Before we even start, the Tilal Liwa Hotel is a desert resort, and as such it is quite far from the city – surrounded by the deep red sands of the Empty Quarter.

And when you take a drive to the far end of the tarmac, you want to look out of the hotel and see this car’s profile: waiting patiently for your need – the BMW X5.

The BMW X5 is a luxury SUV that has been in production since 1999. In its latest version, a 450 hp V8 petrol engine flies you down the highway, while inside you are cocooned in sweet luxury. One of the most impressive highway drives I have experienced!

And the Tilal Liwa Hotel reflects the same level of comfort and hospitality.

And you are welcome to walk straight out of the swimming pool area and into the dunes.

While Tilal Liwa offers many sorts of outdoors activities, from horse and camel riding, to quad bikes, to mountain bikes, and more; the hotel itself is a delight – its architecture and decor synergistically wrap around you making you feel you’ve been transported to a different world.

But here is the best part!

We found the restaurant at Tilal Liwa to be the resort’s best-kept secret.

The ambience is magical, but it just serves to pique the curiosity – will the cuisine be up to par?

Happily, the answer is a resounding YES!

Chef Ajith Matharage and Sous Chef Mohammed Imtiaz delighted our palates from appetizer to dessert.

Over the weekend, we had 5 meals, with no repetition, with an abundance of choice, actually; and the buffet dishes were of excellent quality. This was Tilal Liwa’s best feature, and a surprise for us, as we expected something a bit more ‘provincial’ given the location in the desert!

Excellent live grilling!

And at night, after dinner – complete relaxation…

Remember this resort, for when you need a break, or want to experience the desert of the UAE: Tilal Liwa Hotel rules the sands!

The Tilal Liwa Hotel is easy to find and access, here is an interactive map:

View Tilal Liwa Hotel in a larger map and download the GPS track coordinates here.

Tilal Liwa Hotel is part of the Danat group, comprising a portfolio of upscale UAE hotels offering a selection of luxury city and resort properties.