Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our recent stay at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort was truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, everything was seamless, we were taken straight to our villa and all check-in formalities were completed there at our convenience, which set such a relaxing tone. A heartfelt thank you to Leo, the Director of Rooms, for arranging an upgrade on our upgrade, an absolute gentleman whose kindness made our experience extra special. The safari tour with Navas was a highlight, his energy, knowledge, and positivity brought the conservation story of the island to life. It was inspiring to see the efforts being made to protect wildlife in such a unique setting. The breakfast buffet was excellent, with a wide variety and top quality. Our villa hosts, Ethan and Tushar, went above and beyond with their hospitality and warm energy. It was also an honor to meet Lilia, the GM, whose leadership shows via the incredible service culture across the resort. Every detail reflected care, passion, and genuine hospitality. This was not just a holiday; it was an experience we will remember and cherish for years to come. Highly recommended!

I rarely write reviews, but my overall experience here was disappointing from start to finish. For a property marketed as a “luxury resort,” the reality was shockingly below standard — not even comparable to the mid-tier brands of Marriott or Hilton. • Transportation: From the very beginning, the boat transfer was poorly organized. I had to wait an unreasonably long time, and upon arrival, there was still a car ride ahead with no water offered throughout the journey. For a supposed luxury hotel, this was simply ridiculous. • Dining: At Olio restaurant, the attitude was indifferent at best. The staff behaved as if guests should feel grateful just to be seated, and the manager refused to even come forward to address a complaint, hiding behind arbitrary “rules” and leaving customers visibly unhappy. The buffet was no better — food quality was no higher than an airport lounge, yet the price was marked up to 180 AED during the holiday period. This felt less like hospitality and more like robbing guests. • Spa: The spa was another disappointment. The air conditioning noise was louder than the background music, making it impossible to relax. Towels on the spa bed were rough and uncomfortable, which only reinforced the sense of carelessness. This was not a spa experience, just a noisy and uncomfortable massage. • Check-out: Communication was equally poor. I was never informed of the exact check-out transfer time. Believing I had until noon, I prepared myself accordingly. Yet before 11:40, staff were aggressively ringing the doorbell and rushing me out, even though I clearly asked for just 15 more minutes to pack. Ironically, after being pushed out, I still waited 10 minutes at reception before the car finally departed. I do appreciate that the staff themselves were trying their best, but the overall management was clearly disorganized and inconsistent. For the long-term success of this resort, I sincerely hope these points are shared with the management team for immediate improvement. Overall, the entire stay felt indifferent, careless, and unworthy of a luxury label. Instead of creating a welcoming experience, the hotel seems to operate with an attitude of “take it or leave it” — perhaps relying on its exclusive location rather than earning guest satisfaction. Until serious changes are made to management and service standards, I cannot recommend this property to anyone expecting true luxury hospitality.

After a let-down at Desert Islands Resort, moving to Al Sahel Anantara felt like a breath of fresh air. From the start, George gave us a warm welcome that set a positive tone.|The highlight of our stay was definitely Zin Min. Even though the team was clearly short on staff, he never let that show. He was everywhere—helping with meals, checking on our comfort, and making sure little details were taken care of. He stayed calm, friendly, and professional the whole time, and we always felt looked after.|Zin Min really represents what hospitality should be about. He turned our stay into something memorable, and we left feeling happy, cared for, and already planning to return.

Truly breath taking resort and island however service was shocking. ||||We kept getting told we could do water sports which was all we wanted to do as it’s so hot and then cancelled and then we were called at 7am in morning to say we could, we went and as we had no breakfast because we didn’t have time. So we decided to cancel the second activity because we weren’t feeling well and needed food to which we were told we had to pay for it regardless (I refused in the end)||||We had issues with the steaks the first night in Savannah restaurant, clarified to waiter 3 or 4 times we wanted medium rare and he kept repeating medium well and it got awkward. Steaks came out well done and they didn’t have same one to replace it so we had a different one and while we were waiting the sides were left to go cold and not replaced.||||Ordered breakfast to the room and it took 2 hours, they obviously forgot and then told us that there was an issue with the equipment (we ordered eggs).. ordered drinks to the room and explicitly said can they come right away as we had an activity booked and they obviously forgot about those and took 2 hours to bring them.||||The island is a must visit and this resort is beautiful but unfortunately the service is the worst I've ever received from anywhere ever.||

I rarely write reviews, but the experience was so bad for the price paid. Pros - nice location, safari, peaceful. Ethan and the rest of the team at the hotel are trying their best, but are fighting against the overall organization of the place. Cameron was excellent as a safari guide, extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Cons: Boat check in - we were called the night previously and told the boat is leaving at 1.45pm sharp. So we arrived early. We were loaded onto the boat at 1.40pm. Unfortunately, we had to wait for some inconsiderate guests, and were sitting on the boat still at 2.20pm. No water and no A/C, with two kids under the age of two. For some reason the other boat left on time. Hotel check in - once we arrived we were loaded onto a bus despite some being given a jeep. On check in, it was a free for all, no priority was given for a pregnant lady and her family, or our family with small children. Others simply piled forward to the one desk doing check ins. Surely it would be simple to arrange - as you know who’s coming off the boat? Safari - it was excellent with Cameron, but again we were told there was some A/C closed jeeps, we didn’t have one, this would be easy to arrange ahead of time given the age of the children and the heat. Spa and jeep transfer - I had booked a spa for my wife and was told the transfer would be at 1200. Again my wife was still waiting at 1230 in the hotel lobby, again waiting for some other inconsiderate guests. Return to the dock - we had messaged ahead of time and were told our car would be ready by the valet team. Unfortunately it wasn’t, and the staff there were in disarray. I asked several times if they knew where my car was, was no response, so I walked around the car park to try and find my car which was at the other side of the jetty. The keys were inside. For the price paid, it is no more than a 3 star hotel. And unfortunately, they seem unable to cater for even pregnant women or small children, responding only to those who shout loudest or force their way to the front. The hotel really needs a way to deal with inconsiderate guests, people can’t wait 30 minutes just because the others can’t be bothered to wake up or be on time. There should be a cut off for transfers or activities. You should simply be told to get the next one if you are too late. As I said some of the staff are excellent, Ethan, Tushal, Cameron. But it seems there is either total disorganization at the top, or they are short staffed, I don’t know. But I would not recommend it as a luxury stay.

I stayed at this hotel for my honeymoon, and it was truly a fabulous experience from start to finish. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay special – they beautifully arranged the room for the occasion, and every detail felt thoughtful and romantic. From the warm welcome to the stunning room setup, everything exceeded our expectations.||||The ambiance was perfect for a honeymoon getaway – peaceful, luxurious, and intimate. We really appreciated the extra touches that made us feel celebrated and cared for. A big thank you to the team for making this trip unforgettable. Highly recommended for couples looking for a memorable escape!

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort is the most luxurious and relaxing place we have ever traveled to! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by the incredibly friendly and attentive staff who made our stay truly special. The villas are beautifully designed, offering a perfect blend of comfort and nature, with breathtaking views of the wildlife and serene surroundings. The resort itself is a peaceful escape, ideal for those looking to unwind and reconnect with nature while still enjoying five-star service. Whether it’s the amazing food, the stunning pool, or the wildlife encounters, every moment here feels magical. This has been the best travel experience we’ve had so far, and we can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend for anyone seeking luxury, tranquility, and top-tier hospitality.

We had an amazing weekend here. The room and private pool were some of the best we have ever seen. The private pool area had doors that we could open out and observer the wildlife. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Jafar and Ethan were great, their knowledge of the island and helpfulness really improved our stay. We will definitely be back again, would recommend.