This year, Ramadan nights are shifting toward immersive experiences, from desert camps to mountain resorts.
UAE residents embrace ‘Ramadan-cations’ with overnight retreats
Resorts and desert retreats across the UAE have introduced special overnight packages that combine iftar, suhoor, and accommodation, as Ramadan nights take on a more experience-led approach this year. The hospitality sector is dubbing this emerging trend a ‘Ramadan-cation.’
From the desert landscapes of Sharjah to mountain escapes in Hatta and family-focused resorts in Dubai, hotels are offering stays designed to provide residents with a more reflective and immersive way to spend evenings during the holy month.
One standout offering comes from Mleiha National Park, which has launched its Ramadan Star Lounge, where guests can break their fast under the open desert sky before spending the night at a campsite nestled among dunes and rocky ridges.
UAE residents embrace ‘Ramadan-cations’ with overnight retreats
Resorts and desert retreats across the UAE are introducing special overnight packages that combine iftar, suhoor, and accommodation, as Ramadan nights take on a more experience-led approach this year. The hospitality sector is calling this emerging trend a ‘Ramadan-cation.’
From the desert landscapes of Sharjah to mountain escapes in Hatta and family-focused resorts in Dubai, hotels are offering stays designed to provide residents with a more reflective and immersive way to spend evenings during the holy month.
One standout experience comes from Mleiha National Park, which has launched its Ramadan Star Lounge, allowing guests to break their fast under the open desert sky before spending the night at a campsite surrounded by dunes and rocky ridges. Visitors enjoy traditional iftar meals, suhoor, overnight camping, and stargazing in a serene natural setting.
A similar offering is available in Hatta, where JA Hatta Fort Hotel has introduced Ramadan mountain stay packages throughout the holy month. Guests receive overnight accommodation, iftar and suhoor dining, outdoor activities, and guided sunrise experiences against the Hajar Mountains. Options include outdoor communal iftars or in-room suhoor, turning the stay into a relaxed overnight retreat.
Operators note that Ramadan stays are increasingly designed around shared experiences rather than traditional leisure travel, with an emphasis on family time, reflection, and late-night gatherings extending until suhoor.
Even LEGOLAND Dubai Resort has joined the trend, offering a Ramadan stay-and-play package starting from Dh199 per person, which combines accommodation with access to theme park attractions and seasonal Ramadan and Eid activities.
Khaleej Times recently highlighted how residents are seeking silence, reflection, and spiritual reconnection during Ramadan. Many opt for quiet farm stays, island retreats, or religious journeys instead of conventional holidays, prioritizing calm routines centered on prayer, rest, and contemplation.
While some residents travel abroad for spiritual retreats, UAE hospitality operators are now offering similar experiences closer to home. With many residents staying in the country during Ramadan, hotels and retreats are curating programs that allow guests to transition seamlessly from iftar to suhoor without the distractions of daily life.
