Resort, camp or camping: three different things
A desert resort is a hotel in the desert, with rooms or villas and a booking by room night. A camp package is a safari that ends with a night at a camp, for example in a stone room with breakfast. Camping on your own is neither of these, and it follows its own rules.
These categories are not interchangeable, and a glamping room is not the same as a free night in a tent. Compare what each booking page lists, not only the photos. This page covers two resorts: Bab Al Shams and Al Maha.
The options compared
Facts as published by the operators, 2026.
| Option | What it is | Published details |
|---|---|---|
| Bab Al Shams | Desert resort | Desert Pool Villas; reopened on 10 February 2023 under Rare Finds, part of Kerzner International |
| Al Maha | Luxury Collection desert resort | In the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on the Dubai-Al Ain Road; 42 private pool villas; check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00; free parking or valet; no hotel shuttle |
| Overnight camp package (Platinum Heritage) | Safari with a night at a camp | 1 October to 30 April; stone room in Arabic style with bedding and breakfast; from AED 1,195 per adult, AED 995 per child, VAT included |
| Camping on your own | Your own tent and gear | Rules differ by area; see the camping notes on the overnight page |
Room rates for the resorts depend on date and occupancy, so check the hotel's own booking page for your dates. Whether meals or activities are included depends on the rate, so ask before you pay.
Our pick: the overnight camp package
This is the camp-package type described above, a safari that ends with a night in a stone dwelling, not a resort stay.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Desert tours and overnight stays
Overnight desert safaris and day trips from Dubai, with live prices and availability.
What to know about each stay
Practical details for planning.
Al Maha
Al Maha is run by Marriott as a Luxury Collection resort. It lies inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on the Dubai-Al Ain Road and has 42 private pool villas. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. Parking and valet are free. There is no hotel shuttle, and the airport is 65 km away by the hotel's own figure, so plan your own transfer.
Children at Al Maha
The hotel website accepts children of all ages and lists surcharges from age 6. Al Maha is not an adults-only hotel. Older texts online give a minimum age that no longer applies. A concrete family rate depends on your dates, so ask the hotel.
Bab Al Shams
Bab Al Shams offers Desert Pool Villas. Kerzner reopened the resort on 10 February 2023 under Rare Finds, so it is not closed for renovation. Check the resort website for current offers. Do not mix it up with Al Maha, which has a different address.
The overnight camp package
The Platinum Heritage package is a safari with a stone room, bedding and breakfast. Pickup is 14:00 to 16:30 and return 09:00 to 10:00 the next day. Read the overnight safari page for the program, camp categories and what to pack.
Mountains instead of dunes
Hatta is a mountain destination, not a dune landscape. Dubai Holding announced the start of its Hatta resort season 9 for 28 September 2026, with new and updated stays and activities. Opening dates differ by property, so check each one. See the Hatta page.
How to choose
Four questions that decide it.
Do you want a hotel room or a safari night?
A resort works as a base for several days. A camp package is one night that includes the safari program and breakfast.
How do you get there?
Al Maha has free parking and valet but no shuttle. With a camp package, pickup and return are part of the booking.
Who travels with you?
Al Maha accepts children of all ages with surcharges from age 6. For a camp package, ask which ages count as a child.
Desert resorts and camps: frequently asked questions
Is Al Maha adults only?
No. The hotel website accepts children of all ages and lists surcharges from age 6. Older texts that give a minimum age are out of date.
How far is Al Maha from the airport?
The hotel gives 65 km from Dubai International Airport. There is no hotel shuttle, so plan a car, a taxi or a pickup of your own. Parking and valet are free.
Is Bab Al Shams closed for renovation?
No. Kerzner reopened it on 10 February 2023 under Rare Finds. Check the resort website for current offers and room types.
Can I sleep in the desert without a resort?
Yes, with an overnight camp package. The example runs from 1 October to 30 April and includes a stone room, bedding and breakfast. Not every camp may host guests overnight, so ask where you will sleep.
What do resort rooms cost?
That depends on the date and the number of guests. Check the hotel's booking page for your dates, and ask whether meals or activities are part of the rate.