If you seek wild solitude, breathtaking scenery, and nights filled with stars, we have some incredible — truly incredible — desert properties for you. These
luxury camps and hotels
in the desert offer dramatic escapes and landscapes that are nothing short of epic, complemented by amenities such as four-poster beds, refreshing mango coladas, and live music after sunset, along with floating pavilions designed for mindfulness and gazing at the mesas.
From kite-surfing hotspots to surprisingly lush boutique retreats, the best desert hotels in the world provide a whole new type of joy under the sun.
Amangiri
Utah, United States
Nestled within Utah’s striking red-rock country,
Amangiri
effortlessly blends into the breathtaking Colorado Plateau. With its desert mesa backdrop, luxurious pool, and architectural elegance reminiscent of the surrounding buttes, this hotel is hard to miss. Its impressive 25,000-square-foot spa, a collection of elegantly minimalist suites, and the exclusive private camp, Sarika, make it a standout retreat.
Days here resemble scenes from an action movie: horseback riding, helicopter tours, canyon hikes, and thrilling cliff-hanging adventures on
via ferrata
, capped off by peaceful moments spent spotting prickly-pear daisies and jackrabbits in the dunes. This enchanting escape transforms any guest into an ‘Amanjunkie’ seeking their next adventure.
Magic Camps Oman
Muscat, Oman
Experience magic without the need for flying carpets or genie lamps at
Magic Camps Oman
, where the thrill begins as a 4×4 vehicle maneuvers through the striking dunes of Wahiba Sands. From sharing tales around BBQ dinners to clinking champagne glasses under vibrant sunsets, every moment feels like a fairy tale, especially while cozying up in an oil-lamp-lit tent under the stars.
With a strong emphasis on eco-consciousness inspired by Bedouin traditions, guests can immerse themselves in local culture through calligraphy classes, falconry displays, and dining experiences with locals. This luxurious setting makes for a memorable escape, worthy of every indulgent wish.
Awasi Atacama
Atacama Desert, Chile
The stunning desolation of the
Atacama Desert
, with its otherworldly valleys and salt flats, deserves more than just a glimpse from a solitary llama. Let
Awasi Atacama
open your eyes to the treasures of the desert, from exquisite meals crafted with vibrant local ingredients to calming moments spent with alpacas, or enjoying Pisco sours fireside.
Your journey comes with a dedicated guide who knows the land and its culture, along with a 4×4 vehicle to explore ancient petroglyphs, bubbling geysers, Andean peaks, or even take to the skies in a hot-air balloon. Or simply relax in a cabana until it’s time for a glass of Chilean wine.
La Tour d’Eole
Dakhla, Western Sahara
Relaxation is the name of the game at the laid-back desert hotel, La Tour d’Eole. Located by Dakhla Lagoon in Western Sahara, where Atlantic winds sweep through almost year-round, it’s a prime destination for kitesurfing and other exhilarating activities. The all-inclusive hotel is designed for maximum enjoyment, featuring a private beach and the region’s first watersports center, perfect for wave-riding or simply soaking up the sun.
More grounded activities await, including massages and yoga sessions at the spa, rejuvenating dips in mineral-rich pool waters, and cocktails at the beach club while admiring the stunning russet landscape. With its increasing popularity, La Tour is becoming a barometer for the lesser-known region’s rise in tourism.
Caravan by Habitas Dakhla
Dakhla, Western Sahara
Calling all creative souls — the cult hotel brand Our Habitas has made its mark in the Western Sahara with Caravan by Habitas. Located by the lagoon, it features a kitesurfing school along with opportunities for wing-foiling and aerial tricks. If sports aren’t on your agenda, you can simply sip a margarita while taking in the stunning surroundings.
The daily replenishing landscape, characterized by sand dunes, is captivating. With a Berber-style design, the hotel welcomes guests through unique resin-burning ceremonies, evening bonfires for sharing stories and songs, and Levantine-style meals that allow for mixing and matching flavors.
Pioneertown Motel
California, United States
Pioneertown attracts those seeking a unique desert experience. Established in 1946 by a group of movie stars, including Western legend Dick Curtis, this spot was designed as a “living, breathing movie set.” With its vintage stores and saloons, Pioneertown Motel captures a nostalgic authenticity, providing a cinematic backdrop alongside an intriguing history.
With its charming facade, the motel features southwestern decor, complete with Navajo-print Pendleton blankets, sturdy wooden furnishings, cowboy art, and cactus arrangements. Nestled near Joshua Tree National Park amidst a landscape populated by yucca plants, mesquite, and juniper trees, visitors can take time to enjoy live music at biker bar Pappy & Harriet’s while marveling at the sunrise over distant mountains, creating a scene reminiscent of a fading cinematic landscape.
Kaner Retreat
Thar Desert, India
The Thar Desert in Rajasthan resembles a sun-kissed Zen garden, complete with camels and resilient plants. This backdrop might surprise you with its unexpected olive farm and pioneering botanical resort concept. The journey began with Satbiri Devi, who cultivated over 6,000 olive trees in what was once considered barren land before entrusting the farm to journalist and Kaner Retreat founder, Sapna Bhatia.
Driven by nostalgia for her childhood explorations in the desert vegetation, Bhatia has created a retreat with a forward-thinking vision. Each villa exudes style, and meals enjoyed in a glass-roofed atrium highlight innovative plant-based options. Designed with environmental education in mind, activities encourage guests to connect with the region’s unique landscape and heritage.
Zannier Sonop
Karas Region, Namibia
For luxury in Namibia’s deserts, look no further than Zannier Sonop. These stilted tents feel more like glamorous villas, complete with four-poster beds, freestanding bathtubs, writing desks, and telescopes. Nestled amongst majestic granite boulders, the contrast between opulence and untamed wilderness allows guests to embrace the spirit of adventure, from horseback riding to dune bashing, following trails paved by the San Bushmen, and navigating the surreal landscape of Sossusvlei salt pans.
After a day of exploration, unwind with a soothing massage and a candlelit dinner — perhaps even with private dining atop a boulder — followed by cocktails in the lounge, and casual entertainment in the gaming parlor.
Casa Silencio
Oaxaca, Mexico
While it’s important to stay hydrated in the desert, we suggest bringing mezcal — the spirit, rooted in agave, reflects the region’s essence. At Casa Silencio, an eco-conscious blend of distillery and design-savvy lodgings awaits. The aesthetics merge traditional rammed-earth structures with modern concrete floors, and recycled timber forms striking joinery accented with intricate mosaics created from tequila bottle bases.
The ambiance is industrial yet inviting, and with mezcal tastings included in your stay, guests can relish the local culture while indulging in nearby waterfalls and rock formations in the Hierve el Agua reserve. Whether hiking to ancient cave paintings or finding tranquility in a local
temazcal
, don’t forget to pay homage to the ancestral spirits — and perhaps take some mezcal home.
Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort
Liwa Desert, United Arab Emirates
Forget the myth of the ‘Empty Quarter’—within its walls,
Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort
is a haven of activities and luxuries. It features various dining options, some available under the stars; a Thai-inspired spa with a hammam; an open-air cinema, tennis and padel courts, and an impressive freeform pool. This opulent retreat ensures comfort even in extreme heat, with large private pool villas that cater to families, and extensive dining options for vegetarians and vegans.
Explore the wonders of the Liwa Desert at your leisure, whether through thrilling buggy rides or camel treks, or partake in archery lessons, witness falconry demonstrations, and discover local wildlife at the cultural center, Ezba.
Discover more enchanting stays
here
, and for more sandy adventures, explore our collection of
beach hotels
