Old men told of this place where water flowed from a rock, the perpetual spring fed by ancient underground lakes. Birds gathered in the dense trees, Gazelle hid from the shimmering heat under matted palms, and occasionally even the hardened, elusive Arabian Leopard was seen in the distant mountains.

The desert is an unforgiving place to those who cannot read its signs or understand its subtle warnings. Without the grasses or the palms, the vengeful sands first covered the dry rock pools, then smothered the trees, and finally buried the encampment that had strangled the flow of water from the rock.

Through generations, young adventurers were lost in the shifting sand as they searched for signs of Al Maha. Many trekked over the buried place, only to fall next to their exhausted camels, a noble fate at the end of a fruitless journey.

Confounded by the disobedience of his hunting falcon, a young man followed his bird's movements over the dunes, only to find it perched on a thin branch protruding through the sand. Approaching the bird, the young man's anger turned to curiosity when he noticed small green leaves sprouting from the slender branch. Knowing this was a sure sign of water below, the youth and his brothers later returned to the same place and together they dug away the layers of time.

Finally, after removing a stout wedge in a rocky ledge, the brothers watched as water bubbled out and began to wash the sands away, revealing the ancient walls of the camp. Soon, the lost oasis reformed.

The brothers settled alongside the pools, vowing that never again would any man or animal of the desert be denied the source of all life. Palms and once-lost wild vegetation flourished around the ancient walls and rocky pools. The wild animals returned, but the surest sign of the rebirth of this fabled place was the return of the Arabian Oryx, after which the oasis had always been named.

Every time you stay at Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, you have the support of a dedicated Guest Relations Coordinator throughout your stay.

Exuding the warmth and hospitality which are hallmarks of traditional Arabic culture, our well-trained staff will deliver your exact requirements with thoughtful, bespoke and pre-emptive service.

With the utmost discretion, your Guest Relations Coordinator will note and ensure that each personal requirement is met, every time you stay at Al Maha.They will take care of your pillow and food preferences, special dietary needs and itineraries, even pre-setting the ambient temperature of your swimming pool. Used to hosting visits by Presidents, Princes and VIP’s from around the world, the team at Al Maha is well equipped to cope with making arrangements for the most discerning of guests who expect matchless hospitality.

Your Guest Relations Coordinator can be relied upon to help orchestrate some of the most memorable moments in your life. With staff from 20 different nationalities, speaking 28 languages between them, we can help to communicate your exact needs and deliver them to perfection.

Many guests return to Al Maha time and time again, finding Al Maha is the favoured location for an idyllic stay in luxury, tranquility and privacy.

We are pleased to accommodate families; however, children under 10 years of age are not permitted in the resort.