Al Bait Sharjah
How to spend AED 250,000 / USD $68,000 on a weekend in Sharjah
Some folk in the UAE spend the entirety of their weekends holed up in a cosy nook at home, recovering from the week’s worth of hustle, while others splash out like there’s no tomorrow. And while Dubai has long since been the epicentre of thingsto-do, its northern counter-Emirate, Sharjah, is rising the ranks on luxury recreation in a big and bold way.
Having opened its traditional doors to the public at the end of 2018, Al Bait Sharjah, a GHM and The Leading Hotels of the World property, is a cornerstone of Arabian splendour, and has seen a bevy of luxury guests indulge in its homey privacy since its opening. Located in the Heart of Sharjah, the hotel’s ancient architecture has been delicately preserved, paying homage to its heritage while servicing the needs of a discerning 21st century traveler. All the indulgent mod cons sit alongside time-honoured antiquities giving you a blended experience of two worlds coming effortlessly together.
Now, it might not seem like the most obvious thing to do a twoday break in Sharjah, but luxury travelers in the know are flocking to one of the only truly Emirati experiences, steeped in real tradition and history. You don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to lap up all that Al Bait has to offer, but if you want the most exclusive experience a cool AED250,000 (USD$68,063.75) will see you through this package perfectly – which is the equivalent of 1.5kg in gold.
The weekend begins by arriving in style on a luxury yacht with exclusive welcome amenities featuring 24k edible gold – a fitting first impression. From the dock, a 1967 Mercedes Pullman – one of only 304 in the world – will transfer you directly to the hotel.
Once at the resort you’ll be ushered to your home away from home. A standard room – as deluxe as it is, doesn’t compare to the entire, fully privatized Bait Al Midfa Heritage House you’ll be occupying during your stay.
The suite will be strewn with flower decorations on a scale of a floral atelier and utterly personalized every which way you turn. From gold embroidered and initialed wardrobes and slippers, to a personalized engraved jewelry set from the renowned local designer in The Jewellery Shop located within the resort. While enjoying your splendor, you’ll be served with The Al Bait Tray for Two – complete with a gold twist, including one of the most expensive desserts in the world adorned in gold and jewels, replete with the most expensive organic ingredients – but for now, the secret of what it is exactly, remains tight lipped.
You’ll be lathered in a private exotic couple’s spa retreat within your already secluded Heritage House. Depending on your preference (and the weather), you have the choice of the treatment outdoors or in one of the atmospheric rooms in the spa.
Floating from your spa experience, the day ends with you cozying up under the stars watching a suitably romantic film in an outdoor cinema experience in the privacy of the Heritage Courtyard with – of course – gold popcorn or a full on gastronomic affair should you so wish.
The next morning will find you stirring from your specially imported AED80,795 (USD$22,000 mattress – which boasts two extra hours of sleep as opposed to a normal bed – to a curated breakfast served out at sea on a yacht. Back on land, you’ll be escorted to a private calligraphy class with (again) gold back at the resort.
Having mastered the art of calligraphy, you can wander past the only surviving hundred year-old round windtower in the region, to a private lunch held in the heart of the kitchen at Al Bait Sharjah, where you’ll interact with the Chef and see his deft skills at play, as your dish comes to life. The afternoon will find you whisked off to have a fitting for a tailor-made abaya and kandoora, the female and male tradition dress, by a famous Arab fashion designer, which will then be shipped anywhere you’d like, once it’s ready.
The day will draw to a close with a curated dinner picnic on a private island in Sharjah with a private musician and butler service while you watch the sun dip into the horizon. Naturally, a royal bathing ceremony will greet you upon your return to the resort.
Your day of departure will begin with a spiritual awakening ceremony at a private pool with a spot of yoga, smoothly taking you to a romantic breakfast in the privacy of the Heritage House. All you’ll need to do is rest and relax in the lead up to your departure, upon which a custom farewell gift from Al Bait Sharjah will be given as a token of your unique stay.