Dry, desolate and delightfully empty, deserts offer an unmatched escape from the noise of modern life. With vast expanses of sand, endless star-filled skies and a sense of serene isolation, they’re ideal for those looking to reconnect with nature. From luxurious Bedouin tents to chic spa retreats, our well-travelled team have ranked 25 of the best desert hotels in the world, including opulent resorts and adventurous glamping experiences.
Click through this gallery to discover our list of 25 desert hotels to add to your bucket list...
La Serena Villas, a gem in the heart of Palm Springs, was originally built in 1933 and lovingly restored as part of the Kirkwood Hotel Collection. This boutique oasis is set against the stunning backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains and offers beautifully designed King, Luxe and Spa Villas, each featuring private patios complete with fire pits and outdoor soaking tubs. Guests can unwind by the pool with panoramic desert views, indulge in treatments at the spa or savour contemporary flavours at Azúcar, the on-site restaurant boasting a chic rooftop bar.
Surrounded by sand dunes in the Inland Sea, The Outpost places an emphasis on getting guests back to nature while not compromising on comfort. The 21 lodges feature private pools and a slick design with lots of glass, clean white colour schemes, rainfall showers and terraces with swings. Everyone from honeymooners to families are catered for, and experiences include hot air ballooning, stargazing and guided nature walks in the desert.
Wildlife watching and stargazing get an extraordinary twist at Camp Sossus in the Namib Desert. The remote camp comprises six tented rooms, each with sweeping views across the vast flat plains, home to home to zebras, giraffes, oryx, springboks, bat-eared foxes and leopards. The open-air 'star beds' are perfect for admiring the twinkling night skies, and children aged 12 and older are welcome.
Nestled in the stunning desert landscape of Moab, Utah, ULUM Moab excels at luxury glamping with its safari-inspired Suite Tents. Each tent features a plush king-size bed, cosy wood-burning stove, private deck and ensuite bathroom with a rain shower. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Canyonlands National Park, the resort also offers hot and cool dipping pools and a full-service restaurant serving dishes inspired by the flavours of the Southwest.
Fancy staying at a palatial hotel that looks like a fairy-tale sandcastle? Enter Suryagarh, whose beautiful walls rise above the desert city of Jaisalmer, nicknamed the 'Golden City' for its iconic yellow sandstone architecture. Unwind with yoga classes, guided chanting and meditation sessions, or take a dip in the rooftop pool with sweeping desert views. Wander through the lush gardens where peacocks roam, before dining at the hotel’s restaurant, where traditional Marwari dishes are crafted using the finest local ingredients.
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The Ritz-Carlton in the Al Wadi Desert epitomises Arabian luxury, with Bedouin-inspired villas featuring private pools and the opulent Al Sarab Tented Villa offering lavish living spaces, a fire pit with desert views and a private butler. Guests can rejuvenate at the spa, join yoga classes, or embrace adventure with falconry, archery, desert biking, horseback riding and stargazing under the Arabian sky.
The personalised service is standout at this cosy hotel, located in one of the world's most arid places, the immense Atacama Desert. Guests here get their own guide and 4x4 vehicle for tailored excursions, which include breakfast at the foot of the Andean mountains and a guided astronomy trip (look out for the rings of Saturn). The fine-dining restaurant emphasises local cuisine, such as the sweet fruit of the Chilean chañar tree.
Situated on a 100-acre private estate, The Serai is a true oasis in the desert, with a tranquil pool, relaxing spa and palatial rooms. The hotel also has eco-friendly credentials – its organic farm and dairy have a 'no plastic' policy and staff run conservation initiatives in the local community. Royal tented suites feature polished wood floors and colourful throws, and spa treatments take place in enclosed gardens. Guests can dine alfresco to the sound of Manganiyar (a Muslim community in Rajasthan) musicians.
There’s luxury galore at this tented hotel in the heart of the Omani desert. Spread over 17 acres, it’s made up of 50 individual tents featuring plush interiors and panoramic vistas over golden sands. Expect elaborate lighting, intricately carved furniture and sumptuous bedspreads. For an unforgettable experience, visit the one-of-a-kind sand spa, where a soothing massage is followed by a rejuvenating bath in warm, mineral-rich sand. It’s the ultimate desert escape, designed to leave you feeling completely pampered and revitalised.
Tucked away in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha is a secluded retreat offering sweeping views of the endless sand dunes. Guests can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the reserve with binoculars provided in every room or tap into their creative side with an easel and art materials to capture the desert’s stunning landscape. The one-bedroom Bedouin suites elevate the experience with private pools and custom-made beds, creating an oasis of comfort you won't want to leave.
Just an hour from the vibrant streets of Marrakech, this serene escape feels like a world apart, with private tents set against a backdrop of rolling dunes and a tranquil lagoon pool. The tents immerse guests in the spirit of Berber nomadic life, yet come equipped with modern comforts like electricity, rattan light fixtures, and ensuite bathrooms. Adventure abounds with activities such as quad biking, camel trekking and dune buggying, making Inara Camp a perfect balance of cultural immersion and high-energy fun.
The adults-only Casa Cook is a beachfront hotel in Egypt’s El Gouna desert town with tranquility and simplistic luxury in spades. There’s a pared-back feel, with earthy tones, rustic wooden features and minimalist furnishings. Accommodation ranges from standard twin rooms to villas with private pools. After a day exploring the local diving sites or kitesurfing, the spa is just the place to unwind, offering an array of treatments like deep-release massages and healing hammams.
Vintage trailers, Mongolian yurts and Native American-style tipis take centre stage at this 21-acre nomadic hotel in Marfa, Texas. Situated in the high desert plains, the hotel boasts sweeping views of wide-open landscapes that are perfect for adventure-seekers and free spirits. Guests can gather around barbecues in the communal outdoor kitchen, sway in the hammock grove, or soak tired muscles in wood-fired hot tubs under the starlit sky. Culture is king here, with Marfa's reputation as an international arts Mecca just a bike ride away.
Located along the original pilgrimage route to Mecca, the 96 minimalist villas at Habitas AlUla are scattered throughout a canyon beneath honey-coloured cliffs. The hotel features a stunning infinity pool that seems to blend seamlessly into the rugged landscape, and a restaurant that serves up fresh, locally-sourced dishes like roasted fish with olive tapenade and seasonal vegetables. In true Saudi Arabian fashion, the bar menu is all about mocktails, making it ideal for a refreshing desert detox. Guests can further elevate their stay with yoga sessions beneath the towering cliffs or indulge in spa treatments featuring custom-blended oils.
Foodies will love this 200-room, desert-meets-beach hotel in Cabo San Lucas, one of Mexico's most popular luxury destinations. The world-famous Nobu cuisine is served in five restaurants and six bars – don’t miss the signature dishes: rock shrimp tempura and miso black cod. Hollywood star Robert De Niro helped design the hotel, which blends Japanese minimalism with Mexican materials and features four pools, a spa and a nearby golf course designed by Tiger Woods.
A brilliant choice for both adventure-seekers and spa-lovers, this resort's fortress-like architecture, featuring turrets rising from the flame-coloured dunes, creates a striking presence in the vast desert landscape. Guests can enjoy activities such as dune bashing and fat biking, or unwind with alfresco Thai massages and rhassoul body wraps at the on-site spa. The plush rooms are adorned with oriental rugs and marble ensuites, while family pool villas provide private gardens with palm trees and expansive desert views.
For a desert experience with a cowboy slant, the Mustang Monument ranch in Nevada has you covered. This eco-resort is dedicated to protecting America's mustangs, providing guests with an immersive experience in the heart of the American West. Accommodations include safari cottages and high-end tipis, each adorned with handmade tapestries, hardwood floors and custom-made furniture, reflecting the rustic elegance of the region. Guests can enjoy activities such as picnicking on mountaintops and guided hikes to observe the wild mustangs that roam the expansive 900-square-mile (2,331sqkm) ranch.
Ideal for couples and families alike, this secluded tented camp sits in Oman’s Wahiba Sands, just a two-hour drive from the capital Muscat, and immerses guests in its ochre dunes, craggy mountains and tranquil wadis. The colour scheme is bold – scarlet cushions and curtains here, teal ceiling canopies there. It’s a brilliant base for exploring the desert, particularly for dune bashing and sand boarding trips, which the hotel can organise. The Two Dune Restaurant serves Arabic cuisine, best eaten alfresco under the stars.
Located in Dubailand, Al Yufra, Terra Solis is a chic desert oasis with extravagant decor. Opened in December 2022, this luxurious escape is inspired by the magic of constellations, and offers three distinct accommodation styles: the spacious Polaris bell tents, the stylish Perseid lodges and the opulent Orion pool lodges. Dining here is an experience in itself – Mesa restaurant serves delectable Mediterranean dishes by the pool, perfect for a leisurely meal under the sun, while Sala shisha lounge provides cosy nooks for unwinding and watching the breathtaking desert sunset.
Longitude 131° offers an unparalleled glamping experience in Australia's Red Centre, featuring 16 luxurious tented pavilions with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Each pavilion is equipped with an ensuite bathroom and a canopy roof, with select accommodations boasting private plunge pools. The lodge is committed to sustainability, utilising renewable energy sources and designed to be entirely removable, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding red sand dunes.
At Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs, wellness is the star of the show. This adults-only oasis is built around natural hot springs, where mineral-rich waters (thankfully free from unpleasant sulphur smells) flow in and out of the serene pools. Discovered back in 1857, the springs have since transformed into a luxurious escape where relaxation and rejuvenation are key. Guests can enjoy a digital detox in individually designed rooms and suites, while sunrise yoga, nourishing breakfast açaí bowls, deep-tissue massages and stargazing under the desert sky complete the holistic experience.
For a dramatic, secluded desert setting, the Amangiri is hard to beat. Poised on the border between Arizona and Utah, it sprawls over 900 acres of red-rock country, within striking distance of Lake Powell. With a design inspired by the rugged nature of the surrounding landscape, accommodation options range from one-bedroom pavilions with private plunge pools (perfect for couples) to family-friendly 'homes'. All feature pared-back style and muted colours that accentuate the views. Wellness is on tap – think spa treatments and yoga.
Topping our list in the number one spot is this gem. King-sized beds can be rolled out onto private decks for a night under the stars at Onduli Ridge, a six-suite property in the Namibian desert. The location is stellar, and guests can gaze at the country’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, alongside spectacular granite inselbergs (a type of isolated rock formation). Run on solar power, the hotel has its own watering hole for wildlife viewing, plus open-air bathrooms with rain showers. Children will love the fun pizza evenings and the pool.