Al Badayer Oasis by Mysk, the third gem in Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)’s ‘Sharjah Collection’, nestled in central Sharjah’s lively Al Badayer Desert, is now welcoming guests.

It is the first of its kind in the UAE with a unique design inspired by traditional Emirati heritage. Al Badayer is one of the most popular tourist areas in Sharjah and the UAE, favored by dune bashers, camping enthusiasts and international tourists flying in to savor authentic Emirati experiences.

The project brings 21 rooms, which include 11 deluxe-king and 10 deluxe-twin rooms in addition to seven one-bedroom king and three two-bedroom twin tent accommodations. Each accommodation is quintessentially Arabian, fitted with the best modern comforts.

In 2017, Shurooq began an ambitious AED 130 million project to raise Sharjah’s profile as a destination for luxury ecotourism and its vast natural diversity through the ‘Sharjah Collection’. With Al Badayer Oasis now on the tourism market, all three of the Sharjah Collection’s high-end boutique destinations – the Kingfisher Lodge in Kalba, Al Faya Lodge close to the Fossil Rock area in Mleiha and Al Badayer Oasis in Al Badayer Desert – have been met Shurooq’s projected two-year completion timeline.

The Sharjah Collection is managed by ‘Mysk by Shaza’, a leading hotel management brand known for its vast hospitality experiences based on the region’s authentic culture and heritage.

Al Badayer Oasis offers two specialty and an all-day dining experience. The 58-seater Nizwa restaurant offers authentic and traditional dishes influenced by destinations from the Silk Route, served through an inspired Emirati-theme and taste under a contemporary and stylish setting. The all-day dining restaurant, Al Madam, can serve 88 diners at once and is a modern-day eatery serving international and regional fare in a setting that exudes a distinct local character.

The oasis also features a luxurious indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art health club packed with amenities and run under the supervision of professional lifeguards and trainers. A business centre, meeting rooms, direct dial phones and voicemail are also in the offering to meet every requirement of busy professionals

Al Badayer Oasis can be fully booked for destination weddings or other private occasions, which can be hosted at the oasis’s spacious amphitheater and courtyard areas. A 50-seater meeting room dedicated can be booked by organisations to host workshops or meetings through a number of seating arrangements.

Al Badayer Oasis offers customized desert experiences featuring dune bashing, buggies, quad biking, horse riding, desert safaris and camel tours. Natural expeditions to observe wildlife in its natural state, stargazing under a clear desert night sky and night-time theater, can also be enjoyed.

Breakfast on dunes and dinner atop the Al Bury Tower allows guests to cut-off completely from the bustle of the city and enjoy tranquility in the lap of nature. A true taste of Emirati culture is offered to guests by arranging through falcon shows and archery games, art of henna, and more.

HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, said: “Al Badayer Oasis offers a fully-integrated hospitality experience in the heart of a tranquil desert. The resort offers the truest reflection of the landscape in which our ancestors set out to build their earliest settlements and begin the ‘Emirati way of life’. Through this eco-oasis, Shurooq aims to advance responsible tourism practices and wildlife conservation in the UAE and Sharjah, and to support the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority’s (SCTDA) Sharjah Vision 2021, which is to attract 10 million tourists into the emirate.

“These non-traditional tourism projects perfectly align with Shurooq’s vision to set new benchmarks for eco-luxury destinations and exceed the expectations of the most discerning traveller. The AED 60 million destination has been designed to offer citizens, residents and tourists an incredible variety of experiences and activities to indulge in – a different kind of relaxation bringing to life meaningful connections to their surroundings inspired by ancient caravanserai,” Al Sarkal added.

“Tourism is a top source of national income, for Sharjah and the UAE. The sector has been playing a leading role in diversifying our post-oil economy and influencing growth of other sectors,” he noted mentioning the positive effect it has continued to have on retail, services, transportation and others.

Mr. Simon Coombs, President & CEO of Shaza Hotels, stated, “We are delighted to expand our presence in the UAE with a unique property like Al Badayer Oasis, another successful project with Shurooq. We are thrilled for this partnership and look forward to delivering unparalleled experiences to Sharjah. It is a superb addition to our growing portfolio of hotels in the Middle East and will be the perfect choice for travelers looking for novel and immersive experiences amid nature and wilderness.”

He continued: “This latest opening, that joins two other fabulous properties – Kingfisher Lodge and Al Faya Lodge in the Sharjah Collection – creates a unique 3-in-1 travel circuit for visitors to discover the culture, traditional Arabian hospitality and natural beauty of the emirate.”

Established in 2009, Shurooq has been the impetus for the transformation of Sharjah and enhancing its appeal as an investment, tourism and business destination. Shurooq undertakes the responsibility to evaluate and follow-up on tourism, investment, and heritage-related infrastructure projects. It also participates in the comprehensive construction and development processes in the emirate of Sharjah and the UAE. Through setting up a comprehensive information center that highlights investment opportunities in the emirate, Shurooq facilitates investment-related activities in collaboration with other organisations and bodies