Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas announced that it will manage two new luxury lodges on Sir Bani Yas island in Abu Dhabi. Due to open in late 2010, both resort lodges will offer unique experiences that capitalise on the impressively diverse beach and wildlife blend of Sir Bani Yas Island. The dual launch further serves to fill a niche market on the island, answering to the luxury needs of travellers seeking a more exclusive, intimate style of island living.Al Barari Lodge, meaning Savannah, occupies one of the best locations on Sir Bani Yas Island in the west section of the Arabian Wildlife Park. A setting of such natural seclusion entices a myriad of free roaming wildlife, and leads to captivating adventures for guests, as well as rooms with spectacular wildlife views. Overlooking the Arabian Sea and salt-dome hilltops, 30 luxurious rustic lodges will be surrounded by a lush grass savannah, affording guests’ uninterrupted views of grazing sand gazelles, as well as Arabia’s elusive mountain gazelle and oryx.
Of equal allure, yet achieving a distinctly different set of natural charms, Al Yamm Lodge meaning ‘The Sea’, will comprise island lodges of luxurious beachfront tranquility. Residing on the beautiful eastern shores of Sir Bani Yas Island, with beaches renowned as the finest on the island, the retreat also edges a tranquil lagoon rich with high mangroves, treating guests to views of the elegant flamingos that favour this verdant sanctuary. Consisting of beach style lodges overlooking the dazzling Arabian Sea, residences will benefit from a shoreline position, and others will be set back with idyllic views over a beautiful salt-water lagoon.
In addition to the opening of these unique lodge retreats, the island will see further development with the launch of the Desert Islands Conference Centre, Desert Islands Dive & Water Sport Centre, and the Sir Bani Yas Equestrian Centre, also to open later this year.
Desert Islands Conference Centre, managed by Anantara, will be located directly adjacent to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on the north side of the island, between Anantara Spa and the Dive & Water Sport Centre. With capacity for 300 guests, the Conference Centre will be the island’s first and only venue to accommodate larger groups. Facilities will include 8 break-out rooms, a reception centre, a large sea-facing courtyard, a business centre and prayer rooms.
