Moon Retreat – the family-friendly luxury destination nestled in the midst of Sharjah’s desert landscape, near the archaeologically rich Mleiha region – is all set to welcome overnight guests, from desert adventurers to glampers. It is the fourth eco-luxury retreat to join Shurooq’s Sharjah Collection brand, managed by Mysk by Shaza.
With 75% of its construction completed, the retreat’s soft-opening was timed to take advantage of the current weather, ideal for immersing in the flurry of outdoor activities and nature-inspired experiences that the region has on offer.
Khawla Al Hashimi, Director of Project Development at Shurooq, said: “Moon Retreat offers camping enthusiasts, tourists and visitors of all ages looking to explore the region’s most stunning natural attractions, an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in unique holiday experiences and relax in nature, away from the hustle of the city. It is a part of Shurooq’s broader vision and mission to bolster the existing offerings at the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism destination, transforming this historic land of archaeological wonders into a fully-integrated and serviced community for tourists and visitors looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure experience in the UAE.”
Shurooq – Sharjah Investment and Development Authority – currently has a diversified portfolio of infrastructure projects, with a total value of more than AED 10 billion and covering a total land space of more than 12.4 million square metres across Sharjah’s western, central and eastern regions.
The Moon Retreat is in close proximity to Shurooq’s previously developed public attractions in the region. One is the Mysk Al Faya Retreat, a boutique resort also operating under Shurooq’s “Sharjah Collection” brand and managed by ‘Mysk by Shaza.’ The others are Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism destination and the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. Mleiha is of particular interest for lovers of local history, with finds dating back to the Neolithic period – about 12,000 to 6,500 year ago – and left largely undiscovered until recently.
Moon Retreat embodies Shurooq’s approach to developing Sharjah’s eco-tourism landscape in compliance with international sustainability standards. The latest addition to its bouquet of luxurious offerings has been built, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment, while offering guests an authentic camping atmosphere with modern creature comforts. One of Moon Retreat’s biggest attractions will be its stargazing opportunities, thanks to very little light pollution in the vast Mleiha desert.
Built on the desert glamping concept – combining resort-style services with traditional camping – Moon Retreat offers ten single-bed domes, four family tents and two single-bed tents. Each unit is self-sufficient and fitted with amenities that guests would require on a day-to-day basis. Guests can pre-order ready-to-grill meals during their stay, which can be cooked on the private barbeque grills in their tents while enjoying Mleiha’s breath-taking landscape.
Most of the domes and tents also feature private pools. The resort has a reception area were guest are welcomed, and a communal area featuring a bonfire and BBQ pit where guests can come together and socialise.
For those seeking to explore the vast Mleiha region, the resort offers advise on hiking route trails that allow them to create their own unique journeys of discovery. An entire day can be spent in the nearby Mleiha Archaeological Centre, which is home to a fascinating collection of artefacts and fossils discovered in massive archaeological excavations which have revealed the oldest evidence of human life outside of Africa.
In addition to the Archaeological Centre, guests at the Moon Retreat may also access the activities offered by the other properties in the vicinity, such as the Mysk Al Faya Retreat and Mysk Al Badayer Retreat in the nearby Al Badayer Desert.
Khawla Al Hashimi added: “Developing such eco-friendly retreats continues to position Sharjah as the hub of responsible tourism in the region. Shurooq’s eco-tourism projects have contributed significantly to helping tourists and visitors connect with our heritage and nature, while playing a great role in boosting the emirate’s leisure and cultural status across the global tourism sector. They not only contribute to making a positive impact on the environment and economy, but also help develop local communities, promote authentic traditional experiences and contribute to building bridges between cultures.”
