Unique Staycations in the UAE

Staycations in the UAE have evolved beyond simple hotel breaks into adventurous escapes that feel worlds away from everyday life.

Across the Emirates, mountain cabins rise above the clouds, and desert domes glow beneath star-filled skies. These unique staycations are destinations in themselves, designed to immerse you in nature, atmosphere, and adventure.

Whether you crave solitude, adrenaline, or the unexpected, the UAE is packed with one-of-a-kind weekend retreats. From rugged peaks to silent dunes, the best staycations in UAE begin the moment you arrive.

Bear Grylls Explorers Camp - Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah

High in the Hajar Mountains, where the air is cooler and the world feels far away, Bear Grylls Explorers Camp on Jebel Jais Mountain delivers one of the Middle East’s most distinctive stays.

This is not a hotel; it is an experience shaped around exploration, resilience, and connection with nature. Purpose-built cabins and tents overlook dramatic valleys, opening onto sweeping views across Ras Al Khaimah’s rugged terrain.

Days are spent hiking wild mountain trails, learning survival skills, and navigating the natural environment at a slower, more intentional pace. Evenings glow with campfires, stargazing, and deep quiet, where mountains fade into shadow, and the sky takes over.

With courses tailored to all adventure-seeking levels, for those seeking truly unique stays in the UAE, this is the benchmark. More than a staycation, it is a reset.

Camp 1770, Ras Al Khaimah

Rising above the clouds at 1,770 metres, Camp 1770 offers a high-altitude escape. It is the highest camp in the UAE, where the sun rises over the Indian Ocean and sets over the Arabian Sea, with views sweeping across Oman and Ras Al Khaimah.

Camp 1770 is available exclusively for group bookings, with a minimum of ten guests, making it the perfect staycation for families, friends, and private gatherings.

Here, your day could look something like this: yoga as the sun rises, hikes with experienced mountain guides, and evenings centred around shared meals and time. At night, settle around the campfire beneath open skies, a hot cup of karak complementing the crisp mountain air, creating a sense of true escape from the city below.

For travellers exploring the most memorable staycations, Camp 1770 stands out as one of the most compelling unique stays in the UAE, designed to be experienced together.

Al Maha Desert Resort - Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

Tucked deep within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha stands as one of the UAE’s most iconic desert escapes. Hosting a Spa, fine dining facilities, and unique wildlife/nature activities, luxury blends seamlessly into the landscape itself.

Stay in a private pool villa which opens directly onto the sands. Here, gazelles roam freely, and sunsets blanket the desert in amber and rose. Experiences are woven into the stay: guided nature drives, falconry, camel treks, and walks across the dunes at dusk.

This is desert luxury at its most refined. For travellers searching for unique staycations in UAE that feel cinematic and deeply peaceful, Al Maha remains unmatched.

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

For those dreaming of island life without leaving the UAE, Sir Bani Yas offers a remarkable escape. This protected island off the coast of Abu Dhabi is home to free-roaming wildlife, white-sand beaches, and multiple Anantara resorts, each offering a different atmosphere.

Unwind on guided safari drives, kayak through mangroves, or relax on secluded shores. Wake in a reserve where the rare Arabian Oryx still roam, offering a fleeting glimpse of a species on the edge of extinction.

It feels remote, exotic, and far removed from the mainland. As unique stays in UAE go, Sir Bani Yas Island stands apart for its blend of nature, conservation, and coastal luxury.

Moon Retreat, Sharjah

Tucked within Sharjah’s Mleiha region, Moon Retreat offers one of the most distinctive glamping experiences in the UAE. Luxury tents and domes are spaced across the open desert, framed by rugged mountain backdrops, many with their own temperature-controlled pools.

Each dome or tent is self-contained, air-conditioned, and equipped with private bathrooms, terraces, and BBQ facilities. The design blends into the landscape, creating a retreat that feels remote without sacrificing comfort.

Instead of a traditional restaurant, meals arrive in curated bags, ready to be cooked on your deck, an experience that feels personal and unhurried. Evenings centre on stargazing, outdoor movie nights, and desert stillness, while days invite you to explore gentle hiking routes and archaeological sites.

If you’re seeking unique staycations in UAE that offer real privacy and a sense of place, Moon Retreat shows how desert glamping can be both refined and grounded in its surroundings.

Mina Al Arab Resorts, Ras Al Khaimah

Stretching across a private peninsula between a sheltered lagoon and the open Arabian Gulf, Mina Al Arab has quietly become one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most distinctive resort zones.

It is a purpose-built coastal enclave where modern resorts sit among mangroves, beaches, and calm inlets, offering a style of stay that feels removed from the pace of the city.

Are you looking for a beachfront room, overwater villa or pool retreat? You’ll find any of the above here, all designed to make the most of light, space, and water.

Days revolve around swimming, lagoon kayaking, beach walks, and spa rituals. Dining spans everything from casual seaside plates to destination-led restaurants.

Despite the scale, the area retains a sense of order and quiet. Resorts are spaced, views remain open, and the peninsula itself feels contained.

For those looking for unusual places to stay in the UAE or planning luxury staycations in UAE that go beyond the familiar Dubai shoreline, Mina Al Arab offers a compelling alternative. It stands among the country’s most unique staycations in UAE: coastal, considered, and applauded as much by its setting as by the resorts that occupy it.

What Makes These the Best Staycations in the UAE?

The most memorable staycations in UAE share a few defining qualities:

• They place you in a new environment

• They offer experiences, not just accommodation

• They disconnect you from routine

• They invite exploration or reflection

• They feel like travel, not convenience
  

Whether you are climbing mountain trails on Jebel Jais, watching wildlife on an island safari, or sitting beneath desert stars, these escapes deliver something far beyond a weekend away.

They transform how you experience the country.

Start Planning Your Escape

The UAE is filled with extraordinary places that challenge the idea of what a staycation can be. From mountain summits to desert heartlands and island shores, these are experiences that feel far removed from everyday life.

The standout Staycation destination has to be Ras Al Khaimah. With the wild heights of Jebel Jais, the immersive adventure of Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, and a growing collection of nature-led resorts, the emirate has become the home of truly unique staycations in UAE.

If you are ready to trade routine for adventure, comfort for connection, and ordinary weekends for unforgettable stories, your next escape is closer than you think.