Sharjah’s Shurooq set to welcome guests to luxury destination ‘Moon Retreat’

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is set to welcome guests to its fourth eco-luxury destination ‘Moon Retreat’, the construction of which is 75 per cent complete.

The luxury retreat will form part of Shurooq’s Sharjah Collection brand, managed by Mysk by Shaza, and will entertain overnight guests – desert adventurers and glampers alike – from around the world in Q1 this year.

Designed to offer guests an authentic camping atmosphere with modern comforts, Moon Retreat will also extend stargazing opportunities, due to sparing pollution in the Mleiha desert. This will be Shurooq’s second boutique hospitality offering in the Mleiha region, the first one being Mysk Al Faya Retreat.

It will conform to the sustainable heritage and ecotourism standards of Shurooq, with all structures being built ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Moon Retreat will feature 10 single-bed domes, four family tents and two single-bed tents. Each unit is fitted with all amenities required on a day-to-day basis. Guests can pre-order ready-to-grill meals during their stay, which can be cooked on their private barbeque grills in their tents. Most of the domes and tents will also feature private pools.

Guests will be advised on hiking route trails to allow them to create their own journeys of discovery and exploration of the Mleiha region.

Guests at the Moon Retreat will be allowed access to activities offered by the other properties in the vicinity such as Mysk Al Faya Retreat and Mleiha Archaeological Centre, including Mysk Al Badayer Retreat in the nearby Al Badayer Desert. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre is home to a collection of artifacts and fossils discovered in archaeological excavations, revealing the oldest evidence of human life outside of Africa, on the Mleiha site.

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.”

“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.”