The Lifestyle

Weekend Retreat

Weekend Retreat

Zaya Nurai Island Resort offers you the perfect weekend retreat for rest and relaxation.

Words by Aneesha Rai in The Lifestyle · May 14th, 2015

Located by the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Zaya Nurai Island is accessible by a ten minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island. Offering its visitors pristine and zen living, giving them time to unwind and relax. Often called a sanctuary for discerning individuals, this island resort offers you an unparalleled experience in nourishing your mind, body and soul.The island was conceived by Zaya’s CEO Nadia Zaal and hosts a truly exclusive community of beachfront estates, water villa homes and Zaya Hospitality, the island’s first boutique resort.


The Beach Villas host one bedroom throughout the development, where guests can enjoy latest in-room amenities, in-villa dining and dedicated butler service. With a private patio, sun deck, and infinity swimming pool, guests can take advantage of spending the weekend indoors being waited on hand and foot. The Beachfront Estates accommodate up to t12 people per villa and is perfect for large families or get togethers with friends. These six bedroom villas offer light and airy surroundings, private gardens, a private beach, infinity pools and reflecting pools. It also offers a gourmet kitchen, discrete service entrance and an entertainment deck. A tribute to “barefoot luxury”, the Waterfront villas can accommodate up to eight people , with the crystalline blue ocean waters offering up the most stunning vistas.


For gastronomes, the island offers a selection of bars and restaurants to tickle everyone’s fancies. Nurai Terrace is a French -style restaurant, offering rustic chic organic and seasonable fanfare. Olive, another restaurant on the island, offers Mediterranean-influenced specialties including Chateaubriand steak and lobster soufflé. Cooling olive and brass tones and neat bonsai trees are reminiscent of living in a very natural setting at this cosy restaurant. If you are looking for something more relaxed, the Beach Burger bistro offers a variety of mouth-watering organic burgers. A must-try is the is ‘The Big Burger’, made with Wagyu beef and globally sourced extras. If you just want to relax and enjoy the balmy weather, the Pool Bar enables you to chill out by the infinity pool.


Another more local alternative is to hang out at the Shisha Deck, which offers the finest selection of quality shisha flavors and an exclusive cigar collection.The resort also hosts an eponymous contemporary spa, kids club and dive centre. Come back from your retreat, feeling pampered and refreshed.

View our most exclusive listings on Nurai Island here.

Zaya Nurai Island; +9712 506 6222

Images Courtesy: Zaya Nurai Island