Travel experts and magazine editors select Sir Bani Yas Island resort for second consecutive year
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-08 February, 2010 Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), a master developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, has been voted one of the world's greatest hotels by Conde Nast Traveller, as published in the magazine's Gold List 2010 in the January issue.
As one of the world's premier travel magazines, Conde Nast Traveller compiles a Gold List of the world's greatest hotels as voted for by the magazine's editors and travel experts using six criteria: service, location, food, rooms, leisure facilities, and ambience and design. This year, 108 hotels from around the world made the list and Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara was the only one from the UAE to be chosen for the best location category and one of three hotels in Africa, Middle East and Indian Ocean. This is the second accolade that Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara receives from the leading travel magazine. In April 2009, only six months after its opening, the five-star luxury resort was named one of the world's hottest hotels in the Conde Nast Traveller's 2009 Hot List; and was thus a proof that TDIC had set a new benchmark for tourism in the UAE and the region.
“In just one year, Desert Island Resort & Spa has been honoured twice by this prestigious publication,” said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC. “It is a testament to our achievements as we celebrate our first year of operations, with the island witnessing considerable progress and plans for development in 2010.”
Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, located on Sir Bani Yas Island, just 250 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi in the emirate's Al Gharbia (Western Region) attracted over 25,000 guests from around the world in its first year of operation. The island, originally the private retreat and royal nature reserve of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late founder and President of the UAE, reopened to the public in October 2008.
“Over the past year, Sir Bani Yas Island has established itself as an upbeat destination for those who seek wildlife adventures and pure natural habitat in a luxurious and tranquil setting,” added Tabler. “The island showcases its unique environment through a range of exciting activities. The opening of the 64-room boutique resort managed by award-winning Thai hospitality group Anantara Resorts has ensured that the island is firmly placed on the global tourism map.”
As the largest natural island in the UAE spanning over 87 square kilometres, Sir Bani Yas Island is a nature based destination like no other. Home to several million trees and plants, and a vast range of birds and marine life, the island also includes the Arabian Wildlife Park where there are around 23 species of free-roaming animals. The park has hyenas, giraffes, cheetahs and the Arabian Oryx, which has been classified as extinct in the wild since the early 1970s but is being rereleased into the Arabian Peninsula after extensive rehabilitation and rebreeding programmes. The island's bird sanctuary houses a vast variety of species from emus to pink flamingos and ostriches, while the surrounding sea is equally rich in marine animals as it is frequented by dolphins and sea turtles.
The Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is the perfect hideaway for those seeking nature-based adventure combined with the ultimate in luxury and pampering. The island's natural surroundings offer a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities such as wildlife and nature drives, biking, hiking, kayaking, archery and snorkelling.
Further developments on Sir Bani Yas Island are already moving forward with future plans including two new nature lodges, dive & sports centre, conference centre and an equestrian centre to open in 2010, providing guests with stunning views of the island and up-close-and-personal animal experiences. In 2011 two more lodges are set to open, bringing the total number of lodges to four.
