Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara

Ashita Chandy

Anantara is often associated with luxury, but Desert Islands falls short of this expectation. While the overall experience was pleasant, it lacked the luxurious touch. A special summer offer provided good value for the stay. The staff were generally friendly and welcoming, though at times their attentiveness felt excessive. Restaurant staff frequently interrupted to inquire about the meal, often rushing to clear plates, mistaking pauses as a sign of completion. Visiting during the week is ideal when it’s quieter, as the hotel seems to struggle with high occupancy. Food options are limited, with several menu items unavailable. Recommended activities include kayaking and a safari, either on foot for those seeking adventure or otherwise. For an improved experience, the hotel could enhance service quality by hiring more staff to manage guest volume and train them to offer excellent customer service without frequent interruptions during meals. The spa services were impressive, though service was slow due to only one therapist being available. The treatments were relaxing, and despite the therapist's limited English proficiency, they were skilled. It will be interesting to see the property's transformation after the renovation.

Eric Meulien

An aging resort that needs some renovations. Food is average and rooms are fine. The pool is large and beautiful. The restaurants are the most in need of upgrades and care. Service is excellent. The spa service impeccable but without all the small extras you may find in most luxurious Anantara locations. Overall a great place to. Be aware that reservations to the other locations will be move to this resort as there are limited service and much construction in other locations.

Dainius G.

It’s very nice location as it is on the island and it’s not accessible by a car. The hotel facing directly to the see with no obstructions. However still lots of works going on here, i.e. beach works, room renovations, Amwaj Restaurant renovation. Only one Lebanese Restaurant in the Hotel and another one in the other african resort Savannah Restaurant. So not much to choose from. Even Soup of the day in each restaurant was Tomato Soup both evenings which doesn’t really make it Soup of the day, does it? Anyway, we do understand it’s an island and probably they serve whatever they have available when they have a certain stock available on the island. Rooms very spacious but feels aged. Great balconies with two beach chairs which is convenient if you just wanna lay in the balcony and admire the view or listen to the sound of the see. Very relaxing. The most interesting part of this stay that you see animals around like Ghazals or Hyrax everywhere. Also they have a great Safari during the day which was amazing as we saw many types of animals: Ghazals, Deers, Oryxes, Giraffes, Ostriches, Hyraxes etc. Safari is highly recommended. That was the main reason we came for. It was our wedding anniversary as well, that was another reason, however hotel didn’t manage to arrange anything for this occasion even though we mentioned it at the time of booking. Overall, we recommend to stay in this hotel at least once, preferably for two night so you have one full day to stay as you’ll lose a lot of time for traveling, taking a boat, a ride from boat to the hotel etc. They’re still working on a lot of changes so we’ll be surely coming back in a year or two.

Tyra Zaneta Yah

Had such a lovely and peaceful time at this resort! Although the hotel is older and could do with a bit of a facelift, the location, service, and spacious rooms really made up for it. Breakfast was fresh and have to say that the staff was exceptionally friendly and kind (especially Mr. Elly from reception). Pleased with my stay and would definitely come back (but hopefully when the hotel gets a bit of an aesthetic upgrade :))

Ahmed Al Abdulqader

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful service and exceptional hospitality provided during my stay with my family. I am truly grateful for the warm and friendly assistance we received from all the staff members. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles and a welcoming atmosphere. Throughout our stay, every member of your team went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. The level of professionalism and kindness displayed by each staff member was truly remarkable. The impeccable service extended beyond the front desk to the housekeeping staff, restaurant servers, and all other departments. The attention to detail in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the hotel was highly commendable. Not only did your team meet our expectations, but they also exceeded them in every aspect. Your dedication to creating a positive guest experience is evident in every interaction and gesture. We felt like valued guests throughout our stay, and that contributed significantly to the enjoyment of our time at your hotel. Please extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every staff member for their exceptional service. We will definitely recommend your hotel to our friends and family, and we look forward to returning in the future. Once again, thank you for the memorable and delightful experience. Your commitment to excellence truly sets your hotel apart. Ahmed Al Abdulgader