"We are familiar with beach and mountain resorts. More hotels need to enter desert tourism for it to become a particular kind of tourism in its own right... just like jungle or rainforest tourism popularised in Central America," Ho Kwon Ping, executive chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings, said.
Banyan Tree Al Wadi joins the well-established Al Maha and Bab Al Shams in Dubai and follows close on the heels of Liwa's Qasr Al Sarab.
"Even if you add them all up, every single desert resort in the world is nothing compared [to] beach resorts. We're planning another resort in China's Gobi desert," Ping said.
Although he welcomes competition, Ping says his intention is to attract guests to Ras Al Khaimah.
High end
With rates starting at Dh2,600 to Dh4,000 for Al Sahari Tented Pool Villa, which measures 100 square metres, Banyan Tree Al Wadi operates at the higher end of desert resorts in the UAE. It also boasts a huge thermal spa.
"Soon we'll add a mountain resort. We are unique..." Ping said.
The boutique resort company currently owns and operates 14 properties and therefore chooses new locations carefully.