Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection is a luxury desert resort in the red dunes of Al Badayer, near Al Madam in central Sharjah, about 45 to 60 minutes by car from Dubai and Sharjah city. Owned by Shurooq and now also listed as Al Badayer, Sharjah Resort, it is designed like an old Arabian caravanserai and offers hotel rooms plus tented pool villas with one, two or three bedrooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant and desert activities such as dune bashing, camel rides and sandboarding. Room rates usually start from around AED 800 per night. Planning your trip? Contact White Sky Travel and Tourism on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 for flights, hotels and transfers, and pay with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments up to 12 months.
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Table of Contents
What is Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection?
Al Badayer Retreat is one of the boutique desert and nature retreats in the Sharjah Collection, the hospitality brand of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). Visit Sharjah describes it as a resort inspired by the ancient caravanserai, set among the desert dunes of central Sharjah, with a choice of private tents and traditional home style rooms. In July 2026, Shurooq appointed Minor Hotels, the group behind Anantara, to manage all seven Sharjah Collection properties, which is why the resort now also appears as Al Badayer Sharjah Resort.
You enter through an arched gateway into courtyards, a majlis and a small mosque, so the whole place feels like a warm Emirati home rather than a big hotel. It suits couples who want a quiet weekend, families who want space and a pool, and UAE residents looking for a desert staycation close to Dubai.
Where is Al Badayer Retreat located?
The retreat sits in the Al Badayer desert near Al Madam, in the central region of Sharjah, right next to Big Red, one of the best known sand dunes in the UAE. It is reached from the E44 Dubai Hatta Road, about 50 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport and around 40 to 45 minutes from Sharjah International Airport, depending on traffic. The address is Al Badayer Sharjah Resort, Al Madam, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
If you prefer not to drive, White Sky can arrange airport transfer services and private transfers from Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi.
Rooms and tented pool villas
The resort mixes classic rooms in the main building with tented villas that have their own plunge pools. Here is a simple overview of the room types currently offered.
| Room type | Beds | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Room or Deluxe Twin | Queen bed or two twin beds | Couples and friends on a short stay |
| Superior Room or Superior Twin | King bed or two twin beds | Couples who want a little more space |
| Tented Pool Villa | King bed with private pool | Romantic getaways and honeymoons |
| Deluxe Tented Pool Villa | Queen bed with private pool | Couples who want extra comfort |
| Two Bedroom Tented Pool Villa | King bed plus twin beds | Families of four |
| Three Bedroom Deluxe Tented Pool Villa | Queen bed plus four twin beds | Large families and small groups |
All rooms and villas have air conditioning, private bathrooms and Bedouin style décor with soft textiles and low cushions.
Al Badayer Retreat prices
Room rates at Al Badayer Retreat usually start from around AED 800 per night, while the tented pool villas cost more. Prices change with the season, weekends, UAE public holidays and the room type you choose. Winter months from November to March are the busiest, so book early for weekends.
Prices and timings may change, and T&C apply. For flights, hotels and transfers, contact White Sky on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133. You can also browse our UAE staycation deals for other weekend ideas.
Facilities and things to do at the resort
- Pools: an open air pool and an indoor pool, plus private pools in all 25 tented villas.
- Dining: Al Madam Restaurant for Arabic and international dishes, a lounge, and special dining experiences at the historic Al Bury Tower.
- Desert adventures: dune bashing, quad biking, sandboarding, camel rides, falcon encounters and paragliding when the weather allows.
- Leisure: archery, cycling, table tennis, outdoor movie nights, the Al Nadi Fitness Gym and a kids club.
- Culture: an amphitheatre for live events, a majlis and a small mosque inside the retreat, all watched over by Al Bury Tower.
- Connectivity: free WiFi is available, though the setting encourages you to slow down and switch off.
Check in, check out and house rules
- Check in starts from 3:00 PM and check out is until 12:00 PM.
- The main guest must be at least 18 years old, and you need a valid Emirates ID or passport at check in.
- Children of all ages are welcome. Children aged 12 and above are charged as adults, and extra beds carry a charge.
- Pets are welcome with a prior reservation, and only a limited number are allowed each night.
- Outside food and alcohol are not permitted.
- Flying drones needs a permit from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
Plan your trip with White Sky
White Sky Travel and Tourism can take care of the rest of your trip around your desert stay:
- Flights: flights to Dubai or Sharjah if you are visiting the UAE from abroad.
- Hotels: city hotels in Dubai, Sharjah or anywhere in the UAE before or after your desert stay.
- Transfers: private transfers between the airport, your city hotel and the desert.
- Easy payments: split the cost with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments up to 12 months.
Message us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 to plan your trip. Need a hotel somewhere else in the UAE or abroad? See our worldwide hotel bookings service.
Best time to visit Al Badayer Retreat
The best time to stay is from October to April, when days are warm and nights are cool and clear for stargazing. Desert nights between December and February can get cold, so pack a warm jacket. Summer is very hot, but the pools and air conditioned rooms make it a quiet escape, and the resort often runs summer staycation offers.
Is Al Badayer Retreat right for you?
This resort is perfect for a calm desert weekend, a family break with pools, or a romantic stay in a private pool villa. It is less suited to travellers who want malls and nightlife, and soft sand around the dunes can be hard for guests with limited mobility, so check the accessibility of your room type before you plan your stay.
Places to visit near Al Badayer Retreat
Central and eastern Sharjah has plenty to explore on a day out from the resort.
- Mleiha: visit the Mleiha Archaeological Centre to see Stone Age finds and ancient tombs, then watch the sunset near Fossil Rock.
- Desert camping: if you prefer a simpler camp, read our guide to Mleiha glamping.
- Al Dhaid: explore Al Dhaid Fort and the nearby date farms in this green oasis town.
- Wildlife: on the way back to the city, stop at Sharjah Desert Park to see Arabian wildlife and the natural history museum.
- Adventure: try off road tracks at XQuarry Adventure Park or hike around Jebel Faya.
Other Sharjah Collection retreats to explore
Al Badayer Retreat is part of a wider family of boutique stays that Shurooq runs across Sharjah. Moon Retreat sits in the Mleiha desert in the shadow of Fossil Rock, Al Faya Retreat is a small hideaway in Mleiha, Kingfisher Retreat overlooks the mangroves in Kalba on the east coast, and Najd Al Meqsar is a restored mountain village near Khor Fakkan. Each one gives you a different side of Sharjah, from desert to mountains and sea.
Related Articles
Planning more trips around Sharjah? These guides can help.
- Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah: Tickets, Timings and What to See
- Mleiha Glamping in Sharjah: Tents, Season, Activities and Tips
- Sharjah Desert Park: Wildlife Centre, Museum, Tickets and Timings
- Al Dhaid Fort in Sharjah: History, Timings and What to See
- XQuarry Adventure Park Sharjah: Off Road Tracks, Camping and Visitor Guide
- UAE Staycation Deals
- Worldwide Hotel Bookings
Frequently asked questions
Where is Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection?
Al Badayer Retreat is in the Al Badayer desert near Al Madam in central Sharjah, next to the Big Red dune on the E44 Dubai Hatta Road. The address is Al Badayer Sharjah Resort, Al Madam, Sharjah, and the drive takes about 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport.
How much does a night at Al Badayer Retreat cost?
Room rates usually start from around AED 800 per night, and tented pool villas cost more. Prices change by season and room type, and T&C apply.
What room types does Al Badayer Retreat offer?
The resort has 21 rooms, including Deluxe and Superior rooms, and 25 tented villas with private pools in one, two and three bedroom sizes.
Is Al Badayer Retreat good for families with children?
Yes. Children of all ages are welcome, and there is a kids club, indoor and outdoor pools and family villas with two or three bedrooms. Children aged 12 and above are charged as adults.
What activities can you do at Al Badayer Retreat?
Guests can enjoy dune bashing, quad biking, sandboarding, camel rides, falcon encounters, paragliding when the weather allows, archery, cycling and outdoor movie nights, plus the pools, gym and kids club.
Does Al Badayer Retreat have WiFi?
Yes, free WiFi is available at the resort, although the peaceful desert setting is ideal for switching off.
Are pets allowed at Al Badayer Retreat?
Yes, pets are welcome with a prior reservation, and only a limited number are allowed each night.
What are the check in and check out times?
Check in starts from 3:00 PM and check out is until 12:00 PM. The main guest must be at least 18 years old.
Can White Sky help me plan a trip to Al Badayer Retreat?
Yes. White Sky Travel and Tourism can arrange flights, hotels in Dubai or Sharjah and private transfers to the desert. You can pay with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments up to 12 months. Contact us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133.
How do I get to Al Badayer Retreat from Dubai?
Al Badayer Retreat is about 50 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport along the E44 Dubai Hatta Road, next to the Big Red dune. If you prefer not to drive, contact White Sky on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 to arrange a private transfer.
Conclusion
Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection brings heritage design, private pool villas and real desert calm together, all within an hour of Dubai. It is one of the easiest ways for UAE residents and visitors to enjoy a luxury desert escape without long travel. To make the rest of your trip simple, contact White Sky Travel and Tourism on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 for flights, hotels and transfers, and spread the cost with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments up to 12 months.
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