Living in a bustling city such as Dubai, there are times when solitude can feel like a utopian phenomena. Thus, taking refuge in a villa that has a private pool overlooking the sparse yet endearing desert at Banyan Tree Al Wadi, it does not take long to fall into an abyss.
With little reason to leave the elegant surrounds – you will at one point want a massage at the Thai spa, of course – we happily confine ourselves to mornings on the covered deck, feet dipped in the pool and a cup of tea by our sides.
With nothing to worry about, it is how we spend much of the day – letting go of the outside world and increasingly sinking into a coma of calm.
We do, though, eventually crawl out of our other world. In the afternoon, before enjoying a personalised massage, we explore the resort’s award-winning The Rainforest – an exploration of the effects of water, whether in the form on steam, a shower or ice, on the body.
After a second day of rejuvenation, as the sun begins its slow descent, we try our hand at archery (where I apparently have better aim than expected!). The range is set with a backdrop of the desert and next to an owl enclosure, where we later learn about this mysterious bird.
The activities continue with a falcon show displaying the prowess of the UAE’s national bird. While there are few children around during our stay, it is clear there is plenty to entertain them, with an activities centre also at hand.
As we retreat back to our villa, we pass a picturesque hilltop picnic setting; a perfect location to watch the sunset over a drink or an Arabian BBQ.
This evening, we venture to the Al Waha restaurant. Overlooking sand dunes, we are presented with an international menu and our attentive waiter proactively caters to our dietary amendments. Currently quiet at the resort, our sense of calm and isolation is retained.
It with deep reluctance that the following afternoon we pack our things and close the door on what has been a haven of peace and calm. It has only been three days but it is difficult to ignore the restoring effects of our little getaway as we retrace our drive through the desert back to reality.
CEO visited the resort as a guess of Banyan Tree Al Wadi.