Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2021 recognises two Sharjah eco-retreats

Mysk Kingfisher Retreat and Mysk Al Faya Retreat win international award

The Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, designed by Dubai architecture firm, Anarchitect. Satish Kumar / The National

The isolated location of Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah adds to its impact from the moment you arrive. Satish Kumar / The National

Al Faya Lodge consists of five bedrooms, a spa and a saltwater pool, with restaurants across the road. Satish Kumar / The National

As you arrive at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Californian desert. Satish Kumar / The National

Terrace sitting area at the Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

A look at the rooms at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Al Faya Lodge has been designed to enhance, rather than compete with, the natural world. Satish Kumar / The National

The pool was designed to 'connect with the landscape'. Satish Kumar / The National

The design ensured it was not a 'closed off' area. Satish Kumar / The National

General sitting area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Massage room at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Inside the restaurant at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

'Al Faya Lodge has an urbanity to it, which is cinematic,' says Jonathan Ashmore, the founder and director of Anarchitect. Satish Kumar / The National

.'You embrace it, rather than deny it. You do feel like you’ve entered the desert,' Ashmore adds. Satish Kumar / The National

Terrace sitting area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, where you can take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Satish Kumar / The National

The buildings at Al Faya Lodge date back to the 1960s and originally housed a grocery store and medical clinic. Satish Kumar / The National

Private dining area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Himalaya salt room in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Tropical rain shower area in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Herbal sauna area in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National

Sharjah’s eco-conscious hotels Mysk Kingfisher Retreat and Mysk Al Faya Retreat have been recognised by the 2021 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

The properties, located in distinct areas of the emirate, are owned by Sharjah Collection by Mysk, a group of boutique eco-retreats under the Mysk by Shaza umbrella.

Despite the challenges to the travel industry brought about by the pandemic, these two retreats continued to receive positive traveller reviews on Tripadvisor over the past 12 months.

What is Mysk Kingfisher Retreat?

Nestled in Khor Kalba, the Kingfisher Retreat is set in an exclave in a region that was once known for its fishing market. It offers 20 beautifully designed tents, each of which comes with a private pool, and is designed to reflect the country’s heritage. The main tent has a communal space where freshly cooked food is served up daily, and fire pits offer pockets to cosy up in under the stars.

Located on the Gulf of Oman's coast, it boasts stunning views, while the nearby mangroves are home to a turtle breeding area, and ornithologists will enjoy the many species of birds that call the area home.

The mountain-dotted backdrop offers a taste of adventure, with walking and hiking trails, as well as being a great base from which to jump if you want to do a spot of paragliding.

"One of the best natural retreats I have visited," wrote Tripadvisor user Omar Al Falasi on June 10, giving the Kingfisher Lodge five stars. "Food was amazing and delicious, staff were extremely nice and helpful, room was very clean and cosy. I hope to visit the place again in winter to experience the cold weather there."

Charlotte D, from Lancaster in the UK, wrote earlier this month: “We could not fault the resort and will be coming back and recommending to all. Thank you to the Kingfisher team for an excellent stay.”

What is Mysk Al Faya Retreat?

Mysk Al Faya Retreat, designed by Dubai firm Anarchitect, is a stark yet stunning five-room boutique hotel and saltwater spa located in the Sharjah desert. It combines luxury with bold, innovative architecture. Most striking, though, is the sense of isolation.

"My friends and I stayed at Al Faya retreat and had the most amazing time," wrote Nadia S, who titled her Tripadvisor review "Best staycation ever". "It was incredible. Best staff, and such a beautiful location. It was so clean and Covid-friendly and the food was so good."

Saidja D, from Mumbai, India, described their stay as “amazing”. “Staff is extremely well trained … We loved our stay and went to the different geology sites and hiked as well. Superb.”

'Consistently excellent'

Shafik Alaaeddine, general manager of Sharjah Collection by Mysk, said he was “thrilled” that the two properties won the award. “It shows our consistency at delivering quality and excellence across our hotels. It also shows that our guests understand and appreciate our efforts to please and serve them, which is something we are known for.”

Kanika Soni, chief commercial officer at Tripadvisor, said she was impressed by how tourism businesses adapted amid the pandemic, “implementing new cleanliness measures, adding social distancing guidelines and utilising technology to prioritise guest safety”.

“The Travelers’ Choice Awards highlight the places that are consistently excellent, delivering quality experiences time and time again even while navigating changing customer expectations and new ways of working.

“Based on a full year of reviews from customers, this award speaks to the great service and experience you provided guests in the midst of a pandemic.”

This isn't the first time Mysk Al Faya Retreat has been recognised internationally. In 2019, British architecture and design magazine Dezeen included it, alongside The Opus by Zaha Hadid, among its top 10 hotels for the year.