Dedicated to the land and the sand – here’s what to expect from Dubai’s party resort.
If you are more of a glamper than a camper, then you’ll be thrilled to hear that Terra Solis has crafted a desert retreat that combines luxurious accommodations with some severe party vibes. Terra Solis has been created by the same team behind the Belgian music festival, Tomorrowland, and is spread over 371,000 square meters in Al Yufra, Dubailand.
The desert resort is located approximately 30 minutes from Downtown Dubai and is a serene spot nestled amidst the dunes. Arriving on-site, guests are greeted with signs indicating that gazelles are in the area before entering a tented reception area where staff with butterfly wings sashay over to present cold towels. So far, so boho-chic.
Guests are then shuttled out to their accommodations via buggy, passing a falaj system used for irrigation in the desert, before arriving at the Terra Solis site. Carved into a dune, Terra Solis Dubai unfolds like a Roman amphitheatre of revellers, with the resort name written in giant letters upon the crest of an undulating dune.
Desert chic
Inspired by the land ‘terra’ and the stars ‘solis’, Terra Solis Dubai encompasses three types of accommodation. The 24 North Star-inspired Polaris tents are air-conditioned tents (sans bathroom) and designed for two, but include access to shared showers and toilets. The 20 Perseid lodges are named after the annual Perseid meteor showers and include a queen-sized bed, plus your own bathroom and toilet. If you want to feel like a VIP, then book yourself into one of the six Orion pool lodges.
We stay in one of the six Orion lodges that flank the oasis-style resort pool. Named after one of the most prominent constellations, the chic abode features a comfortable king-sized bed, potted plants, woven rugs and just enough cupboard space for a quick weekend getaway. The adjacent washroom and bathroom combine sleek black fixtures, wonderful wooden flooring, and a mirror etched with the aspirational affirmation: “You are beautiful.”
While not as luxurious as Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa or Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Terras Solis Dubai offers an alternative type of accommodation, one that provides creature comforts in a convenient location amidst the action of Terra Solis’ pumping pool. The Orion Lodge may be rustic, but the terrace is oh-so-Instagrammable, complete with sofas and a pretty private plunge pool that allows you to enjoy the thumping DJ beats and party vibe with a little bit of privacy.
Day-to-night fun
Most guests visit Terra Solis Dubai purely for the pool. The expansive body of brilliant blue water emerges from the surrounding sands like a shimmering mirage. Surrounded by floating day beds topped with golden butterflies and a pulsating soundtrack from morning to night, it’s the place for sun, sand, swimming and shisha. However, the atmospheric Balleric beats with a touch of Afrobeats and dance-driven remixes to hip-hip classics set the tone and amplify the boho chic vibe, drawing an eclectic crowd. Staff are on hand to apply temporary Tomorrowland tattoos, allowing visitors to embrace the festival vibes before taking a dip or posing at one of the many mirrored surfaces scattered amidst the pineapple-shaped showers.
Weekends at Terra Solis Dubai revolve around revellery and as the last glimmer of the sun dips below the horizon, the music gets louder. Just like Tomorrowland, Terra Solis has been drawing big names from the world of dance music into the Dubai desert. The recent lineup of DJs to descend on the desert dunes includes Diplo, Nina Kraviz, and Seth Troxler. All performed on the Amare Stage beneath a sculpture of a steampunk falcon with its wings splayed across the dance floor to envelop night owls in an ambience of pure euphoria.
Desert Dining
Terra Solis is home to Mesa, a poolside terrace restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired sharing dishes. The decor offers a back-to-nature approach with its rugged stone walls, wooden ceilings and abundance of foliage that wouldn’t be amiss in Bali or Tulum. The concise menu is anchored around ingredients sourced from dedicated local growers, farmers and producers. It offers tempting choices ranging from grilled octopus and burrata to Atlantic cod and beef tagliatata. The Hamachi Tiradito doused in leche de tigre, mango puree, and chill would be our recommendation paired with a signature cocktail such as the Coca Marga (chilli-infused tequila with coconut cream and fresh lime).
Tomorrowland fans should come to the resort and stay for the parties. Terra Solis Dubai hosts epic all-nighters with world-class DJs aplenty, where the beat will go on (and on).
GO: Visit https://terrasolisdubai.com for bookings and information.
