Luxury Glamping in the UAE: Kingfisher Retreat Hotel Review

The UAE is not a country that is often associated with nature and eco-tourism. However, you would be surprised to learn that you can have a luxury glamping experience here surrounded not by desert, but by mangroves and a nature conservation centre.

Lodged in an island off the coast of the Emirate of Sharjah and near the Omani border, the Kingfisher Retreat is the perfect retreat to escape the crowds and explore a unique and less-known side of the UAE.

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First impressions: 5/5

The mere act of taking a first step onto the retreat’s private island is an experience in itself. Check-in is handled at the main office tent on the mainland in Kalba, before you are guided along the small pier to embark on your private boat ride to the island.

The boats have a very classic touch, with their striped seats and sun shade – no doubt inspired by traditional Arab wooden boats. The staff loaded our luggage onto the boats and zipped us along the narrow channel of water to the opposite margin.

The experience does not end here, however, as the retreat sprawls across a significant area and it isn’t possible to simply walk to your tent. Offloading from the boat, we were invited to prop ourselves at the back of electric buggies, driven by the staff who whizzed us across the retreat and dropped us off at our private tent along with our luggage. Talk about arriving in style!

Rooms: 4.5/5

The private safari-style tents offer all the modern amenities necessary to enjoy a luxurious stay. From the impeccably clean room to the full-size bathtub and private pool terrace, when we talk about glamping here, in fairness, we have a little more glam than camping!

You can expect a large and ultra-comfortable bed and a contemporary, cozy environment. The earthy tones of the tent’s interior against the blue of the temperature-regulated pool mirror the tones of the sand beach in contrast with the waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Depending on the tent you stay in (there are one-bedroom and three-bedroom tents available), you may have one or more sitting and lounging areas, as well as desk spaces for those on a longer stay or working. There is a barbecue at your disposal by the lounging area near the pool, while sand bikes await by the driveway outside the tent’s entrance.

I can only mention one minor negative about the room: the emergency exit lights directly facing the bed and above the entrance door are permanently on, so once we turned off the lights, we had a bright green light filling up the room. At the time of my stay (February 2024), the staff noted that they were aware of this and working to replace the lights with a better solution. We ended up covering the light boxes with some clothes and proceeded to nod off, embraced by one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in.

Food and drink: 5/5

There is one restaurant on site, the Al Qurm. Between dinner and breakfast, I cannot complain about the variety at all – from starters to mains and dessert, there were plenty of dishes available in buffet-style, including of course Middle Eastern foods but also other international culinary options. By morning, the counters were filled with fresh fruit and cheese accompanying each plate.

The atmosphere in the dining area is relaxed yet intimate, and I only wish I had the chance to experience the bonfire on the outdoors deck, which provides a great setting for stargazing.

It is worth mentioning that, being located in the Emirate of Sharjah, the Kingfisher Retreat is a dry hotel. As such, they do not serve alcoholic drinks, and the mini-bar is not stocked with alcohol.

Service and comfort: 5/5

Arab hospitality is well-renowned and felt throughout the retreat. One of the biggest perks of staying at the Kingfisher Retreat is having your own Morafik at your service (akin to a private butler). Once we settled down in our tent, our Morafik introduced himself over WhatsApp and ensured we knew he was available for any request.

Whenever we wanted to commute between our tent and the restaurant, or any other area of the retreat, all we had to do was phone the reception from our room and request a buggy pick-up. Being transported back and forth in a buggy driven by the staff felt like having a private chauffeur, and it was truly so much fun! The retreat always felt peaceful and with plenty of privacy, though at busier times we might have waited a few minutes for a buggy ride (nothing worth complaining about!).

In other areas of the retreat, from the check-in to the restaurant, all staff were friendly, polite, and professional. I got talking to a couple workers in the restaurant and, being Portuguese, they funnily started chatting about Cristiano Ronaldo and our football teams, which is usually the ice-breaker when I tell anyone which country I’m from 🙂

To do: 4/5

Although staying at the Kingfisher Retreat is meant to be a somehow off-grid experience, there are a lot of activities that can be done at the resort – and you certainly won’t be bored.

As previously mentioned, each tent has sand bikes stationed at the entrance for free use. We rode the bicycles around the retreat and to the beach. Because the retreat sprawls across the private island, there is plenty of space to enjoy the beach and either sunbathe or swim in the ocean – although I will admit that the fact that the beach is kept wild doesn’t make it very inviting for these activities (but great for taking walks!). Fortunately, since the tents include a private plunge pool you won’t have an issue with escaping the hot weather.

On one morning, I woke up before sunrise and watched the giant red orb raise itself above the water line. We wanted to catch a sight of the giant crabs that occupy the area, but sadly didn’t see any; however, we did spot small holes in the sand with tiny prints waddling away towards the sea. This is an area where turtles come to lay their eggs, and it shows just how close to nature you can be.

Of course, at the tent itself it’s possible to enjoy the private pool or cook your own barbecue (prepared ahead of time by the staff and for an additional charge). At night, we sat on the driveway watching the stars, which can be spotted quite easily given the reduced light pollution.

Apart from the amenities that can be enjoyed with the stay, you can also get spa treatments and massages for an additional price at the on-site wellness centre. Other activities are also possible, from kayaking to fishing, cycling tours, and sports classes. For those visiting as a family, there are also activities available for children, including both an outdoor playground and a kids area.

Location: 5/5

The retreat is located in the perfect area to allow for either a relaxed holiday with plenty of activities, or a break from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

If you arrive by plane, you can reach the Kingfisher Retreat from the nearest airport in Fujairah, or by taking on the 90-minute drive from Dubai. Here, you will have both beach, nature, and city at your doorstep.

Annexed to the property, you can visit the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, a protected natural reserve and the oldest mangrove forest in the Emirates, which is definitely worth visiting as a unique site of its kind in the UAE. Inside, you can bird-watch and attempt to spot some of the endangered species that the conservation centre is working to preserve. It is also a visitor’s centre with information about the area’s local biodiversity, making it the perfect activity for families.

In February each year, the Emirate of Sharjah also hosts the Sharjah Light Festival, with various locations across the Emirate. During our visit, Kalba waterfront was one of the locations for the light shows, and we swiftly paid it a visit from the retreat.

Bottom line

Overall, I would certainly return to the Kingfisher Retreat. When people hear about the UAE and its tourism, nature is rarely (if ever) mentioned – and in a country where 80% of the area is covered by desert, it certainly makes a place like Kalba a one-of-a-kind and unique sight.

I predict that this part of the country will remain a hidden gem for a while, so if you love to spend time privately in areas free from mass-tourism, the Kingfisher Retreat is the right choice for a special occasion, a family holiday, or a detox getaway.

While maintaining the high standard of hospitality and luxury, it is a different experience and a great alternative to the hustle and bustle, and the glitz and glam from the UAE’s large metropolises.

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*This review was possible as part of a previous media trip with Visit Sharjah. However, I was not requested or obliged to write this review. As always, all opinions are entirely my own and without bias.

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