Hi, I know this is the Asia forum, however, I was just wondering if you have ever heard of the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort in Dubai..It looks amazing..We are considering splurging and staying there at least one night...
http://www.babalshams.com/

Sorry don't know it at all, maybe you can search on Yahoo for any reviews.

tracy---it is considered one of the only 6* hotels in the world...its unbelievable

Yes I know Bab al Shams, a newly developed luxury hotel in the desert, just about 20 km outside Dubai, on the road to Al Ain. Luxury as they only conceive it in Dubai, rather expensive, not a genuine desert experience, but certainly an experience. If you do not mind paying.

yes rhkkmk, the only 6star in the world, as they say. That is because the only 7star hotel in the world is the Burj al Arab. Guess where. Yes, in Dubai.

Hmm...I think maybe you guys are thinking of a different desert resort near Dubai. Al Mahal or something like that..
That one starts at $1600.00 U.S. per night..Bab Al Shams starts around 300.00 US per night and to me it still looks amazing..I have read excellent reviews on it, it only opened in 1994..I think it is worth a splurge for 1 night..The other 3 nights we will stay somewhere more moderate..

Tracy's right. Bab al Shams is closer to Dubai than Al Maha and almost directly inland from Jumeirah. I haven't stayed, but I have a work colleague who spent a great weekend their soon after it opened last year and, whilse it's positioned lower in luxery and cost than Al Maha Desert resort, he enjoyed himself much more... but that I might have had something to do with his partner!

I'm flying back home to Dubai tonight from Samui, so I can check out more detail if you need me to

Sure johnbey, check it out..that would be great!!

TracyB, you are right it Bab al Shams is less expensive than Mahal, which actually belongs to Emirates Airlines, whereas BaS belongs, if I am not mistaken, to the Jumeirah group. BaS is brand new, it opened last winter and is situated some 20 minuters driving from Dubai on the road to Al Ain. Sure, you should do it for a night or so, while in the neighbourhood.

Bab al Shams are cagey about giving out rates - you have to enquire by e-mail, but they currently have a special deal which lasts until September of AED 475 (3.68=1USD), so around US$130 plus 20% tax per couple in a deluxe room/day. They throw-in complimentary transport to a Jumaeirah beach hotel and tickets for the Group's fantastic Wild Wadi water park.

Have a look at:
http://www.babalshams.com/special_offers/

I know, I saw that, but we aren't going until November..Then it is AED 1200. I am going to wait awhile until I book in case another deal comes out!!

i think i have the two mixed up...so what else is new...i am talking about the one that looks like a sail...

The hotel like a sail is the Burj al Arab, about which I spoke in an earlier posting on this thread. Both belong to the same Jumeirah Intl hotel group.
There are also other places in the Emirates where you can get very good deals for hotels in the summer period, which -by the way- is particularly clement so far: hot but not as humid as it is other years. Fingers crossed it stays like that

The Burj Al Arab hotel is just too expensive!! If one could get some sort of deal, but unless you are a travel agent or similar, I don't think you will be getting one..I used to be a Travel Agent..And I know of one whom stayed there for only US $200.00..If only!!