple yet inviting. It is a retreat where the rhythm of the desert sets the pace, and where luxury is found in stillness and in knowing that your stay treads lightly on the land.
6. Kasbah Hotel Xaluca, Morocco
On the edge of the Sahara, Kasbah Hotel Xaluca blends traditional Moroccan architecture with desert hospitality. Its arches and mosaic tiling create a strong sense of place, while camel treks and evening fires under the stars bring the romance of the Sahara to life.
American Desert Icons
7. Amangiri, Utah, USA
Amangiri is perhaps one of the most famous desert retreats in the world, and with good reason. Built into the sandstone, it blends almost invisibly into its surroundings. The suites are understated yet deeply luxurious, while experiences range from helicopter tours over Lake Powell to guided hikes through slot canyons. It is a property that redefines desert living.
8. Explora Atacama, Chile
Set in the world’s driest desert, Explora Atacama is about discovery as much as comfort. Guests can explore salt flats, geysers, and volcanic landscapes during the day, before returning to a base designed with quiet sophistication. With some of the clearest skies on Earth, astronomy here is as much a luxury as the fine dining or spa treatments.
9. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Arizona
In the Sonoran Desert, this Four Seasons resort offers adobe-style casitas with terraces looking out over saguaro-studded hills. It is a place to balance desert adventure with indulgence: golf on championship courses, spa rituals inspired by the desert, and easy access to the cultural energy of Scottsdale.
A Desert Wonder Further Afield
10. Longitude 131°, Uluru, Australia
Here, the desert becomes theatre. Luxury tented pavilions open directly onto views of Uluru, with its colours shifting through the day in extraordinary ways. Experiences are grounded in indigenous culture and paired with fine dining under clear, starlit skies. It feels remote, elemental, and profoundly special.
The magic of desert hotels lies in contrast. They take the starkness of sand, rock, and sky and pair it with intimacy, design, and service that feels rarefied. Whether you are drawn to the vast dunes of Arabia, the wilderness of Namibia, or the spiritual stillness of Australia’s Red Centre, these properties show how the desert can be one of the world’s most luxurious destinations.
