Weekend at Anantara Al Yamm Villas on Sir Baniyas Island, Abu Dhabi

UAE is a land replete with luxury resorts.

They all, more or less, offer an amazing five-star hospitality experience; try and out-do each other with theatrical architecture and interior design splendors; and wow their guests with lavish fine-dining buffets.

But Al Yamm Villas have something that sets them apart… 

You go to take a photo of a scrumptious dessert, and  HELLO!

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island

In fact, Al Yamm Villas is part of the wildlife conservation island of Sir Baniyas!

Basically, you are vacationing IN a wildlife reserve!

That’s 17,000 HELLOS like the one captured in the dessert photo above.

No other resort in the UAE can possibly match the location of Al Yamm Villas.

You start with a ferry ride – you won’t need your car on Sir Baniyas Island.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

At your villa, you are basically a royal guest.

The island was used exclusively by the Royal Family, and the conservation effort was started by the beloved late HH Sheikh Zayed.

The 30 villas of Al Yamm are one of three resorts, all managed by Anantara.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

The natural surroundings are peaceful, and you are at one with nature.

The sunset…

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

…rivals the sunrise.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

And the villas’ main reception and restaurant, as well as the villa itself, pamper you with all amenities.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)
weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)
weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

And your breakfast view can be from the terrace, facing the pool and the sea,

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

or indoors, in the dining hall.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (3)

But it is when you get outside that you realize just how special a stay at Al Yamm Villas really is.

Thanks to decades of conservation work and ecological investment, the island is home to thousands of large free-roaming animals and several million trees and plants. A bird sanctuary as well as a wildlife reserve, Sir Bani Yas showcases nature through activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking, snorkeling, and adventure safaris in custom-built Land Cruisers.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (4)
weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (4)
weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (4)

The safari tour is a highlight of your stay, and the professional guide is both knowledgeable and funny – Marliene brought her expertise and passion for animal conservation from South Africa.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (4)

And even at lunch you are close to nature!

Dining with gazelles

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir baniyas Island (4)

And the cheeky peacock of the dessert photo-shoot… did he or didn’t he?

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island

Oh , he sure did!

The dining is shared among the three resorts, and so your options are all first-class. 

An excellent example of the level of care that Anantara operates at,

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island

at Seafood Grill Night, not only are the freshest sea creatures prepared for your delight,

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island

but then also the cooking methods are at your service: grilled on natural coals, deep-fried on the spot, stir-fried at a dedicated live cooking wok station, or even deliciously baked in tanoor clay oven – all that at the beachside, plus a full-depth buffet, including a giant seafood paella platter and delicate fine-dining from appetizer to dessert!

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island

And so the experience is both invigorating as it is unique.

To observe a world-class wildlife conservation effort – which has already brought back species from the verge of extinction – while basking in the luxuries of a prestigious beach resort, is an experience second to none in the UAE.

And, I will add more, to live or visit the UAE and not venture out to Sir Baniyas Island for a weekend is simply unforgivable.

weekenduae Al Yamm Sir Baniyas Island