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UAE residents take ‘Ramadan-cations’ as retreats offer iftar, suhoor with overnight stays
From desert camps to mountain resorts, Ramadan nights are taking on a more experience-led approach this year
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Feb 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Thu 26 Feb 2026, 8:19 AM
Resorts and desert retreats across the UAE have rolled out special overnight packages combining iftar, suhoor and accommodation, as Ramadan nights take on a more experience-led approach this year. The hospitality sector is calling this emerging trend a ‘Ramadan-cation’.
From desert landscapes in Sharjah to mountain escapes in Hatta and family-focused resorts in Dubai, hotels are introducing Ramadan stays designed to offer residents a more reflective way to spend evenings during the holy month.
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One such experience comes from Mleiha National Park, which has launched its Ramadan Star Lounge, allowing guests to break their fast under open desert skies before staying overnight at a campsite surrounded by dunes and rocky ridges.
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The experience includes traditional iftar meals, suhoor and overnight desert camping, offering visitors a chance to spend Ramadan nights away from the city while enjoying stargazing in a quiet natural setting.
A similar offering is available in Hatta, where JA Hatta Fort Hotel has introduced Ramadan mountain stay packages throughout the holy month. The retreat includes overnight accommodation along with iftar and suhoor dining, outdoor experiences and guided sunrise activities set against the Hajar Mountains. Guests can choose outdoor communal iftars or opt for in-room suhoor, turning the stay into a relaxed overnight escape.
Operators said Ramadan stays are increasingly being designed around shared experiences rather than traditional leisure travel, with emphasis on family time, reflection and late-night gatherings that continue until suhoor.
LEGOLAND Dubai Resort has also launched a Ramadan stay-and-play package starting from Dh199 per person, combining accommodation with access to theme park attractions alongside seasonal Ramadan and Eid activities.
Khaleej Times recently reported on faithful travelling during Ramadan in search of silence, reflection and spiritual reconnection, with some UAE residents opting for quiet farm stays, island retreats and religious journeys instead of traditional holidays. Travellers said the focus was not sightseeing, but disconnecting from daily noise and embracing calmer routines centred around prayer, rest and reflection during the holy month.
While some residents are travelling abroad or seeking remote retreats for spiritual purposes, hospitality operators within the UAE are now adapting similar ideas closer to home. With many residents remaining in the country during Ramadan, hotels and retreats are curating experiences that allow guests to transition seamlessly from iftar to suhoor without daily distractions.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
