Consultation and commissioning in the red sands of the Arabian desert

Al Wathba resort is located deep in the desert 50km to the south east of Abu Dhabi, and is spread over 20,000 square metres.

It is a 50-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Corniche and a 90-minute drive from DIFC in Dubai.

The property comprises 90 rooms, 13 villas and features a Talise spa. It will be the 12th Jumeirah-branded hotel in the UAE, and the 20th in the world.

SESC were employed as commissioning consultant for the project to oversee the installation of MEP services and ensure the sign off and handover of all MEP assets went smoothly.

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa was designed to be reminiscent of a historic desert village. The 103-key property features both rooms and villas, with Arabesque design ques throughout and Bedouin finishes.

The spa is the pinnacle of the hotel. Nestled within a manicured garden, the spa features 11 treatment rooms, including a crystal salt sauna, Turkish hammam, a yoga pavilion, ice shower, steam rooms, plunge pools and snow caves.

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa offers cultural immersion opportunities to discover the rich heritage and history of the region. Guests can discover Fossil Dunes or tour the surrounding desert on horseback for an understanding of the Emirati passion for all things equine. The Al Wathba camel race track educates guests about the UAE’s 7thcentury tradition, and skilled falconers offer private shows of the UAE’s national bird. Al Wathba is also home to diverse flora and fauna, including 4,000 greater flamingos that call the Al Wathba Wetlands home. Guests can take a guided tour of the sabkhas, or sand flats, and dunes, for an insight into their inhabitants and bird migration patterns as well as discover the medicinal uses of local plants by Bedouin tribes.