Posted 09 October 2024 in Travel wanderlust

Top 10 Unique Staycations In The UAE For A Memorable Vacation

Are you planning to have unique staycations in the UAE? This country in the Middle East will fascinate you with a ton of hotels and resorts offering irresistible facilities and amenities. Picture this: After a long flight to the UAE, you are exhausted and in desperate need of a comfy hotel bed, cocktails by the pool, and a stunning view - all of this without having to go too far from the bustling city. Yes! That’s like a dream come true. 

Whether you desire villas with lagoons, a resort with direct access to the pool, or a hotel in the middle of a desert with your private oasis, we have a series of unique staycations in the UAE for you. So what are you waiting for? Book your hotel with IndiGo and check in at some of these top 10 unique staycations in the UAE for a memorable vacation. Scroll down to know more: 

Here are some of the top 10 unique staycations in the UAE for a memorable vacation:

1. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

One of the most opulent staycations in the UAE is Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. This resort is located on one of the artificial islands at Palm Jumeirah. The unique feature of the resort is the massive lagoons that offer a private entry from the villas. The blue lagoons in the middle of the property and palms all around keep the area cool and pleasant. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort is one of the unique staycations in the UAE ideal for family and honeymoon. It also has access to the Anantara beach, exclusively for the hotel guests. 

  • Location: The Palm Jumeirah

2. Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa by Jumeirah

From the moment you visit the Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa by Jumeirah, you’ll feel like you are in some small town and not a resort. The entire architecture of the resort and the outer space is inspired by ancient Arabic towns, in the middle of a desert. It certainly offers one of the unique staycations in the UAE, even the locals come here for a weekend getaway to enjoy the ambience of this resort. The tasteful rooms, Talise Spa and plunge pools, and the bar and restaurants serving Arabian cuisine are extraordinary. 

  • Location: Al Wathba South 56620 - Abu Dhabi 

3. Atlantis The Royal

Another popular option for unique staycations in the UAE is at the Atlantis The Royal. This beautiful hotel is located in Palm Jumeirah. The most unique feature of this hotel is the structure, it has a lego style architecture with open space between a couple of floors. The appearance of the hotel is such that, it feels like it is stacked on top of each other. Atlantis The Royal is also considered to be UAE’s top hotel with impeccable services and luxurious rooms with views to die for. Another crow-pulling feature is that it is right next to the Aquaventure Water Park.

  • Location: The Palm Jumeirah

4. Bedouin Oasis

Experience the Arabic nomadic lifestyle with a touch of luxury at Bedouin Oasis in Ras Al Khaimah. This is probably one of the most unique staycations in the UAE, trust us! Your vacation in the Middle East can’t get any more authentic than this with Bedouin camping, and camel rides. The luxury camp offers a series of camps for a staycation which include family tents and chalets for couples. It also has an elevated glamping experience, now isn't that cool? All this comes with thrilling desert activities like private safaris, dune bashing, quad biking, archery, sandboarding, and falconry. In the evening, the camp offers a campfire too. 

  • Location: Bedouin Oasis, Ras Al Khaimah

5. Anantara World Islands Resort

The World Islands are unique enough, and the resorts here are the ultimate for unique staycations in the UAE. Don't believe us? Let's look at one of the resorts - Anantara World Islands Resort. Dive into this oasis with a series of luxury accommodations. In just a quick 30-minute ferry ride from Jumeirah 4 Port, you will arrive at Anantara World Islands Resort. Along with direct access to the sandy beaches, guests can enjoy luxury pools and other facilities like spa and bar spaces. It also has an outdoor dining option perfect for date nights. 

  • Location: The World Islands 

6. Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort

Feel the Arabian nights and sleep under the starry sky at the Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort. This resort is ideal for unique staycations in the UAE with an earthy and rusty decor offering a desert retreat. For those who wish to experience typical Middle Eastern accommodation in the middle of the desert, Bab Al Shams couldn't be a better place. It has a chic Anwā rooftop restaurant offering delicious food and a sunset lounge to soak in the lovely vibe. Even the rooms here offer a calm and contemporary ambience. 

  • Location: Al Qudra Road - opposite Endurance City

7. JA Hatta Fort

Away from the coast, surrounded by the rocky mountains is one of the unique staycations in the UAE for you called JA Hatta Fort Hotel. This hotel has been offering luxury stay options for guests for over 40 years. It has stunning mountain views and an onsite mini-golf and archery options. Guests with a knack for adventure activities or something casual will be provided with kayaking and mountain biking options. Besides that, the JA Hatta Fort Hotel has a beautiful pool looking over the dramatic mountains, yoga and spa, as well as, bouldering activities. 

  • Location: Hatta Oman Road Hatta Roundabout 9277 

8. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort

Surrounded by the Persian Gulf, the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort is a haven on earth for holiday seekers and vacationers. What makes this resort one of the unique staycations in the UAE is being an eco-friendly resort and for its stunning location. The resort provides guests with rustic villas and chic accommodation options with private pools surrounded by the Arabian Wildlife Park, offering wildlife safaris and more. Guests can also take advantage of activities such as horseback riding and mountain biking. 

  • Location: Sir Baniyas Island

9. Zaya Nurai Island Resort

One of the fun features of this resort is that the island where it is located appears to look like a big question mark from a certain angle. However, from the satellite view, it appears in a crescent shape, but whatever the shape of the island is, the entirety of it is occupied by the Zaya Nurai Island Resort. It is only accessible by boat or ferry service making it an even more exclusive resort and one of the unique staycations in the UAE. Zaya Nurai Island Resort offers luxurious beachfront houses with private access to white sandy beaches, peaceful spa and yoga areas, dining options with restaurants and more. 

  • Location: Nurai Island

10. Mysk Moon Retreat by Sharjah Collection

Scrolling through this list and still looking for some of the unique staycations in the UAE? Your search may end at Mysk Moon Retreat by Sharjah Collection. This stunning retreat has dome-shaped camps providing the best glamping experience. Surrounded by desert, you will almost feel like you are on Mars surrounded by the Mleiha dunes. The best part of this retreat is you get your private pool and an open space is just you and nature away from the city hustle. 

  • Location: Umm Al Quwain Road, Al Ruwaida, Sharjah

Best time to visit the UAE

If you are planning to book flights to the UAE, then the preferred time would be between October through April. The winter months are always pleasant and nice to explore the cities and spend a lovely time in some of the unique staycations in the UAE. However, let us dive into different months in the UAE:

  • Summer: June through September is the summer season in the UAE. It is the less-crowded period for tourism during this time since the temperature soars up to 33 degrees. But if you plan to spend time indoors in some of these resorts, then this can be a great time as the hotel prices may also be a little cheaper.
  • Winter: December through March is the winter season in the UAE. These months are considered the peak tourist season as the weather is cool and pleasant. One of the drawbacks is that, the hotels may be expensive, however, you can book in advance using the IndiGo hotel booking option.

Tips to remember while travelling to the UAE

Decided to go for a staycation in the UAE? Good choice, the country has ultra-luxurious hotels and resorts that’ll have you pampered throughout your stay. But it is good to remember a few travel tips to help make your vacation in the UAE even more pleasant. 

  • Get your visa in advance for a hassle-free vacation, to know more, visit our Dubai visa guide
  • Book your flights at least a month before your travel, it is ideal to choose an airport closest to your hotel
  • Holding hands is acceptable, but do not get any idea of cosying up, as such a gesture is frowned upon
  • Even though self-driving is pretty nice and roads are organised, you may encounter rowdy drivers in certain places
  • If you decide to leave the hotel to explore Dubai, the public transportation is easy to use and most tourist places are connected by the Dubai metro 
  • Plan to visit the highest building in the world? Book in advance, the peak season is considered between November through March
  • Be careful of what you keep in your bag, any restricted items like weed are not acceptable
  • Even though tipping is not a custom in the UAE, it is considered good to tip if you enjoyed the services provided by the restaurant or cafe
  • Do not travel during Ramadan in any of the cities in the UAE as it is a national holiday and most places are closed
  • Choose to travel in the winter, the weather is pleasant, despite the gush of tourists from across the world

How to reach the UAE from India?

Travelling to any of the cities in the UAE from India, you need to book flights with IndiGo. The airline is the only means of transport to get to the UAE. However, if you are in a neighbouring country, for example - Oman, Bahrain, or Qatar for example, you can travel by roadways. Below is the list of the best ways to reach the UAE from India.

  • By air: The easiest and most convenient way to reach the UAE from India is by taking an IndiGo flight from India. You can find direct and connecting flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ra'sal-Khaymah from cities like Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. 
  • By road: If you travel from India to any of the neighbouring countries such as Qatar, you can get buses and cabs to the UAE cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Several private bus and cab services offer direct services. 

Takeaway

The UAE has so much to explore and so many hotels to stay in. No matter which accommodation you choose to spend your vacation in the UAE, you will be treated like kings and queens. Now that we’ve established some of the unique staycations in the UAE, it is time to book your flights to the Middle East and get pampered.

Related travel blogs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which emirate is most famous in UAE?

Dubai is the most famous emirate in the UAE.

Which is the 7-star hotel in the UAE?

The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in Dubai is a 7-star hotel in the UAE. It is the only 7-star hotel in the UAE so far.

When is the best time to visit the UAE?

The best time to visit the UAE is during the winter season, choose months between November/December through March.

How to choose a hotel in the UAE?

There are a bunch of hotels in the UAE each offering luxurious services. You can choose from the hotels mentioned above for a lovely staycation.

Which is the best hotel to stay in Dubai for first-time travellers?

The best place to stay in Dubai for first-time travellers is Atlantis The Royal located in Palm Jumeirah.



2000+ Daily flights
80+ Domestic Destinations
30+ International Destinations
500 Mn+ happy passengers
300+ Fleet tall