Elite Traveler January-February 2017

elite traveler JAN/FEB 2017 109

OUT OF TOWN

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Try the desert, an island or just surround yourself with lush landscaped gardens…

The Presidential Suite at Al Maha is an oasis

Above: Astride the Grand Prix racetrack, the rooms at Yas Viceroy Hotel are fully soundproofed Left: The iconic shapes of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

1. Zaya Nurai Island With a far-away-from-it feel, but located only minutes by speedboat or helicopter from Saadiyat Island, are the 32 beach villas of Zaya Nurai. This is a boutique island resort with turquoise water and a vibe more Maldives than Middle East. Choose between a one-bedroom retreat villa or a four-bedroom water villa. No expense is spared here in concept or design. Beyond the edge of your private infinity pool you will find water sports, fishing, yoga and tennis. The spa menu is available in-villa or in the stunning private pavilions, which protrude over the waves. A circuit of the island, beneath the hundreds of imported palm trees, takes a couple of hours. Return to sip something smooth beneath a lanai or at the seafront lounge. Arrival by yacht is possible by arrangement. From $1,300 per night for beach villa Adbi Moukheiber, general manager, gm@nurai.com, +971 2 5066 212, zayanuraiisland.com 2. Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai An hour and a half from the city over the dunes into Dubai, the tranquillity and beauty of the desert await. Al Maha sits in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and the individual suites have a Bedouin tented feel, with views over the sandscape. Each sleeps between two and six and comes with its own pool and sundeck. The romance of the desert is at the forefront, but there are

off-the-beaten-track activities, on which this eco-luxury retreat prides itself, ranging from camel trekking, plus a desert safari to see the Arabian oryx and gazelles. Two activities a day are included in your stay. For the less adventurous, there are cocktails on the terrace and the Timeless Spa with its Rasoul chamber plus options of couple and in-suite massages. From $7,000 per night for the three-bedroom Presidential Suite Mira Radic, director of guest services, mira.radic@luxurycollection.com, +971 4 832 9900, al-maha.com 3. Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri If you are looking to entertain in Abu Dhabi, consider Signature Villa Four at the Shangri-La, its designated “party villa.” With 6,458 sq ft set over two floors, it can sleep up to 20 guests in four bedrooms. The decor is Asian-inspired and the villa comes with its own swimming pool (heated to your favored temperature), cinema and bar. There is butler service, a fully equipped kitchen, a private entrance and personal garage. You will find Bulgari amenities in the bathroom. Five other – quieter – signature villas are available with Arabic or contemporary interiors and room combinations which include a majlis , dining room, lounge and study. From $4,900 per night Thomas Guss, general manager, thomas.guss@shangri-la.com, +971 2 509 8301, shangri-la.com/abudhabi

ROYAL ETIHAD SUITE Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Yas Viceroy Hotel

With 360 degree views taking in the Corniche, sweeping views of the cobalt Gulf and the Abu Dhabi skyline, this suite on the 60th floor is a stunner. Light and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows, it has just the right weave of traditional design and modern luxury. Its 10,548 sq ft sleeps eight with a king-size bed in each of the four bedrooms. There are three living spaces and the sunlit bathrooms have walk-in rain showers and private dressing rooms. As well as dedicated butler service, this suite has the high-spec tech you would expect with an iPad-controlled environment and Bose sound system. From $18,000 per night Stefan Fuchs, general manager, jadinfo@jumeirah.com, +971 2 811 5555, jumeirah.com/jumeirahetihadtowers

In a hotel that straddles the Grand Prix race track who would you expect as fellow guests but Hollywood glitterati and F1 legends? The double story, 4,305 sq ft space has original artwork and exclusive furnishings fromMoMA in New York. There is a dedicated elevator, full chef’s kitchen and room for 16 to dine. The large terrace has a private lap pool and there is direct access to a personal treatment lounge in the ESPA spa. A fleet of Audis is available on request. From $6,575 per night yas.reservationsviceroyhotelsandresorts. com, +971 2 656 0700, viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/abudhabi