Name: Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Address: Al Wathba District, Abu Dhabi, 0, AE

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

Anzelika

Amazing hotel. Good breakfast. Spa and some parts of hotel needs a bit of renovation. Receptionist ladies were not too welcoming.

Self

8/10

Excellent

06 Dec 2025

Alexandria

I spent seven nights at Al Wathba Desert Resort, and while the property and service were truly exceptional, the value of the half-board package was a major disappointment. The staff were outstanding, some of the best service I've ever experienced, and made my birthday incredibly special with thoughtful touches, personalized desserts, and warm wishes throughout the day. Special thanks to Asanka, Samikshya, and Ishak for going above and beyond. The resort itself is peaceful, luxurious, and beautifully maintained, and housekeeping kept the room spotless and welcoming.

However, the half-board package cost $628 USD per person for seven nights (over $1,250 for two), which felt like very poor value. We essentially paid close to $100 daily for a single meal from a half-board menu that was much more limited than the regular menu, and the inconsistent food quality often resulted in us not finishing our dishes. In-room dining and the standard menu meals tasted significantly better but were not included, so we still spent 100s more in additional meals. There was also frequent confusion among staff about what the package covered, which became frustrating. If I return, I would absolutely not choose this package again. I also had some sanitation concerns with the breakfast buffet, as one section of uncovered food had multiple flies around it and staff nearby didn't intervene.

Overall, I had a relaxing and memorable stay, but the dining issues keep this from being a 5-star experience.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2025

Georges

Best hotel

Business

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

Marco

All amazing, will be back! :)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2025

Ahssan

outstanding if you want to get away

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2024

Jens

Lovely desert retreat close to Abu Dhabi

Quite relaxing desert resort. Fantastic getaway from Abu dhabi

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2024

Kahye

Perfect vacation in paradise

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2024

David

Brilliant stay. Perfect mix of quiet and things to do. Staff could not be more polite and helpful.
Dinner was fantastic every night. Incredibly good value for money resort.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2024

Kristine

Amazing experience all together.Beautiful rooms,service,food. Lots of things to do.Really romantic .It was our second time there, I’m looking forward to go back. Beautiful place to relax from the city life.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 May 2024

Paul

Superb stay. All Staff Brilliant.

Without question the best of the rest. All the Staff were superb and the facilities too. We will leave a full review in due course. Thank you Marriott and your Al Waftha team. Brilliant xx

As I said on an earlier review.. photos don't upload in the App. Will post on TA in due course.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 May 2024

Chun Lok

Excellent service with amazing environment. Staff were nice and helpful. We loved it.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2024

Linghe

Mabu is extremely helpful and kind to us when we are staying at Al Wathba Hotel! I arrived late and had to leave early. He gave up many helpful tips to catch the sunrise and made our trip extra awesome. I would come back again to this hotel if there’s a chance!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2024

Verified traveler

Beautiful venue with excellent service

We stayed for two nights and had an excellent stay. Service was very attentive yet discreet. Pool area is beautiful and the concierge goes out of his way to make the stay a memorable experience.
Spa area is good and so is the gym.
Only negative is the food which was a bit disappointing, we tried both restaurants and although OK, they did not leave any impression compared to other restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2023

Suzanne

This stay was peaceful, tranquil and away from it all but still close enough to taxi back and forth to Abu Dhabi for our Formula 1 event. The workout and spa facilities were amazing and we used them every day. The sunrise camel ride in the desert was absolutely a must do and provided us a beautiful experience. We witnessed a 120 on horse raise that was in progress. Truly an amazing and unique experience. I cannot say enough about the staff and management team. Thank you so much and we will be back.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2023

sedat

Excellent stay

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2023

Alexander

Beautiful Resort in desert surroundings, the room and property were well maintained, and everything looks brand new. The Italian restaurant is excellent, the pool is beautiful and the staff are all very attentive, the gym and spa are great. Overall a really good choice for a quiet and relaxing rest in a desert oasis.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2023

Tor

Wonderful weekend in the desert. Very nice and friendly staff.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2023

Mostafa

Wonderful

Surpassed my expectations, across 750+ hotel nights around the globe (400+ of them within Marriott Group), I have enjoyed one of our best stays ever.

Despite it was a one-night stay, celebrating a family occasion, we needed it to be perfect and memorable, and it was, Thanks to the diligence, enthusiasm, and exceptional teamwork of the entire resort team, I witnessed a fantastic team spirit to make us feel comfortable and well cared for, it was exceeding the highest hospitality & quality standards I have experienced before

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2023

Helene

Vk

Service in the facility from all staff was amazing they went out of their way to accommodate to make sure we’re enjoying every moments. The place is perfect in its location it’s design cleanness it’s just perfect. The resort was the highlight of my trip. Well recommend. Guest hospitality manager abdulhakim surprised us with exceptional cheese platter as a compliment.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2022

Dustin James

This is the second time I've stayed here, but before that, I had gone for the day to use the pool a handful of times. This is a great weekend escape from Abu Dhabi, the service and amenities are wonderful, and its proximity to Abu Dhabi is much closer then some of the other resorts way out in the middle of nowhere. I always love my time here.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2022

Verified traveler

Most amazing desert resort

It was amazing. The resort was breathtaking, the grounds were well maintained, the food was delicious, the staff were extremely friendly, and the room was one of the most beautiful and comfortable. We are looking forward to returning.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Dec 2021

Marcel

Lovely location, choice of activities from the premises, room very good, pool and surrounding vicinity also very good, reception could be warmer for this quality of hotel. A bit out of the regular tourist route but worth the short drive from Abu Dhabi (45 -50 minutes)

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Nov 2021

Celine Anne

The hotel was one of the nicest I have ever stayed in, absolutely beautiful, and the service was the best of any hotel I have stayed in

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2021

Syed Murtaza

My Birthday trip

It is one of the best resorts I have visited. My family loved it and we will definetely visit it again.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

06 Jan 2021

Aniket

Local Staycation

Good stay. Special mention to Ginu Sam, Umaima, Aizada and Rakesh. Made our stay special. Ggood property and a good choice for a local staycation!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Dec 2020

Verified traveler

Amazing property with well trained courteous staff . Italian restaurant is quite good but breakfast place is awesome. Fantastic pool area with good area for smaller kids to play in the water. Rooms are luxurious with nice patio area

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2020

Amit

Phenomenal stay, Excellent service and beautiful surroundings.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2020

Khawla

Classy and joyful experience.

It was a dream come true stay. The hotel was so quiet, clean and luxurious.
The ambience was great.
I like walking in the dessert.
The braekfeast was soo good.
The staff are so cooperative.
Overall the experience was amazing.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2020

Ali Ismail

Serene experience

The villa was amazing. Very spacious and beautifully designed. The view from the outdoors pool is so serene. The bath tub is the largest I have seen. The resort is so calm and peaceful. The service was exquisite. Hakeem, a very sweet butler treated us very specially. He elevated the experience by leaving us sweet jotes and yummy treats in the villa. Shakeel from the catering team was also very nice. Its the perfect get away in UAE.

Partner

2/10

Poor

06 Dec 2020

Nerissa

A series of unfortunate events.

Day 1:
Check in went smoothly but our stay went downhill from there.

The receptionist made reservations for our group to have sunset drinks but when we showed up, our reservations could not be found.

We then went to dinner at their Italian restaurant, they missed my friend’s starter and my main course. The food was abysmal and seafood wasn’t fresh. We asked them to split the bill between all our rooms, which they failed to do.

When we retired to our rooms for the night, my room didn’t have hot water running in the bath tub and the AC wouldn’t go below 21 degrees Celsius. Our friends room was blowing a gale and the AC could not be turned down, they had to change rooms.

Day 2:
There was lipstick on my coffee cup at breakfast which is pretty appalling given the Covid situation.

When we showed up for dinner, our reservations could not be found again despite the waiter confirming it at breakfast.

We were moved to a better room given the hotel’s stuff up but the doorbell was faulty and would not stop ringing on its own.

Our friends were also told by the manager that their dinner would be ‘sorted’ but on check out, hotel said they meant that dinner reservation would be taken care of. Either way, they failed to to take care of reservations or make dinner complimentary.

Day 3:
Items missed on our order at breakfast again.
At check out, bill was wrong as they failed to split our dinner bill between the rooms as noted on the bill signed by us.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2020

Abdul Rahman

Great stay.. staff are so friendly and helpful. Food is really good. Prices are not so high. 20% discount if you have Marriott membership

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2020

Shubham

A perfect getaway

The stay was simply amazing. All the staff were extremely courteous. The room was spacious and very neat, the pool was temperature controlled and huge....the restaurant and the pool sode bar served sumptuous food and lovely drinks.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2020

Verified traveler

Nice hotel

It was a pleasant stay overall. We paid extra to get a desert view room but there wasn’t anything special about it.
We were celebrating our anniversary and they welcomed us with rose petals on the beds and a piece of cake that me and my husband shared, that was a lovely gesture.
The kids had a lot fun in the splash pad and the kiddie pool, there’s also a slide but the lifeguard was trying to help my daughter slide and getting too close to her, that made us uncomfortable. We had dinner at the international restaurant. Food was good but again nothing special. The waitress was very nice but she kept getting too close to my babies and that made me very uncomfortable. They are supposed to keep social distance.
Not sure if we would go back. Were offered a late check out (6pm) which worked out nicely.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Nov 2020

carmen

Simply wonderful

It was actually amazing. The only minor buts were related to temporary conditions: ie construction activities around the pool or the temporary - popup restaurant opening which were a little bit below expectations but fir the rest was a very stunning experience

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2020

Rakesh

Exceptional service

I don't think I can rate our stay high enough. From the start when booking to check in to all of the staff we had a fantastic stay. Everyone went above and beyond to make sure my 1 year old had the best time. The room was great but what really made the stay was the phenomenal service. Great work by the team and we will definitely be coming back.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2020

Tanja

Overall resort is hotel is very nice. We booked deluxe room with desert view, but not much desert to see and stable was next to us. Rooms are descent size, we’ll equipped. Due to COVID-19, SPA and other facilities are closed, only one restaurant is open and they have shorter version of menu but food was very good. There is no buffet breakfast, only made to order and we didn’t miss a thing.
Regarding pool and pool area I was so disappointed because it’s bit dirty, birds poo floating in the pool, leaves, alge and some plastics.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

06 Sep 2020

Vera Giorgia

Lovely Resort, few issues as the Hotel just opened

The Hotel just opened on the 1st Sept ! Congratulations as its a very nice and lovely Resort.
On arrival we were greeting on the outside main door entrance, it was a very nice touch.
When collecting our room key, reception staff asked me to pay again the accommodation, even if was already paid in advance by Hotels.com
Room are exceptional, very luxurious and extremely clean with all the comfort necessary.
Pool bar staff very nice and helpful, however found the pool could be better cleaned.
Restaurant menu and service must improve as not for 5 star hotel, also 1 restaurant not enough, as the Italian Restaurant and Roof Bar still closed.
The F&B manager was exceptional, to help to rectify the kitchen and service issues and to make it extra special for us, as it was my husband birthday. We will definitely come back in the future and we hope that the problems will be resolved.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2020

Amitis

Nice weekend getaway

The staff very nice and helpful . We got upgrade . Swimming pool very nice and area is peaceful . Horses are well kept and looked after . Really nice and enjoyable watching them .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2020

Quentin

Amazing property, beautiful pool and spa with gym is stunning! The place is very remote in the dunes, but makes it a great experience. Only thing I would say is the place is almost too big and too many rooms and felt empty...

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Oasis in the desert worth staying!

The rooms, environment, service were excellent. An oasis in the middle of the desert is truly an unforgettable life experience! They also offer guests a free private falcon show. Check the timings with the reception. I regretted staying for only 1 night.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2019

fatma

It was a very nice resort, I highly recommend it for families

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2026

Keon

Amazing hotel. The pool is the best pool ive been to so far. Great for children but also adults. Staff are friendly and very unqiue layout. Not ultra luxury - more refined.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2026

Mauricio

Tudo perfeito

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2026

Yasuki

スタッフの対応が丁寧で非常に良かった

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2025

Loris A.

Wir haben zehn fantastische Tage in diesem grossartigen Resort verbracht und können es uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen.

Als Gäste der Villa Nr. 5 wurden wir vom ersten bis zum letzten Tag von der gesamten Crew – vom Management über das Restaurant-, Sport- und Poolteam bis hin zu den Roomkeepern – herzlichst betreut und begleitet.

Unser besonderer Dank gilt grundsätzlich allen Mitarbeitenden, insbesondere dem umsichtigen Restaurant Manager Mohammed, Khin Hlaing (F&B Supervisor), den herausragenden Herren Majed Hawamdeh (Assistant Restaurant Manager) sowie dem ebenso exzellenten Chefkoch Suman. - Die Aufzählung ist nicht abschliessend und soll unsere aufrichtige Dankbarkeit zum Ausdruck bringen.

Als Vielreisende mit Erfahrung in zahlreichen, wunderbaren Hotels an entsprechend schönen Lagen, dürfen wir sagen: Das Erlebte hat unsere Erwartungen übertroffen.

Nochmals ein herzliches Dankeschön an alle – für alles!

Eure Familie Landolt

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2025

Corinne

Das Resort ist ca 60km von Abu Dhabi gelegen und super ausgestattet. Servicepersonal sehr freundlich und bemüht (wir hatten mit 2 Zimmer Villa sogar einen eigenen Butler- Asanka). Qualität der Speisen exzellent.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2025

Mert

Het was een mooie vakantie

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

29 Aug 2025

JANSON

Cet hôtel ne devrait pas avoir 5 étoiles. Le personnel est

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2025

Akbar

Hva er det å ikke like her? Hotellet var fantastisk, ansatte her var noen av de mest fantastiske menneskene som er alltid klare for å hjelpe uansett hva situasjonen er. Prathab, Faris, Madu, Akash og absolutt alle her viser virkelig hva god service er! Må ikke glemme selve housekeeping teamet som overrasket oss med blomster på senga og nye overraskelser hver gang. Maten her var enkelt, men noe av de beste jeg har spist. Pizza BIANCANEVE var enkel, men beste pizzaen jeg har smakt! Kompliment til kokken! Så hvis du ikke vil ha en fantastisk opplevelse i et hotell som er helt magisk, med gode ansatte som er alltid der for å få deg til å føle deg
spesiell og spise noe av det beste italienske maten så bør du ikke dra hit!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2025

Diego

Hotel perfeito no meio do deserto.

Partner