The welcome
Transfers, either from Al Yamm, Anantara’s other new property on Sir Bani Yas Island, or from the airport, are by private Land Cruiser. I’m there in about 15 minutes and there’s a sense of exclusivity as mine is the only vehicle that seems to be travelling across the island to the west. The resort’s entrance seems slightly more ostentatious than Al Yamm’s and its textured, brown facade looks like it could be part of the set of Star Wars or The Flintstones. Once inside, however, the decor is more sophisticated, with a well-edited selection of genuine African artefacts and rugs thrown into the scheme.
The neighbourhood
The resort is a small collection of villas in a section of the 4,200-hectare Arabian Wildlife Park, which is home to thousands of free-roaming animals including Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Arabian (mountain) gazelle, as well as predators and scavengers such as cheetah and hyena (the resort is fenced from dangerous animals). Most of the resort faces a specially cultivated and scenic section of “savannah”, fed with copious compost and water.
The room
Unfortunately, my room didn’t face the “savannah” but a sparser area of bare ground and ghaf trees, but it still felt quiet and remote. The villas resemble an African village and are decorated with natural-looking materials. Inside, earthy tones and wood blend with modern luxuries such as powerful air conditioning and fast-filling baths. The bed was especially comfortable but I’m awoken by a parade of peacocks outside my window at 4.30am. Gazelles and birds also roam freely. The pool at the back of my villa was more of a bath-sized plunge pool, not suitable for swimming but perhaps for cooling off.
The service
Gracious and genuine, with a sense of urgency.
The scene
Watch the sunset from the pool or the deck overlooking the savannah and you could very nearly be in Africa. While I’m staying there, the resort is filled with a mix of Emiratis and European holidaymakers, but the public spaces in the hotel did not feel crowded.
The food
Thankfully, there’s no all-day buffet here. The only restaurant is the Savannah Grill & Lounge, which is better than its “African concept” description suggests: its soaring vaulted ceiling lends a sense of quiet drama and the food is good. The menu specialises in steak, though pastas, seafood and a fresh vegetable curry are also available. For dinner, I have the pan-seared scallops (Dh96) as a starter, which are moist but nicely seared, and the fillet of Australian Wagyu, which is plump and juicy with a nice crust, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It’s not cheap at Dh450, but other steaks are available from Dh250. The Jordanian restaurant manager seems to have a good grip on things. Breakfast is a small buffet, and you can order à la carte.
Loved
Seeing the stars on the walk back to my villa, breakfast on the terrace and dinner at the Savannah Grill.
Hated
The water in the resort is heated by solar panels, and in my room the bath and shower had to run for a long time before getting hot – and, once hot, the shower was difficult to moderate. The only downside to eating outside was the presence of some flies.
The verdict
This is a luxurious and fun place to stay.
The bottom line
From now until the end of this year, a two-night package for two people costs from Dh2,262 per night, including taxes, breakfast, Wi-Fi and a 20 per cent dining discount (excluding alcohol). Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (www.al-sahel.anantara.com; 02 656 1399).
rbehan@thenational.ae
Follow us @TravelNational
Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
