Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara received the “Middle East’s Leading Desert Resort Award 2011” at the World Travel Award 2011 Middle East Ceremony, which took place on Monday 2 May at the Armani Hotel Dubai.

The project was born from the vision of the leadership of the UAE, to celebrate the traditions and roots of the country, and is built in the Liwa Desert, one of its most breathtaking landscapes.  The architecture is inspired by authentic forts from the Liwa Desert, and is located in the Empty Quarter, overlooking a natural long valley that runs for several kilometres from East to West.

The resort was designed as a celebration of Abu Dhabi’s heritage to highlight its rich culture, and smoothly blends into the surrounding environment, which boasts settlements dating back 7,000 years.

Sitting upon a crescent-shaped dune, the resort offers 154 rooms, 42 villas and 10 royal villas, resembling majestic palaces, with spacious living and dining areas, private pools and outdoor terraces. Qasr Al Sarab is a haven of comfort and pure extravagance.

Boyd Barker, Acting GM, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara said: “We are very thankful and honored to receive this award for the 2nd time. Our focus this year is to drive growth by increasing our business relationships with the international market, and this award is testament to our efforts. Anantara’s aim in the region is to become a role model in the Arabian hospitality industry, and key for Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort to achieveing this goal, has been its dedication to ensuring every guest’s trip is enriched by local experiences, within a breathtaking environment.”

The World Travel Awards are prestigious the world over for recognizing true quality within the travel industry. Voting takes place online over an entire year, and travel agents and members of the travelling public globally are encouraged to vote.