Anantara Opens its Fourth Property in Abu Dhabi

Anantara has opened its fourth property in Abu Dhabi, the Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort.

Capitalising on the diverse beach and wildlife of Sir Bani Yas Island, the new resort offers an alternative stay experience complementing the existing Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara.

Sir Bani Yas Island is the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates and is home to one of the region’s largest wildlife reserves which was established in 1971 by the country’s late ruler and founder. Thanks to decades of intensive conservation work, the island is now home to thousands of free-roaming animals such as the oryx, gazelles, giraffes and cheetahs, along with several million trees and plants.

Comprising of 30 beachfront villas, Al Yamm, meaning ‘The Sea’, resides on the eastern shores of Sir Bani Yas Island. The retreat also offers villas situated on a tranquil lagoon rich with high mangroves, offering guests views of the elegant white and pink flamingos that favour this verdant sanctuary.

21 One Bedroom Villas can be found on the beach, where guests can benefit from a shoreline position with uninterrupted beachfront vistas, while 7 One Bedroom Pool Villas and 2 Two Bedroom Anantara Pool Villas, each with private plunge pools, feature views over the salt-water lagoon.

Each villa features a rainforest shower with large separate bathtub to unwind in, as well as high-definition flat screen TV’s and an iPod docking station.

Guests can dine at the Italian restaurant, Olio, offering all day dining and a lounge bar, or enjoy one of the island’s five other restaurants, including the signature seafood restaurant, Samak, or the beachside Amwaj restaurant launched earlier this year. Additional facilities include a beachside swimming pool, a library and an exercise room.

A wide range of adventures are available on the island, including a nature and wildlife drive, kayaking amongst the mangroves, horse riding or scuba diving, or can simply relax with a signature treatment in the Anantara Spa.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group, Anantara’s owning company, said, “We are very happy to open our fourth property in Abu Dhabi. Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort is a great addition to the facilities on Sir Bani Yas Island, perfectly complementing our existing property Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara and offering a great alternative stay option for guests using the recently opened watersports centre and conference centre.”

The new resort is managed by the Thai hospitality group Anantara, which also manages Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, the only other hotel currently present on the island. The opening is the first of two new developments planned for the expansion of Sir Bani Yas Island, with Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort slated to open at the end of 2013.

In addition to the opening of these unique villa retreats, Desert Islands Conference Centre and Desert Islands WaterSports Centre also launched recently on the island, along with Sir Bani Yas Stables in early 2012.