Travel Review: Telal Resort Al Ain

Dunes, swans and private swimmings pools.

In January 2023, I wrote about the Telal Resort Al Ain, a luxury desert resort on the outskirts of Al Ain and approximately 2-3 hours away from most parts of Dubai. I have stayed in Telal Resort Al Ain about half a dozen times. A fact that even astounds even me. Chances are, I have stayed here more than any other hotel in the UAE over the last eight or more years.

You can read the full write-up about the Telal Resort Al Ain here on EatGoSee.

The Domani two-bedroom villa is my focus. I stayed in other rooms at the Telal Resort Al Ain over the years, such as the pool-less Gazelle one-bedroom villas and the terraced rooms in the Zawal Lawal Heritage Village. The Domani Two Bedroom Villas set the benchmark for desert tent accommodation.

The View from the Domani Two-Bedroom Villas overlooking the private pool and fireplace. This doesn’t come cheap.

3 things to know

• It’s a dry resort, but… the hotel accepts guests who BYOB. (Dry, meaning they do not serve alcohol.) This is a major benefit if you are organised. Bring your coolers and wine, and find your favourite corner to watch the sunset over the dunes. The hotel will provide you with ice buckets, bottle openers, etc.

• It’s pricey. Naturally, luxury desert tent stays do not come cheap. This villa pushes a bit over US$1200 a night for four people. The Telal Resort compares well vs. other well-known counterparts in the UAE, like the Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Wadi Desert, but, in my experience, the Ritz Carlton Wadi will often cost you more, but the F&B is better and more varied. The Telal is vastly superior to the Al Wathba (find a write-up of that hotel here).

• There’s lots to do, but two days are plenty. Zorbing, archery, sandboarding, ziplining over an oasis, it’s all there. In reality, two days at the Telal Resort is plenty. This is partly due to the isolation. Those looking for more extended stays may want to consider other properties. Also, remember what I said about it being pricey?

You can read the full write-up about the Telal Resort Al Ain here on EatGoSee.

Let me know about your favourite holiday stays in the comments.