For travelers in search of breathtaking natural scenery, endless outdoor activities, and blue skies, deserts all over the world beckon. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the local culture or unwind with ancient wellness traditions, a desert resort can often provide a welcoming oasis in an otherworldly landscape.
These remarkable ecosystems are far from monolithic — deserts encompass everything from the golden dunes of the Middle East, the red rock canyons of the American Southwest and India’s vast, elemental terrain. Some of the best desert resorts in the world participate in Marriott Bonvoy, each shaped by local traditions and environments, making it easier than ever to match a desert escape to the mood, pace, and intention that feel right for you.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Middle East & North Africa
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Set within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, this UAE resort offers Bedouin-inspired luxury, with private pool villas and a full-service spa amid palms and dunes, all set against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. You might join a guided wildlife drive to find gazelles and foxes, ride a camel or an Arabian horse, or take a lesson in traditional Bedouin archery. Dine beside the dunes on a torchlight terrace, or enjoy an intimate picnic or barbecue in the open desert, relaxing beneath the stars.
The Ritz‑Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
This secluded Arabian retreat is found within the Wadi Khadeja, a 1,235-acre private nature reserve in the UAE’s Al Wadi Desert. Private pool villas reflect Bedouin design, with woven textiles and communal spaces, and open onto rolling dunes and acacia trees. Days might include horseback riding, falconry, archery, or guided wildlife walks to find the rare Arabian oryx. Indulge in fine cuisine at a bespoke barbecue under the stars or elevated local staples at the award-winning Farmhouse by Syrco. For complete relaxation, the spa’s tranquil progression of warm and cool baths completes the sense of refined isolation.
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi
Designed to evoke a luxe vision of a historic Bedouin mud-brick village, this family-friendly desert resort unfolds along quiet stone pathways linking guest rooms, suites, and private pool villas. Days might begin with playing at the Nojoomi Kids’ Club, then stretch into dune biking, camel treks, kid’s pony rides in the desert, or stargazing. When the pace slows, the Saray Spa offers a sauna, a salt room, a Turkish hammam, and more, while evenings often end with falconry displays or fireside Arabian tea under the desert sky.
Marriott Mena House, Cairo
Few desert resort locations can rival this address at the foot of Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza. Once a royal hunting lodge, the hotel pairs historic grandeur with modern hospitality, offering contemporary rooms and suites with stunning pyramid views. Mornings are spent exploring ancient wonders, and afternoons unfold by the pool or on shaded terraces. At dusk, candlelit dining turns the surrounding desert into a living museum.
United States
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Spread along the base of Camelback Mountain, this adobe-style resort has been a Sonoran Desert icon since the 1930s. Days revolve around championship golf, tennis, desert hikes, and poolside relaxation. The award‑winning spa draws on native botanicals from the surrounding desert, giving its wellness offerings a real sense of place.
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes
This striking resort is literally carved into the desert landscape. Multilevel pools and waterfalls are tucked into the rock, with pathways and lookout points that open to wide views across the Sonoran Desert. Hike nearby trails at Papago Park, explore Tempe Town Lake, or head out for sunrise desert walks. Then return to the resort to unwind poolside and watch the light shift over the Valley of the Sun.
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
Ownership by the Gila River Indian Community informs every aspect of this Phoenix, Arizona, resort, which reflects the heritage of the Pima (Akimel O’otham) and Maricopa (Pee Posh) people. Earth‑toned architecture, canal‑style waterways, and expansive desert views set the stage for guided cultural programs, horseback riding, and championship golf. Works by artists from the Gila River Indian Community adorn the resort, which features stunning views of the Sierra Estrella Mountains. Don’t miss dinner at KAI, which offers artfully plated, contemporary renditions of Indigenous culinary traditions.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
At this elegant desert retreat near Tucson, guest rooms open to sweeping views of saguaro‑studded hills and the rugged Tortolita Mountains. Fireside s’mores on the weekends, a huge water slide, and a Ritz Kids play center will entertain young children, while hiking trails and a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course will ensure grown-ups get their Vitamin D. Quiet terraces and a spa using local botanicals invite you to slow down and savor the high Sonoran Desert.
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
In the heart of the Coachella Valley, this sprawling Indian Wells resort balances social energy with laid‑back desert living. Mountain backdrops frame every outdoor space. The biggest resort pool in the Coachella Valley, tennis courts, and a full‑service spa encourage both activity and relaxation, and the kid-friendly Desert Glow Entertainment Zone features classic arcade games and on-site escape room. Close to Palm Springs yet distinctly its own, the resort offers a polished, playful take on modern desert leisure.
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Tucked into Summerlin on the edge of the Mojave Desert, this resort offers a calm counterpoint to the Strip’s busy pace. Manicured gardens, palm-shaded pathways, and a lagoon-style pool complex anchor the outdoor experience, while the full-service spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit. Dining here ranges from casual poolside fare to Italian classics, and nearby Red Rock Canyon provides easy access to hiking, cycling, and scenic desert drives.
India
Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa
Set on the edge of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is known as the “Golden City” for the way the sun glows on its sandstone architecture. With its ornate carved-sandstone details and sweeping desert views, this stylish resort fits right into its impressive surroundings. Experiences range from desert camel rides and cultural performances to indulging in traditional Rajasthani cuisine, and as night falls, starlit skies lend the resort an air of romance and timelessness.
The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa
Set amid sacred hills and open desert plains, this serene retreat draws on Pushkar’s centuries-old role as one of India’s most important pilgrimage towns, centered around its holy lake and Brahma Temple. Low-rise villas with private patios encourage indoor-outdoor living, while yoga sessions, meditation, and wellness rituals echo the town’s deep spiritual traditions. With silence, space, and soft desert light, the resort invites guests to slow down, restore balance, and reconnect.
Across continents and cultures, these desert resorts reveal the many moods of arid landscapes, from adventurous to restorative to quietly awe‑inspiring. In places where horizons seem to stretch on forever, luxury is defined not just by comfort, but by a sense of peace.
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