Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara

The overall stay and number of activities are great. The safari, pool and horse riding experience is a must go! Breakfast was delicious, the varieties and flavorsome salads and desserts were really good. ||Lunch and dinner main courses could be better. Staff are generally very friendly and eager to assist. The activity timings for kids could improve. Overall, I would recommend the experience.

This past weekend, I spent my honeymoon at the Desert Safari Anantara is Sir Bani Yas. Overall my experience was okay, although not for the price that was paid. 1. I requested an upgrade, with of course the willingness to pay more. Although, the reservation staff gave one price then another. They were late with their response to my emails and because if their tardiness, I choose not to upgrade. 2. Once we arrived, we were requested to spend more money for a transportation fee. The expensiviness of the fee was not the point, it was the lack of courtesy and hospitality to wave the fee for the trouble and lack of promptness of our request via email. (We still had to pay) 3. The staff were all nice and helpful. Although, they were over worked and short-handed in the restaurant areas. Often times we were left waiting and sometimes forgotten about. This made it difficult to enjoy the ambiance with the consistent looking around for our server, food or drinks. 4. The safari, beach and pool we the highlight of our trip. Night life....well, there wasn't any. They didn't even have a shisha or evening entertainment. I really wanted to us to enjoy our stay, especially because it was meant to be one of our most memorable times together as husband and wife, but for the cost of money that was paid, we expected better.

Our stay was nothing short of exceptional. The check-in process was seamless and welcoming; Michelle was very helpful throughout our stay. ||Our room was spacious and meticulously clean. The breakfast was a highlight; good variety without being very elaborate (unnecessary waste). We also loved the pool, which had good ocean views and the added bonus of watching deer stroll by the shore. ||The safari was an absolute highlight. Our guide, Lok, was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable about the island's history, terrain, and animal behavior. We spotted a wide range of animals, including various species of deer, antelope, oryx, as well as giraffes, peacocks, and even the lone zebra. ||The spa was just as remarkable - Special thanks to Phat who provided a very soothing experience. ||Overall, a truly relaxing and peaceful getaway, a quiet island retreat.

We came to celebrate our wedding anniversary and truly appreciated the effort of the staff in making it special. From the warm welcome at the port to the smooth check-in, everything was handled with care. A special thanks to Retno and the reception team, who were always ready to assist us, as well as the activity guides who made our experiences memorable. Our kids had a wonderful time at the kids’ club and pool, which made the trip even more enjoyable for the whole family. The dinner reservations, stay, and activities were all excellent. Thank you to everyone for making our anniversary stay unforgettable.

The hospitality of the staff was truly amazing—everyone was warm, attentive, and made us feel welcome throughout our stay. The hotel is very clean, and the views are simply beautiful. I traveled from Dubai, which took around 3 hours by car, followed by a 30-minute boat ride (as informed by the hotel). Guests should keep in mind that after the boat ride, it takes about 40 minutes in total to disembark, transfer by car to the resort, and complete the check-in process—so it’s best to plan your trip with that extra time in mind. The spa and services were impeccable. I had the Anantara Signature Massage, which was totally worth the price—deeply relaxing and professional. The morning wildlife safari was fantastic, giving a real glimpse of the island’s natural beauty and wildlife. The pool was beautiful and perfect for relaxing, though the breakfast was average compared to the rest of the experience. Another plus is that the activities offered through the Anantara website often come with good deals, so it’s worth booking directly to take advantage of those. Overall, this resort offers a unique combination of relaxation and adventure. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable escape in the UAE.

The place is old but they have maintained it well. Amazing staff and most importantly amazing Safari experience with Jafar! He will give you the best experience that you will never forget. We really enjoyed the place and seeing the animals because of him. Only thing that they can improve on is the F&B - Breakfast needs to have more variety. There needs to be more restaurant in the hotel or better option than the current one.

Hotel was very quiet and not busy at all. Generally the room and the resort itself had some AC issue. Didn’t feel the air con. Staff were fantastic. Everyone that we have met have gone beyond our expectation. Safari drive was amazing too. Food menu options are limited.

I had a wonderful stay at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. The hotel is beautiful, very clean, and well-maintained. The staff were all extremely friendly and helpful, making us feel truly welcome. A special thanks to Dilan, who went above and beyond to assist us — his service was exceptional! The food was absolutely delicious, with a great variety and high quality. I highly recommend this resort and would love to come back again. Thank you for the amazing experience!