Explore desert festivities at Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Abu Dhabi

Timeless festive traditions, excellent service and a range of dining destinations showcasing the dunes to panoramic perfection. Step into an exclusive natural environment this festive season.

Deep within the desert landscape lies, Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa. This private, boutique resort located only 40 min away from the capital city of Abu Dhabi, offers the ultimate privacy of comfortable, spacious guestrooms and sophisticated villas enhanced with private pools and overlooking the desert. Timeless bespoke moments are built throughout a nomadic Bedouin living that is revived from a series of food and beverage offerings, lifestyle activities linked to the destination and respecting luxury. Al Wathba Desert Resort and Spa is the perfect escape to celebrate this festive season.

Festive Afternoon Tea with a French touch at Al Mesayan:

Al Mesayan is an intimate rooftop bar that serves as an ideal spot for stargazing, dune watching or a delightful afternoon tea. Experience a tasteful afternoon tea complemented by French pastries. Select from 15 varieties of tea while allowing your taste buds to indulge in the infused festive flavours of ginger-spiced Mille Feuille, pumpkin eclairs, apple tart tatin and cinnamon crème brûlée. Available until 30 December, daily from 4pm to 7pm. AED 195 per stand (inclusive of two hot beverages).

Gingerbread House Workshop at Bait Al Hanine:

Bait Al Hanine will be hosting a gingerbread house workshop for the very first time! The experience is explicitly aimed at younger guests as they gather al fresco, collect their chef’s hats and aprons, and allow the hotel’s team of master pastry team to guide them in the construction of their own magnificent Gingerbread House. Throughout the experience, children will also enjoy sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn, cookies and cotton candy. Milkshakes and fresh juices will be available to boost everyone’s creativity. Friday 18 December from 3pm to 5pm. AED 120 per child.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Bait Al Hanine:

Expect a traditional and flavoursome dinner to ensure you embrace the festive spirit of Christmas. Using the freshest of the ingredients and produces, Bait Al Hanine’s chefs will prepare everything on the live counters and deliver exquisite dishes directly to your table. The menu offers everything from live grills and roasts, to turkey carving, spiced crêpes Suzette and festive beverages such as traditional festive eggnog and mulled wine. Thursday 24 December, from 7pm to 11pm. AED 300 (soft beverages), AED 400 (house beverages) and AED 650 (Champagne).

Christmas Eve Dinner at Terra Secca:

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a Tuscan flair. Enjoy a traditional and tasteful four-course menu that has been thoughtfully curated especially for Christmas Eve. Gather with family and friends indoors or dine al fresco and indulge in the exceptional Tuscan Christmas creations. Thursday 24 December, from 7pm to 11pm. AED 400 (soft beverages) and AED 600 (house beverages).

Christmas Brunch at Bait Al Hanine:

Four different cuisines will be seamlessly combined and served directly to your table on Christmas Day. The courtyard of Bait Al Hanine is celebrating the best of the Levant, Tuscany, Morocco and France! Enjoy a feast of tastes, with a beautiful selection of mussels “le coze”, seafood pastilla, scallops, live grills and festive favourites such as panettone and the signature dessert ‘The Desert Rose.’ There will also be several seasonal beverages to get you in the festive mood. Friday 25 December, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 350 (soft beverages), AED 450 (house beverages) and AED 650 (Champagne).

Christmas Dinner at Terra Secca:

Characterized by European warmth and style, reserve your space at the sophisticated Terra Secca and celebrate Christmas with your friends and family in style. Indulge in a beautifully prepared four-course dinner inspired by Tuscan flavours, complimented with authentic Italian wines and creative cocktails. Relax inside amidst contemporary furnishings or on the vast outdoor terrace with views of the desert. Friday 25 December, from 7pm to 11pm. AED 400 (soft beverages) and AED 600 (house beverages).

A Desert Welcome To The New Year at Bait Al Hanine:

Ring in the New Year amidst the picturesque al fresco ambience of Bait Al Hanine. Enjoy a unique dining experience that plays host to a myriad of culinary creations. The evening’s menu ranges from traditional local delicacies to all-time classics, plus premium favourites such as caviar, foie gras, scallops, chilled poached lobster, live grills and roasted calf leg. All dishes are freshly prepared, cooked and served to your the table. Thursday 31 December, from 7pm to 1am. AED 500 (soft beverages), AED 750 (house beverages) and AED 950 (Champagne).

A Desert Welcome To The New Year at Terra Secca:

Enjoy a Tuscan-inspired five-course menu and toast to the New Year within the chic and elegant ambience of Terra Secca. Authentic Italian wines will accompany Black truffles, a selection of prime grilled meats and a full buffet of cheese. The evening is bound to enrich your celebrations and provide you with a dining experience to remember. Thursday 31 December, from 7pm to 1am. AED 500 (soft beverages) and AED 750 (house beverages).

A Desert Welcome To The New Year at Al Mesayan:

Al Mesayan is the place to ring in the New Year in style. Relish in performances from a live DJ, while enjoying the authentic Moroccan-French ambience amidst the beautiful rolling dunes of the stunning desert landscape. Reserve your spot and enjoy unlimited delicacies, including caviar on consommé gelée, duck and foie gras pastilla, lobster thermidor on potato and seared wagyu with truffled shallots. Thursday 31 December, from 9pm to 2a. AED 500 (soft beverages) and AED 750 (house beverages).

Discover the wonders and desert life of Al Wathba Desert Resort and Spa, together with a variety of activities from horseback riding, to archery, to desert walks and Camel riding during sunset and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and the festive spirit. Celebrate the season with friends and family in a different setting this year.

GO: Visit www.marriott.com or call (0)2 204 4444 for reservations and more information.