8 minute read
SIR BANI YAS
Out of Dubai… and into Africa
Experience the sights and sounds of Africa without leaving the UAE
Have you ever wanted to wake up to an African dawn? Or dreamt of seeing gazelle nibbling the grass metres in front of where you sit with your morning cuppa, or watching a giraffe lazily munching the top of a tree just a few metres further away?
Well, you can do all that at a place that’s only a road trip away.
Many UAE residents are often surprised to learn that Abu Dhabi has a remote island housing 11,000 wild animals. Those who are in the know about Sir Bani Yas, however, will already appreciate the unique characteristics that make a 3.5-hour trip to the island feel more like a Kenyan escape than a staycation in the capital.
The island itself is bigger than Abu Dhabi city, coming in at 87 Sq Km – that’s equal to 378 Bluewaters Islands. The three available resorts are all operated by Anantara. There’s Desert Islands Resort, and two types of villas: Al Sahel Resort has lodges in the forest, while Al Yamm Resort has villas on the beach.
What’s On recently spent two nights at Al Yamm Resort (Dhs1,520 per night).
The first thing to note is that the resorts are open to all guests, allowing you to explore each hotel, its pools, and restaurants as you please. However, due to the size of the island, there are drivers to take you between each upon your request.
Everywhere you look there are various animals strolling, squawking or feeding on the grass. Arabian oryx are one of the main animals you’ll see around the resorts and – as long as you don’t get too close – they’ll peacefully graze
right next to you. Peacocks are common too, and more than happy to show off their mesmerising iridescent trains.
Al Yamm Resort’s rooms look out onto the mangroves and have sun loungers as well as an outdoor deck to relax and take in the serene setting. The villa has plenty of space inside, with a passagewaystyle bathroom, leading to a separate shower guarded by swinging saloon doors.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas provides an extensive list of activities to keep you busy throughout your stay.
A must-try is the nature and wildlife drive, which lasts about 90 minutes (Dhs320 per person) where your guide will
show you the enormous range of wildlife roaming free on the island. As with any safari, there’s a little luck involved but we managed to catch a glimpse of cheetahs and get up close and personal with a friendly giraffe from within our open-top Land Cruiser. Other pursuits available include archery, kayaking and horse riding.
The cultural and historical tour (Dhs295 per person) stops off at some of the archaeological sites on the island, including a cemetery of the Bani Yas tribe, which lived on the island from 1800 to 1935.
Olio is Al Yamm’s signature restaurant – an endearing Italian spot directly next to the beach. Enjoying breakfast here while watching the waves crash into the shore has to be one of the best ways to start a day.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Abu Dhabi, take the E11 towards Tarif and Mirfa. Take Exit 113 and follow signs to Jabel Dhanna Jetty, and then Sir Bani Yas Island. A 20-minute ferry boat ride takes you to the resort.
For African cuisine, Al Sahel has Savannah Grill & Lounge where, on Thursdays, guests can enjoy a traditional braai, but other days are equally great for steak and barbecued seafood – just be sure to arrive hungry as Savannah serves up big portions. We also tried the Arabic restaurant in Desert Islands Resort, which serves up mixed grills and hot mezze next to the hotel’s outdoor pool.
While this road trip might be one of the longest you’ll make while living in the UAE, it’s absolutely worth it. Sharing a vast island with fascinating animals normally seen only in faraway lands, as well as the calm ambience around the resorts, will have you returning to the city feeling reset and totally at peace.
q ananatara.com
WIN!
A MICHELIN DESSERT DINING EXPERIENCE
Chef René Frank’s food creations are full of surprises. His colourful career spans over 15 years, including his two-Michelinstarred restaurant Coda in Berlin – the first progressive dessert restaurant to be honoured in the Michelin Guide. For the first time, Chef Rene has partnered with FIVE Hotels & Resorts to present four exclusive dessert menu experiences in Dubai at The Penthouse, Maiden Shanghai, The Delisserie and Soul Street, and we’re offering you the chance to experience it, too.
You and three mates will enjoy stunning creations in the beautiful surroundings of Maiden Shanghai. Highlights on the artisanal menu include the ‘Century Egg’, a playful chocolate mousseinspired dish, and the almond and blueberry ‘Rice Bowl’.
WIN!
A NIGHT’S STAY IN A SUITE FOR TWO AT PARK REGIS KRIS KIN DUBAI
Experience a relaxed staycation at the Park Regis Kris Kin Dubai hotel, a stone’s throw from BurJuman. You’ll stay in a swanky two-bedroom suite with spectacular views of the city, and enjoy half-board packages. Stays are valid from June 1 to 30, and other T&C’s apply.
q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win
WIN!
DHS500 WORTH OF BILTONG, BOEREWORS, BURGERS AND MORE
Indulge in some meaty madness at South African store Lekker Meat Shop. The brand new halal butchers in Al Quoz opened at the end of April and serves a range of premium beef, lamb and chicken cuts, as well as South Africa’s finest meaty marvels. We’ve teamed up with the new venture to give away two vouchers worth Dhs500 each. Just think how many boerewors that’ll get you…
LASTMINUTE TRIP
Can the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers reach the heights of a fun family staycation?
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers has a reputation for delivering on its promise of luxury. With a huge portfolio of awardwinning restaurants, a spa, beach club and Gulf-facing infinity pool, it ticks a lot of those top holiday boxes. But how does it compare as a destination for families?
The location
Hollywood big-shots, the Etihad Towers represent some of the most cinematic components of Abu Dhabi’s spire-studded skyline. Found at the western edge of the Corniche’s golden shoreline, and just a short walk away from the Presidential Palace, these hyper-modern monoliths occupy capital real estate.
The look and feel
There’s nothing understated here. Opulence and splendor are deservedly on full and unashamed display from the lobby to the 74th floor observation deck. Design touches such as the grand artwork and marbled facades are clear markers of class, but there’s also a warmth to it. It’s an aspect mirrored in the service of the resort staff, who retained all professionalism even when faced with the decorum fail of a four-year-old skidding across the reception area in their socks.
The facilities
Gastronomy is a big reason to visit this hotel with 12 excellent restaurants and bars on site, and importantly most of them are actively family friendly. There’s a large dedicated children’s pool and a sheltered play area for the kids. Plenty of traditional bucket and spade fun can be had on the beach, and if parents need an escape, the spa has 13 treatment rooms.
The rooms
This is what really elevated the whole ‘family experience’ for us. We stayed in a King Premier Family Room with a View, and it was one of the best-equipped setups for kids and grown-ups as a unit we’ve experienced in the UAE. It’s separated into two bedrooms and sleeps up to five people in total. It also features a collection of engaging wooden toys, books (in English and Arabic) and games. The in-room tent was a bedtime gamechanger – it’s amazing how much easier the lights out tango becomes when choreographed to the beat of a (climate controlled) camping trip.
The food and drinks
The dozen varied restaurants at Conrad ensure that even the fussiest of palates are catered for. And what a collection of eateries it is — Nahaam, Li Beirut, Tori No Su, Sole, VaKaVa and more. It’s often the case that allday-diners become overshadowed by their glossier, nichey neighbours — but visiting Rosewater for breakfast was a hugely enjoyable family meal in its own right.
The room rates
The King Premier Family Room with a View is one of the higher room categories, but you can still find half-board stays from around Dhs1,350 (plus taxes, based on two adults and two children). Standard room types are available from as little as Dhs522 (plus tax, for two adults). a Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road. Tel: (0)2 811 5555. hilton.com
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