On a dedicated Al Khatem plot in Al Ain, deep in Abu Dhabi’s heritage heartland, the Arabian Nights Village harnesses the soul and essence of old Arabia.
Conceived to give visitors a chance to experience the mythical and timeless beauty of the desert and traditional Emirati life, the Arabian Nights Village is not a hotel, but by no means a rustic camp.
Although internet is available for emergencies, there are no televisions on-site, inviting the guests to enjoy an authentic, serene experience. The village – for all its traditional practises – utilises a mix of ancient and futuristic technologies to ensure everything runs smoothly and, vitally, sustainably.
The Heritage Villages utilises the area’s natural resources, with a specialist water treatment facility extracting and treating water on-site. Drinking water comes from a 65 metre deep well. The village also uses treated waste water to irrigate trees and its landscaped gardens.
The site is powered by four sound-proofed generators and there are three types of room available, Beit Al Barr, traditional mud houses of the desert, Beit Al Bahr, the original houses of Emirati sea-dwellers which are made from palm fronds, and Beit Shaar, or woven tents.
There is also an idyllic 200m² swimming pool – the ideal place to cool down after a spot of dune bashing, quad biking, sand surfing or falconry.
For more information or to book, please visit
www.arabiannights.ae
Desert driving lessons
Buckle up and prepare for a true Abu Dhabi experience: taming the dunes. Qualified instructors run 4x4 desert driving lessons three times a week, with overnight guests being given a 15 minute complimentary introduction to the art of driving across Al Katem’s huge dune landscape. Non-residents can also book lessons.