If you’re looking for a guaranteed dose of vitamin D (and therefore, serotonin), your best bet is to head to the desert-turned-cityscapes of the Middle East on holiday. Boasting historical palaces, rolling sand dunes, palm-lined beaches and consistently warm temperatures, countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia offer a plethora of winter sun escapes. It’s a good job, then, that some of the most luxurious hotels have also seeped into this wondrous corner of the world to complete your holiday with five-star accommodation and creative gastronomy. Read on for our winter sun guide to the Middle East. 

Muscat, Oman

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Situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is famous for offering more subtle luxury than its flashy neighbours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The capital, Muscat, makes for an idyllic romantic getaway, fringed by the mighty Al Hajar mountains (the highest range in the Arabian Peninsula) in the south and golden sandy beaches in the north. The city is brimming with cultural attractions, such as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, National Museum of Oman, its famous 200-year-old Mutrah Souq and the dazzling Al Alam Palace. From October to March, the omnipresent sun keeps temperatures at a pleasant 23-26°C. 

Where to stay: Al Bustan Palace

Images: Ritz Carlton

Originally built as a palace (hence the name) for Oman’s former Sultan Qaboos, the Ritz-Carlton brand has transformed this mountain-side retreat into a five-star hotel. Featuring a sandstone exterior and golden-domed entrance, the hotel is within a 10-minute drive of the National Museum of Oman while complimentary shuttles transport guests to the Mutrah Souq and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Book the hotel’s plentiful swim-up rooms to rest your head, before exploring the on-site amusement park, Six Senses spa and six restaurants and bars, ranging from Chinese fine dining to a sophisticated tea lounge. 

From £456 per night, visit ritzcarlton.com

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Reaching highs of 42 degrees in the summer, Abu Dhabi’s winter temperatures sit at a balmy 26°C come December – perfect for Brits looking for a warming winter break, especially if they have little ones in tow too. You’d be hard-pressed to run out of things to do in Abu Dhabi, with cultural attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi, while over on Yas Island, Warner Bros Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World are bound to delight young and old. The city, marked by its skyscrapers and modern towers, is also famous for its unrivalled shopping experience thanks to its mega malls, where you will surely find those final bits on your Christmas list. 

Where to stay: Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

If you’re looking for a beach getaway as opposed to a city break (yes, Abu Dhabi can do both), head to Saadiyat Island, just 20 minutes from the city’s international airport. Featuring a sprawling stretch of natural beach overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat is also home to stunning wildlife, including the native Arabian gazelle, bottlenose dolphins and hawksbill turtles. Relax at the luxurious Saadiyat Beach Club or tee off at the Par 72 Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, designed by golfing legend Gary Player. 

The island plays host to three five-star hotels: modern Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, the palatial St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and the timeless Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. Stuck for choice? Enlist the expertise of Kenwood Travel, which aims to take the hassle out of holiday planning with over 45 years of experience, expert on-the-ground knowledge, and a commitment to personalisation that ensures every trip is perfectly crafted to suit your tastes. 

Visit kenwoodtravel.co.uk

Doha, Qatar

Image: Shutterstock

Image: Hasan Zaidi/Shutterstock

Still buoyed by its World Cup hostship last year – which saw millions of pounds pumped into the Qatari capital to entertain thousands of football fans from around the world – Doha is set to rival Dubai as a holiday destination in the coming years. Blending old (the city dates back to 1820) and new, Doha is home to The Pearl – a manmade island with architecture inspired by Europe, such as the Venetian-Arabian Qanat Quartier and the Mediterranean Medina Centrale – as well as the historic Souq Waqif and the Corniche. Elsewhere, Doha’s desert dunes are a playground where you can book safari jeeps, camel rides, guided walks and even camping trips.

Where to stay: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Explore the city from the comfort of a five-star floating home anchored in the Persian Gulf with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Reached via routes starting from Greece, Thailand, Singapore and South Africa, you can enjoy this bustling Middle Eastern port and all it has to offer among an array of other stops which can be incorporated into your itinerary with the help of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ team. The fleet consists of six opulent ships that carry no more than 750 guests, meaning its all-suite accommodation promises extremely generous space per person. Designed to be a high-end home on the water, each ship features elevated aesthetics and tasteful interiors alongside a highly-trained crew on hand for your every need. 

Visit rssc.com

Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan

Likely the closest place to Mars on Earth, Wadi Rum desert is a sight to behold. Dotted with rugged red cliffs and billows of sand, Wadi Rum translates as Valley of the Moon and is situated in southern Jordan as the traditional home to the nomadic Bedouin tribe. Must-see attractions in the UNESCO World Heritage Site include the fascinating rock paintings, petroglyphs and inscriptions which date back to prehistoric times, as well as walking through the Khazali Canyon. Don’t miss tours to the historic cities of Amman and Petra, jeep tours through the desert, sandboarding on the dunes and sampling a traditional Bedouin dinner. Otherwise known as a Zarb or a Bedouin barbecue, this delectable meal features traditional dishes of vegetables, potatoes and meat, slow-cooked underground in a barrel and served with hummus, rice, flatbread and salad.

Where to stay: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

One of the most famous and luxurious camps in the Wadi Rum Desert, Memories Aicha Luxury Camp comprises 55 tents offering mind-blowing panoramas of the Arabian desert and, when the weather allows, some of the clearest views of the Milky Way found on Earth. Accommodation ranges from junior luxury tents for two guests up to executive spaces for three guests, alongside on-site facilities including a library, terrace, restaurant and outdoor barbecue area. But don’t worry, private chefs are available to cook up a storm whenever you fancy, with dishes ranging from traditional fare to modern, European plates. 

From £184 per night, visit mlc.jo

Dubai, UAE

As one of the most famous destinations in the UAE, Dubai is known for its luxury shopping, forward-thinking architecture and lively nightlife. The 190-year-old desert-turned-cityscape is dotted with famous attractions including the 830m-tall Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain and man-made archipelagos Atlantis and The Palm. With temperatures consistently in the mid-20s come the winter, the city’s never-ending list of beaches makes for the perfect sunbathing spot, while adrenaline junkies can get their fix while sliding between the high floors of a glass skyscraper and jumping into the world’s largest dive pool. 

Where to stay: Raffles The Palm Dubai

One of two Raffles outposts in Dubai, The Palm is more akin to a palatial residence than a hotel. Featuring 389 rooms, 56 suites and eight private villas, the hotel’s interiors were crafted by Italian designer Francesco Molon, who insisted on 180-degree views from every window, ornate Baroque-style architecture, handcrafted furniture and 6,000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers hanging in the lobby. For dinner, pick from the Japanese-inspired Matagi, international gourmet cuisine at Le Jardin or a touch of the la dolce vita at the Amalfi-Arabian Piatti, helpfully situated to sate the appetite of any post-sunbathe slumber. 

From £403 per night, visit raffles.com

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