Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor has custom-tailored an exquisite Iftar and Ghabga experience for you and your loved ones to celebrate in a private desert pool villa. The FACT family drives down towards Zallaq as the sun sets, ready for a luxurious evening…

Arriving at the beautiful Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor, we’re in awe of the stillness and calming serenity of this place. After parking, we are picked up by a buggy which drives us to our private pool villa where our Iftar is awaiting us (and we were waiting for it too). Entering the villa, we are completely blown away by the stunning setting. The majestic pillars, the golden lights, the crystal blue pool, and the starry night sky — just magical. The team has captured the spirit of Ramadan and the need for more intimate surroundings just perfectly. Before we are able to observe all the beauty in more detail, our Iftar table is calling us. Its setting is candid to the eyes with all the immaculately decorated platters on it. Is this for real? Everything looks like a dream, but that’s not surprising coming from Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor – they always go above and beyond.

After the cannon fires, we start to indulge beginning with the first date. Warming up with a rich pumpkin soup, we continue with the creamiest moutabel. The fatoush and tabouleh salads were also a hit for our taste buds – fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor. But it is the perfectly-cooked juicy lamb ouzi that has us in awe and we can’t stop eating it, well, until it is no more, of course.

However, that’s not a problem, because the crispy-fried Safi fish is just as delicious. A good sip of thick and refreshing laban, and we carry on with the moreish cheese samosa. These little pockets of heaven make us wonder how something so simple can be so good. Once bit into the crust, they melt in your mouth, giving you complete satisfaction.

The succulent and flavourful grilled chicken is certainly a palate-pleaser with its aptly seasoned marination. For dessert, the scrumptious kunafa steals our hearts and makes for the sweetest ending of our Ramadan tasting at Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor. But our evening is not ending yet.

Last but not least, we chill with some evening tea and Arabic coffee — enjoying the magical atmosphere at the poolside together with the cool desert breeze. A memorable Iftar evening that we will not forget anytime soon. Stepping away from your usual Iftar set up and providing you with a chance to escape the city, we highly recommend booking a private desert pool villa at Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor for a Ramadan Iftar experience unlike anywhere else in town. ✤

GO: CALL 17845000 FOR RESERVATIONS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION.