Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort sits on Sir Bani Yas — Abu Dhabi's 87-square-kilometre nature-reserve island, home to more than 17,000 free-roaming animals including Arabian oryx, cheetah, giraffe and gazelle. Al Yamm is the beachside of the three resorts on the island, a low-density village of thatched-roof villas set on soft white sand along a private mangrove-fringed lagoon. Each of the 30 villas — Beach Villa, One-Bedroom Villa, Al Yamm Pool Villa and Anantara Two-Bedroom Villa — includes a private outdoor shower, a hardwood deck and either direct beach access or a private plunge pool. Interiors reference African safari lodges: bleached timber, muted ivory and rattan. Dining is fluid across the three resorts, with the flagship Al Shams for pan-Mediterranean grills, Palm Lounge for lighter fare, and organised barbecues on the sand under the stars. The signature experience is the wildlife itself — safari drives at dawn and dusk, snorkelling and diving in a marine reserve, kayaking through the mangroves, salt-mountain hikes and archaeological visits to a fourth-century Christian monastery. The Anantara Spa runs across the island with hammam suites and desert-inspired rituals. Families with older children thrive here; couples and photographers come for the silence. Transfers combine a 90-minute drive plus a short ferry from Jebel Dhanna. Africa in Abu Dhabi.

Starting rate based on a recent public retail search. Final rates may vary depending on travel dates, room type, and availability.