Qasr al Sarab, A Castle in the Sand
At dusk, guests trek to the peak of the tallest dune just beyond the resort to take in the beautiful sunset. The desert is a trickster so the walk is a rigorous one and more than one might expect. But the result is worth the effort. Couples and friends sit on dunes. Some laughing in conversation, some in silent contemplation as the sun sets in the west bathing the dunes in golden and reddish light. This is the endless Liwas desert in Abu Dhabi and the its xxxx resort oasis, the Qasr al Sarab by Anantara.
The UAE is a desert fronted by the Persian Gulf. To the uniformed the desert is a waste land of sand and brutal sun. But to those who know, it is a thing of beauty. As beautiful as a snow capped mountains or a tropical island. In the UAEs most impressive sand dunes you’ll find what seems to be a mirage, a five star oasis and monument to emirate heritage, the Qasr al Sarab.
Qasr Al Sarab is a Mirage embedded in one of the largest deserts in the world, the Empty Quarter or Rub’ al Khali as it’s known locally. To get there your drive through rising mountains and valleys of sand as far as the eye can see. The sand changes colors from white to ochre as the dunes rise to greater and greater heights.
Just shy of the Saudi Arabian border you’ll find the five star mélange of emirate hospitality, accommodation, spa, dining, and amenities. The backdrop is of course the Arabian Desert and the the mystic desert charm of Abu Dhabi’s Empty