For most travelers, the United Arab Emirates calls to mind futuristic skylines where sci-fi towers pierce the clouds and indoor malls shelter racetracks and ski slopes. Each winter, I spend most of January in the UAE to escape the cold weather in New York and visit my sister who lives in Abu Dhabi with her family. We always plan a camping excursion in the Arabian desert which requires a lot of preparation including: pitching tents, blowing-up mattresses, lighting a campfire and packing meals.  This year, we chose to try an easier option and headed out to Arabian Nights Village, nestled amongst the dunes in the heart of the Abu Dhabi desert.  The resort offers an authentic and memorable Emirati cultural experience, honoring Bedouin traditions including a traditional welcome of fresh cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee dates and the fragrance of Bakhoor wafting through the dry air.

Arabian Nights Village is located about 70 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi, offering the experience of a traditional bedouin dwelling, in addition to luxurious modern amenities including an oasis pool, and nightly live entertainment.  The desert is your playground where you can ride camels, sand surf, rev up a quad bike, or strap in for an adrenalin-pumping ride with a dune bashing professional driver.

STAY:  Skilled artisans, engineers, architects and hospitality professionals, have faithfully recreated traditional clusters of Emirati houses, including: enchanting roomy tents, charming rooms, and exquisite tower suites designed with spellbinding Arabian interiors, dark woods, Arabian weaves and glasswork.

• The Bayt Al Shaaer (The Woven House, above) houses are adorned with authentic Sadu (UAE weave patterns), perfect for intrepid travelers or families who want to live and sleep like true desert dwellers.
•  The Bayt Al Bahar (House of the Sea) connects guest with Abu Dhabi’s pearl diving past, with palm frond houses modeled on traditional Emirati coastal homes.
• The Bayt Al Bar (Desert Home, below) houses are sand colored rooms inspired by the mud built homes that evoke another chapter in Abu Dhabi’s architectural and cultural history.
• The Al Manhal Fort Tower is a grand cultural gem lifted straight from the pages of UAE history. Offering three presidential bedrooms, lavish interiors elegantly furnished with rich fabrics, and authentic design details − a fortified watchtower with modern luxury, comfort, and a finishing touch of extravagance. 

DINE: Al Maqam Restaurant (The Gathering Place, below) offers Arabic and international cuisine set in a traditional Bedouin style, outside under the stars.  The thatched palm dining hall and  terraces look out onto views of desert dunes rolling into the distance.  Fresh traditional Arabic food, warm service, and live entertainment from musicians and belly dancers bring a vibrant electricity to the village at night.

If you are traveling to Abu Dhabi, spending a couple nights out in the desert is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed. For more information on Arabian Nights Village, click HERE