Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai celebrates its 20th anniversary in March 2019. The resort has become the quintessential preserver of the Arabian heritage and set the benchmark in desert tourism and conservation since its inception in March 1999. Amongst the evolutionary ideas materialized by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Al Maha Desert Resort is the result of the first ever concentrated effort by the United Arab Emirates to embrace culture, habitat and energy awareness, all under one roof in the built environment. The boutique luxury resort has successfully embodied the Bedouin lifestyle with essentials of today’s luxury and eco-sensitive traveller through its distinctive architecture, immersive flora, fauna and captivating desert adventures and experiences.
These two decades have seen Al Maha Desert Resort maintain distinctiveness through its architectural identity by deviating from the characteristic skyline of Dubai. The luxury resort is a fine example of how legacy can be timeless by embracing building structures, lifestyle activities and wildlife habitat initiatives that resonate old-style Arabian tradition. The lodge-style structures with natural beige and brown interiors, sandstone floors and opulent use of mahogany, intricate gold hand-embroidered cushion fabrics and display of rare antiques altogether have become a treasured experience of the tourism landscape in the Gulf region through the past 20 years.
Located within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), Al Maha Desert Resort plays a vital role in the conservation of Dubai’s last remaining desert habitats, apart from offering a matchless experience of the Bedouin heritage. Responsible and sustainable luxury tourism is one of the primary focus areas at Al Maha resort. This is being achieved through several initiatives such as installation of solar panels for all 43 pools, in an effort to save energy and minimize the impact on the environment. Besides relying on renewable energy sources, the resort practices sustainability across the property, including recycling water and installing charging stations for electric vehicles. Taking a 360 degree approach, the resort also involves its guests in their conservation efforts by offerings guided ‘Nature Walks’ to minimize carbon footprint and by assigning a part of the hotel revenue towards preservation of the desert reserve.
As part of the commemoration activities, Al Maha Desert Resort will organise a fascinating contest where photography enthusiasts can showcase the best of the resort and its desert environment. The desert hideout has also planned a distinguished display of photos to reminisce its exceptional endeavours over the past 20 years. Al Maha resort will pay the perfect ode to its timeless bond with the desert culture through poetry and literature recitation in an enthralling association with the Emirates Airlines Literature Festival in March 2019. This celebration of written and spoken words is the largest in the Arab World, which will welcome world famous authors and home-grown talent on the centre-stage. Special celebratory offers on accommodation, dining and signature spa facilities will be available at the resort during the Anniversary period.
On this special occasion Al Maha Desert Resort’s 20th anniversary, Mr. Patrick Antaki, Complex General Manager – Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah and Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa says, “It is an honour for us to be custodians of the priceless Arabian heritage and contribute directly to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoumfor the desert conservation project. I am grateful to all stakeholders of the DDCR project for their support in preserving the surrounding habitat, its wildlife and the native culture. Two decades of progressive efforts to protect and promote the Arabian way of life is a stimulating accomplishment for us. We are all very proud of what Al Maha Desert Resort has achieved and look forward to celebrate 20 years of service excellence.”
