It’s the most instagrammed hotel on the planet, and there’s a reason for it. The Qasr Al Sarab is a castle stretched across an ocean of sand and it really is a thing of beauty. The endless desert, disturbed only by the roads to the hotel is enchanting and the flame-coloured dunes make the resort look almost like a fascinating mirage among the golden sand dunes. This is a place to dine under desert skies and admire the endless dunes, a place to unwind with soothing Moroccan hammam and desert spa rituals, for an ultimate desert adventure and a memorable five-star holiday.

The striking castle in the sand emerges out of the endless dunes and slender palm trees that line the entrance of the resort. It’s a blur of green, beige, and ochre colours but when the sun sets, it coats the dunes in a golden red light. The 19,000-acre resort has 140 guest rooms, 14 suites and 42 pool villas, and a gargantuan lobby with marble coated floors and arch shaped floor to ceiling windows giving full panoramic views that eyes can’t help but keep drifting towards.

Guests will marvel at the Mashrabiya style patterns that can be seen almost everywhere and Moroccan lamps hanging from the ceiling, and with the mellow sounds of Arabic music only adding to the allure, there is a sense of elegance and comfort about, something almost fit for Arabian royalty. Created as an homage to Bedouin life, guests can find compelling artefacts such as sculptures, tapestries, and paintings dotted around the hotel, all paying tribute to the past of the Bedouins.

Qasr Al Sarab, which translates from Arabic as ‘the Mirage Palace’, is inspired by desert fortresses from the area. It is located in the outskirts of Abu Dhabi in the Empty Quarter also known as the Rub ’al Khali, which is the world’s largest sand desert covering 583,000 square kilometres and stretches over parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. The sea of sand contrasts with views of mountains and endless sand gorges and peaks that guests will see along the drive from Abu Dhabi.

This five-star hotel oasis in the infinite deserts of Abu Dhabi is a fortress of fountains and courtyards which houses sizeable rooms and suites. As the hotel was built on a crescent-shaped dune, each of these rooms and villas face the west, giving guests uninterrupted desert sunrise and sunset views. The accommodations have been designed with tradition in mind, reflecting the Bedouin castle-like exteriors. They are decorated with white, earth tones and splashes of cocoa brown and there is a Middle Eastern touch in every detail with lavish fabrics and plush pillows. The bathrooms are spacious as well with a sophisticated design, a deep soaking tub, separate rain shower and a range of Anantara products.

For an elite level of luxury, the Royal Pavilion Villas, which is located in an exclusive section of the hotel, has even more refined services and VIP accommodations. Located half a kilometre away from the main resort, guests can enjoy a complete sense of privacy in a more intimate setting. There is a separate check in area, spa facility, and each villa has a separate indoor sitting and dining area. The outdoors has a gorgeous pool, outdoor shower, and there is even a huge outdoor space perfect for weddings, celebrations, and group gatherings.

Despite the remote location, dining options are endless at the Qasr Al Sarab with plenty of gastronomic experiences to discover. Guests can enjoy dining by the pool, a candle lit dinner in the desert, or take in the breath-taking views from the rooftop lounge. Suhail is the rooftop lounge and upscale grill restaurant which provides delicious steaks and seafood, all with the spellbinding views of the sunset. The menu is exceptional with gourmet dishes such as the Black Angus beef tartare or Suhail’s signature dish, the thirty-day dry-aged tomahawk marinated in black truffle rub and covered with freshly shaved truffle slices. Meals are flawlessly paired with wine by the Wine Guru from Soheil’s very own wine cellar.

For poolside dining, Ghadeer restaurant makes an ideal option. This Mediterranean restaurant serves light snacks and refreshing cocktails during the day but in the evening, it transforms into a romantic dinner destination with dishes such as the Seafood Mix Grill and Braised lamb shank with Tajine jus. And finally, for dining out in the desert, an ultra-romantic candlelit table out in the dunes awaits. Dining by Design offers Middle Eastern and international fine dining menus, or guests can design their own menu in consultation with their personal chefs.

Out in the ocean of sand, the high adrenaline activities will create some unforgettable memories. Sand boarding for example, is an exciting way to explore the desert in a completely new way by racing down giant dunes and feeling the thrills or for something even more adventurous, dune bashing is the zaniest thing one can do for an electrifying experience. There is also horse riding and archery for those feeling a bit sportier and beyond that, desert sand volleyball is a fun activity to challenge friends and families. Camel trekking is unquestionably a must, if one is visiting the Empty Quarter then a ride on these ships of the desert is the ultimate adventure.

The sunrise and sunset treks truly allow guests to immerse themselves and be at one with the ambience and peace of the vast open spaces and to enjoy the mesmerising panoramic views. Away from the high-octane adventures, guests can take in the tranquillity of the Rub Al’ Khali desert with desert walks at dusk or in the cooler months. The guided desert walk, whether it’s in the sunrise, sunset, night-time or on a full moon, gives guests the opportunity to learn about the area’s history and heritage whilst soaking up the wonderful views, and yes, there is more to it than just never-ending dunes.

The Qasr Al Sarab is a place of exciting adventure into a dreamlike land. It is a grand castle built to provide first class service, brilliant views and the quintessential desert resort experience whilst honouring the Bedouin culture and heritage. It caters to the needs of guests who come to relax and unwind with spa days or the more adventurous types out for exciting and adrenaline-rushed experiences such as dune bashing or sand boarding. The Qasr Al Sarab is more than just luxury. It’s more than just big rooms and fancy restaurants, this resort has a truly seamless experience in both quality of service and the resort’s celestial surroundings. It’s the human touch and the overall experience which is sure to give a mystical five-star holiday like no other.