As the long National Day weekend arrives, the UAE shifts into its gentlest, most golden season — cooler nights, sun-washed mornings, and that irresistible pull toward the open air. This year, think beyond the hotel lobby. These staycations are invitations to step into the UAE’s wild beauty: to wake up where the dunes roll on forever, to breathe in mountain air that feels older than time, to wander islands where the world softens into sea and sky. Whether you’re chasing silence, adventure, or a landscape that expands something in you, this is the moment to pause — and let the Emirates remind you just how limitless they really are.
Here are KHAMSA’s rounded-up addresses for a National Day staycation done right.
١. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island – Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island marks the National Day break with its Holiday Your Way offer, giving guests up to 26% off stays along with a full lineup of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and signature wellness experiences. Set on the pristine shores of Saadiyat Island, the resort blends effortless luxury with all-inclusive ease, complete with a kids’ splash pad and water park for younger travellers. A minimum two-night stay unlocks the offer, making it a perfect coastal getaway for the long weekend.
Location: Saadiyat Island
Contact: +971 2 492 2222 / reservations.rixossaadiyat@accor.com
٢. The Nest by Sonara – Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – Dubai
The Nest by Sonara offers a rare, design-led immersion in the desert, where 14 architect-designed “nests” blend seamlessly into the dunes for an intimate, eco-luxury escape. Created by Gianni Ranaulo, each nest is built with minimal environmental impact and features a plush double bed, private bathroom, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibar amenities, and a secluded outdoor majlis for uninterrupted dune views. Guests begin their evening with sunset canapés and drinks at the Nest Lounge before unwinding under an expansive star-filled sky—one of the reserve’s quietest and most striking settings. Mornings unfold slowly with breakfast served on the terrace, followed by camel rides, gentle nature walks, or scenic drives across the protected landscape of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. More discreet and nature-centred than a traditional resort, The Nest by Sonara offers an escape where luxury meets stillness, and where the desert itself becomes the heart of the experience.
Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Contact: +971 4 574 8555 / www.nara.ae/nest
٣. Al Maha, Luxury Collection Desert Resort – Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – Dubai
Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, invites guests to experience refined desert tranquillity this winter with its A Journey Beyond – Full Board Stay offer, featuring 15% savings on select private villas, full-board dining, premium desert adventures, and rejuvenating spa moments within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Just 45 minutes from Dubai, the resort blends Bedouin heritage with contemporary elegance across its 42 villas, each boasting a private temperature-controlled pool and sweeping dune views. Guests can enjoy three curated activities—including one premium experience—such as sunset horse rides, guided wildlife drives among Arabian oryx and gazelles, and signature spa rituals like the Sodashi Oud Renewal Therapy, complemented by an AED 250 spa credit. Evenings invite connection with Emirati culture through Qalb al-Sahrā: Heart of the Desert, a gathering under the stars with storytelling, Arabic coffee, and traditional delicacies. Recently honoured with One MICHELIN Key, Al Maha offers a rare, restorative escape rooted in luxury, nature, and heritage.
Location : Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa – Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Contact : +971 4 832 9900 / www.al-maha.com
٤. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara – Liwa – Abu Dhabi
A fortress of luxury rising from the edge of the Empty Quarter, Qasr Al Sarab feels like a desert mirage turned real. The drive in winds through immense ochre dunes before opening onto a lobby view that instantly sets the mood. Start the day with a guided sunrise walk, linger by the palm-fringed pool in the afternoon, then climb the dunes for sunset tea served on a traditional carpeted ridge. The rooms are warm, textured, and designed for unhurried mornings wrapped in desert stillness.
Location: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – Bateen Liwa – Mahdar Sahab – Abu Dhabi
Contact: +971 2 886 2088 / infoqas@anantara.com
٥. Najd Al Meqsar – Khor Fakkan – Sharjah
Tucked high above Wadi Shie, Najd Al Meqsar is a restored stone-village retreat overlooking the Hajar Mountains — a hideaway where silence, altitude, and heritage shape the entire experience. The ascent winds past the Al Rafisah Dam before opening onto terraced pathways that lead to century-old mountain houses, now gently modernised. Mornings begin with cool breezes sweeping through the valley, afternoons unfold on private terraces facing the rugged cliffs, and evenings are spent under clear mountain skies that make the world feel far away. With its raw textures, history-soaked walls, and slow-living rhythm, this is the UAE’s most soulful highland escape.
Location: Najd Al Meqsar – Wadi Shie – Khor Fakkan – Sharjah
Contact: +971 52 645 9771 / reservations@sharjahcollection.ae
٦. Delano Dubai – Bluewaters Island – Dubai
Set along the shores of Bluewaters Dubai, Delano Dubai brings its signature Miami flair to the UAE — and marks National Day with a ٢٠٪ discount on room rates, inclusive of complimentary daily breakfast for UAE and GCC residents. Known for its iconic pool scene, the hotel is also offering special rates on sun loungers and cabanas throughout the long weekend, making it an ideal spot for a stylish waterfront staycation.
Location: Bluewaters Dubai
Contact: +971 4 556 6255 / reservations-dubai@delanohotels.com
٧. Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection – Kalba – Sharjah
Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection offers a peaceful island escape where mangroves, mountains, and sea create one of the UAE’s most serene natural landscapes. Reached by private boat, the tented villas come with private plunge pools, spacious decks, and uninterrupted views of Kalba’s protected coastline. Guests can kayak through the mangroves, spot rare birdlife, or unwind with nature-inspired spa treatments before ending the day with coastal dining overlooking calm waters. Intimate and eco-minded, Kingfisher Retreat is a restorative hideaway deeply connected to Sharjah’s wild beauty.
Location: Kalba – Sharjah
Contact: +971 6 801 2020 / www.sharjahcollection.ae/kingfisher-retreat
٨. The Cove Rotana Resort – Ras Al Khaimah City – Ras Al Khaimah
The Cove Rotana Resort offers a Mediterranean-style escape infused with Arabian charm along one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most scenic water inlets. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the resort features contemporary Arabic-designed rooms and villas, a private beachfront, and a wide selection of restaurants and bars across the property. Guests can enjoy various watersports, relax by the pools, or wander along serene lagoon pathways often visited by friendly ducks. Families will appreciate the Flippers Kids’ Club, making this an ideal destination for both leisure and family stays.
Location: The Cove Rotana Resort – Ras Al Khaimah City – Ras Al Khaimah
Contact: +971 7 206 6000 / www.rotana.com/thecoverotanaresort
