A HIDDEN HAVEN
1. SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY, Musandam Peninsula, Oman
However you arrive at Six Senses Zighy Bay, you’re guaranteed one thing... It will be unforgettable. Zip through the bay by speedboat, take a dramatic 4x4 drive through the mountains and down to the hotel, or launch yourself off a cliff (attached to a professional) for the ultimate James Bond paragliding entrance. Yes, Six Senses Zighy Bay does things a little differently...
Located on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula, it’s a beautiful 120-minute drive through an other-worldly landscape from Dubai, where vertiginous edifices make way for towering, craggy mountains on one side, and a kilometre of sandy coved beach on the other. Created with a sustainable vision, the resort advocates experiential luxury, where your time here is built on making the most of the land and sea. The central fresh-water swimming pool is ideal for early morning lounging, while the 35-metre salt-water pool – the only one in the Gulf - has Roman steps and a swim-round island, making it perfect for lazy afternoon dips. There’s also a library, Cinema Paradiso, tennis court and jungle gym in-house, or hiking, biking, dhow-boat cruising and whale shark watching – plenty to sate all types of inquisitive bodes, minds and souls.
However, the real beauty of Six Senses Zighy Bay is the sense of pure escapism it affords you. Weave your way along the bay’s sunlit sandy lanes to find your private pool villa, then close the bamboo gates behind you and breathe in that seclusion. The Oman-style villas are made from natural stone and timber and offer complete privacy, each with their own sand garden, outdoor patio and private pool enclosed by high mountain-stone walls. Choose a Pool Villa Beachfront and you can open your garden gates directly onto the beach, fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves and wake up to magical sunrise views. The bay itself affords long sunrise or sunset strolls along the sands, calm seas for relaxed dips, and crystal clear waters where you can spot turtles, stingrays and an incredible coral reef.
When you ready to stray away from the beach, book one of two memorable experiences. First, a three-hour Wonders of Oman treatment at the Six Senses Spa, which uses fresh mint, dates, honey and almond powder to cleanse, purify and revitalise your body; and second, dinner at Sense on the Edge – a cliffside restaurant 293 metres above the sea, with Andalucian and Arabian flavours.
2. THE OBEROI BEACH RESORT AL ZORAH, Ajman, UAE
The understated emirate of Ajman has a jewel in its crown, The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah. Framed by one million square metres of protected mangroves, with pristine white sand beaches and lagoons, its location is second to none. The contemporary architecture is striking against the rugged beach front, designed with sweeping wide open spaces that bring the outdoors in, all designed in a neutral palette to harmonise with the surrounds. At the heart of the resort is its legendary 85-metre pool – flanked by palm trees and parasols, it’s the perfect setting for both swims and sundowners.
For any little people in your party, there’s also a sand box, a baby pool and another for toddlers and small children. The hotel is also home to a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, and a beautiful spa, with hammam and open-air showers in the treatment rooms. For more leisurely pursuits, you can linger all day on the beach or take a guided kayaking tour of the Mangroves. The rooms, villas and suites all ooze contemporary cool, with the Premium Three Bedroom Villa with Private Pool and Terrace the epitome of beach chic.
3. BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA, Doha, Qatar
Accessible only by private catamaran from Downtown Doha, the wonderfully-named Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara is an 800-metre crescent of golden beach, where water villas dot the shoreline and lush botanical gardens create a natural vibe. With a focus on wellness, the resort has an Anantara Spa and a Balance Wellness Centre. And also, as a playground for all ages, a surf pool, dive centre, VIP cinema, bowling alley and putting green.
To make the most of your private island enclave, spend the day by the Lagoon Pool – the centre of the island’s action, or retreat to the more serene ambience of Q Lounge Pool for a more sophisticated sunbathe. If you’re more of a beach worshipper, lounge by day on the golden shores, then, as the sun starts to cool, swim out to HamacLand, a floating platform that is a cross between a personal island and private beach where land meets sea. For a true ‘private island’ experience from dawn to dusk, stay in a Three Bedroom Over Water Villa, with its thatched roof, indoor/outdoor living, villa host and private pool.
4. ADDRESS BEACH RESORT FUJAIRAH, UAE
Flanked by the Hajar Mountains that cascade down into the ocean, the Address Beach Resort Fujairah is a true coastal escape for the outdoor enthusiast. The hotel’s long strip of private beach means you can unwind, stroll or swim by the sea in veritable seclusion, while the three pools offer a different way to cool down during the day. Away from the beach, the rooms and suites offer either nature-filled mountain views or epic views of the Indian Ocean.
In keeping with the Address style guide, the interiors are clean, sleek and warming all at once, elegant in their minimalism but awash with all the mod-cons and services you could need. The brand is renowned for its wellness sanctuaries, and The Spa here is no different, with seven treatment rooms, two hammams, steam rooms and a nail salon promising to stretch, tone and tease you back into a better state of wellbeing. To make more memories, you can venture out on a scuba-diving excursion, join a sunrise fishing trip with the hotel chef, or visit an Oyster farm followed by snorkelling.
5. ZAYA NURAI ISLAND, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Just a zippy 15-minute boat ride off the shores of Abu Dhabi, Zaya Nurai Island awaits, an light-filled retreat like no other in the Middle East. A slice of white-washed paradise – a vision that is part Greek Isles, part Indian Ocean islands – it’s as tranquil as private islands come. The island accommodation ranges from a Beach House, with its chic-come-homely vibes; a Water Villa, where the ocean is your back yard; and a grand Estate Villa, with its five bedrooms, and own private beach, gardens and infinity pool.
There’s a raft of activities to keep you entertained, from scuba diving and snorkelling to jet-skies and fly-fishing at sea, or on dry land, nature walks, yoga, beach volleyball and tennis lessons. With a private island (almost) to yourself, you’d be forgiven for doing very little at all. There’s an infinity pool, an award-winning spa with each treatment room lapping up ocean views and four gorgeous restaurants, serving rustic beachy menus and Mexican fused with Middle Eastern cuisine.
