When development forges ahead so fast and people forget their history and heritage there is always a danger of losing the soul of the nation. This is one mistake the UAE is attempting to avoid.
After years of building gleaming structures that surge out of the sands, astounding people globally, Abu Dhabi is now on a mission to preserve its heritage.
As usual nothing in the emirate is implemented on a small scale. Out of the red sands of the desert in Liwa has arisen an Arabian dream of a fort-like hotel called Qasar Al-Sarab.
It looks like a desert fort that has been preserved for thousands of years.
As you walk toward the main door you pass by tall turrets and walls built out of sand bricks behind which one expects archers dressed in olden style livery to be aiming at you.
Liwa is the name of a vast, almost barren desert region that extends from the southern part of Abu Dhabi to the borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman. Liwa was once a region inhabited by many Bedouin tribes due to its water resources. Liwa is today known more for its oil than its historical trade routes.
Qasar Al-Sarab was a dream that became a reality for the rulers of Abu Dhabi whose ancestors were born and raised in the Liwa Oasis. They felt a need to reconnect and honor their roots. After all, Liwa represents to many natives a style of life that has to quite an extent passed; a time where people lived in traditional Bedouins camps using camels, falconry and archery to hunt. In those times there used to be around 50 permanent settlements, known locally as “Mahdar,” where people lived simple, uncomplicated lives surrounded by nature’s elements.
Mahra Khalid Al-Qassimi, senior communications manager at Tourism Development & Investment Company, explained one of the reasons why Qasar Al-Sarab was built. “Liwa is at the heart of where all the main Emirati families come from,” she said. “Traces of life here date back to the Stone Age. It has a very important place in the history of the UAE.”
The journey to Qasar Al-Sarab is itself an adventure. As soon as you leave the empty expressway and enter the burnt orange sand dunes you are surrounded by a captivating landscape. Then you approach the resort tucked away like an oasis in the desert.
The hotel (with 154 rooms and 52 villas) is a vision designed in the form of an ancient fort perched on the borders of a dune overlooking a valley that runs for several kilometers.
The hotel has a falaj-style irrigation system that winds its way through the property. The calming trickle of water can be heard as you walk around the differing levels of corridors that lead to spacious rooms with wide windows overlooking the desert. Unlike the ancient forts the hotel is based on, Qasar Al-Sarab boasts modern facilities including Internet connectivity and satellite TV.
British photographer Wilfred Thesiger made the region famous, and many of his pictures and books are visible at the hotel as well as artifacts like rifles, knives and jewelry from hundreds of years ago that are scattered artistically around the hotel.
In keeping with the local theme of Arab hospitality, the guests can explore a wealth of dining options many based on national delicacies.
Every type of meat, fruit, yogurt and salad is tastefully displayed in a spacious, modern dining hall where you can drift from one area to another selecting whatever takes your fancy.
The dining hall’s wide windows display the sand dunes, a constant reminder that you are isolated somewhere out in the desert.
You will also have a chance to dine al fresco under the starry night sky, eating from traditional open-flame grills in an open Bedouin tent drinking Arabic coffee and sweet tea, listening oud music.
Private pools, outdoor terraces, tennis courts and fitness centers are just a few of the facilities found in the resort.
Another fact that has been heavily incorporated into the building of the hotel is that it is environmentally friendly. For example, the strategic design of the hotel provides maximum shade to buildings, reducing cooling requirements and operating costs.
Another example amongst many is the sophisticated water recycling systems that reduce demand. Extensive use of solar energy also contributes to the resort’s power demands. One will not only be captivated by the natural beauty of the area, but will also be given the chance to explore the vast landscapes and the adjoined 9,000 square kilometer wildlife reserve with free roaming indigenous animals.
George Chakar of the Tourism Development & Investment Company said that other projects related to the hotel includes the Desert Islands Resort and Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island, as well as the Desert Islands Education Center on Delma Island, which teaches tourism-related courses.