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The World’s Most Awe-Inspiring Desert Getaways
Dreaming of starry nights and wide-open landscapes? This desert-lovers getaway list is for you. From ritzy resorts for Arizona relaxing to luxury tents for Morocco glamping, these 24 locales are perfect for your next desert adventure.
Reporter: Jené...
photo by
bontraveler
Dreaming of starry nights and wide-open landscapes? This desert-lovers getaway list is for you. From ritzy resorts for Arizona relaxing to luxury tents for Morocco glamping, these 24 locales are perfect for your next desert adventure.
Reporter: Jené Shaw
Reporter: Jené Shaw
Surrounded by untouched terrain, the elegant, private tents at this Morocco getaway offer a real sense of escapism. You’ll feel a million miles away but gain back a sense of home thanks to creature comforts like tent heaters, plush blankets and private bathrooms.
In the land of funky colors and mid-century modern digs, Korakia is an unexpected surprise—a Moroccan-themed boutique hotel with heated pools and romantic courtyards in Palm Springs. Between the stone waterfalls, olive trees and tea service, Korakia will make you second-guess if you woke up in the Mediterranean.
The ridges of the Sossusvlei Dunes surround you at this intimate camp, where kulalas (rooms) feature private plunge pools, outdoor showers and a rooftop “star bed” for optimal viewing of the clear skies. In addition to desert adventure fun (quad bikes, hot air balloons), don’t miss the cool underground wine cellar for tastings and private dining.
Imagine dining at sunset, looking out onto rippled sand dunes to see free-roaming gazelles right from your table. That’s real life at this eco-luxury resort and spa just 45 minutes from Dubai, where you can horseback or go on a wildlife safari or dune drive before settling into your comfy suite.
Get ready to explore the Atacama Desert on hikes, bikes or horseback rides, then relax back at the hotel’s interconnected pools under the stars (don’t miss the property’s observatory, professional telescope included). The well-appointed rooms are built to be your peaceful rest place after a day of exploring the driest desert in the world.
Make this Moab glamping destination your basecamp for exploring Arches National Park by day and disconnecting by the fireside at night. The epic sunset colors and sparkling night skies will be unforgettable when viewed from your canvas tent or teepee accommodations.
This hotel doesn’t offer far away red rock views because the entire property is pretty much part of the desert landscape. The five-star hideaway is starkly decorated to mimic its surroundings, offering 360-degree views of undeveloped canyon land. It’s at the center of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Monument Valley.
Your bucket-list safari starts at this South African lodge, where 10 air-conditioned villas offer views of the vast, wide-open landscape. Go on a safari to spot zebras, foxes and Onyx; return at night to gaze at the stars with tips from an on-staff professional astronomer.
This desert masterpiece is the outcome of an artistic getting inspired by Joshua Tree’s creative community. Blending a desert color palate with rustic natural character and mid-century modern furnishings, owners Rich and Sara Combs turned a 1949 hacienda into a peaceful space meant to evoke a slower pace of life.
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Outdoor adventurers, meet your perfect indoor counterpart. Spend your days cycling on the salt flats, climbing up volcanoes or hiking the Andes before returning to your tranquil room—or just head straight for the fire pits to share stories of your epic excursions.
This Scottsdale retreat is all about the colorful pools and creative cocktails, giving it the vibe of a tropical oasis in the middle of Scottsdale’s trendiest neighborhood. Within walking distance you have access to the city’s coolest offerings, from art galleries and boutiques to cold-pressed juice and tableside guac.
This is one jaw-dropping resort, partially for its setting between the Arabian Gulf and nearby mountains and sand dunes, but also for its stunning Arabic architecture and decadent details. At the Banyan Tree, you have your pick from indulgent spa treatments to exotic outdoor excursions.
The Australian Outback’s most famous landmark is a massive red rock called Uluru, which you can see from your window at Longitude 131º. These luxury canopies take glamping to the next level with balconies, fireplaces, rain showers and music systems.
Situated at the bottom of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this luxury retreat gives you the option of complete relaxation or a wellness-filled vacation. The classes are creative and unique—i.e. cardio drumming—and they extend into equine, culinary, creative arts and many more. One highlight: the hands-on honey tasting with the resident beekeeper.
Photo by Enchantment Resort
The Enchantment’s backdrop is the first thing to note—striped red rocks surround you at every turn—but the location is just one of many features that make the luxury resort a special getaway. Wellness is top-notch here, with culinary demos (everything from Juicing 101 to wine pairing lessons), tennis and golf clinics, guided meditation walks and much more.
Photo by Cultus Camp
When the artist-owners say you come to Cultus Camp to unplug, they mean it. There’s no cell service at this glamping spot in an isolated corner of Joshua Tree Naitonal Forest, and that’s part of its charm—go here if you love being surrounded by creative folks who share your dream of living off the grid.
Pick your ideal glamping accommodation—pimped-out trailer, wood-floor yurt, teepee or BYO tent—at this hotel-slash-campground in the high desert in Texas. Check the schedule for camp cooking demos, cosmic karaoke and movies under the stars.
In the 1940s, founder Roy Rogers built this boutique hotel to host movie stars filming westerns in Pioneertown. The hotel has since been redesigned with updated furnishings, cowhide rugs and mosaic prints to make it one of the hippest places in the desert.
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If a peaceful getaway is what you’re after, the cottages at L’Auberge de Sedona offer the privacy you need to totally unplug. You’ve got options for how you want to relax, from rooms with creekside decks under a canopy of trees to spa-like suites with outdoor cedar showers.
This dreamy resort checks all the boxes for a relaxing desert getaway—stylish accommodations, a modern spa and plenty of food options—but it also boasts a unique artistic program. Andaz is a haven for artists, jewelers and performers who will help you get in touch with your creative side.
You can hit a full reset at Canyon Ranch, which is all about holistic self-care. And not just losing weight—the property also offers programs to boost athletic performance, help through grief and even analyze your handwriting (plus many more). The high-end spa and mountain views don’t hurt.
Need a real detox? Head to Sunrise Springs, where you can soak in the pools, take horticulture classes, test your heat tolerance in the sweat lodge or—get this—go to the puppy studio, where can play with future service dogs or the resident fluffy chickens.
It’s not often you hear someone say, “I just got back from Oman,” which only adds to the allure of this incredible hidden gem only two hours from the Dubai International Airport. Six Senses Zighy Bay’s chic coastal-desert property and adventure options will blow you away, from paragliding over a mountain range to snorkeling its colorful reefs.
Photo by Los Poblanos
This historic, charming Southwest inn is surrounded by lavender fields and an 800-acre ranch that yields the organic produce used in its restaurant. Breakfast and a New York Times are included with your cozy room, which features hardwood floors, a wood-burning fireplace and lavender bath products using the on-site flowers.
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