Originally Posted by
xracer
Please explain why. I would have thought the opposite would be true, given that Desert Islands is so much smaller than Al Sarab. Visually, at least as far as the rooms and common areas are concerned (and again, this is only according to the Anantara website), the resorts look very similar (granted, I know Al Sarab is in a much more unique location so from that perspective, they are very different).
Anantara Desert Islands has been made out of an existing and very odd building that was part of the 'folly' of Sheikh Zayed, who was the late ruler & founder of the UAE. This island was his private eccentricity and includes a rather smelly 'nature reserve' full of inappropriate animals, such as giraffe and peacocks. He also tried to 'green' the desert here, so the scrappy hillsides are covered in strange mouldy plants. The 'beach' is man-made and not great for swimming off. The food is so-so. The rooms/suites are OK, but nothing is quite right here, especially when you compare it with Qasr Al Sarab, which is in a totally different league and competes, quite easily, with one of the better Four Seasons. This resort was built from scratch, with no expense spared and it shows. Everything works wonderfully. Food is superb, as is service. Rooms/suites are of a very high quality. The landscape and location are jaw dropping....etc etc.