LW Design transforms the legendary Bab Al Shams into a refined desert sanctuary — a poetic fusion of heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary Arabic splendour beneath the vast Arabian sky.
LW Design reimagines one of Dubai’s most storied resorts into a refined sanctuary where modern Arabic elegance harmonises with the spirit of the desert. Commissioned by Nakheel and Kerzner International under the Rare Finds brand, Bab Al Shams has been reborn as a destination that honours its heritage while inviting new expressions of culture, comfort, and craft.
Guided by the narrative of The Lost Princess, the design unfolds as her sanctuary, a place of quiet opulence and rediscovered beauty. The story is told through form, light, and texture. Subtle architectural gestures integrate seamlessly with the existing adobe structures, while the reinterpreted interiors echo the rhythm of traditional craftsmanship expressed through a modern lens.
Guests arrive through a grand gateway of oversized doors and into a landscape designed by Square M, where mature palms, water features, and age-old foliage welcome them with a sense of timeless continuity. The new porte cochere extends a dappled canopy of shade, creating a moment of stillness before the desert’s expanse opens beyond. A restrained palette of natural materials such as barasti-style canopies, earthen plaster walls, and timber columns lends both authenticity and calm.
Inside, the lobby bar reveals layers of mystery and glamour. Inspired by a traveller’s chest, the back bar captures the romance of journey and discovery. Light filters through patterned screens, casting shifting shadows across textured surfaces. As dusk deepens, the play of decorative illumination transforms the space into a setting of quiet allure and desert intimacy.
The guestrooms and suites have been sensitively transformed to retain their original character while introducing modern comfort. LW Design preserved the concrete flooring, resurfacing it in micro-concrete to maintain its rustic honesty. Timber tones and a soft bastakiya palette create a warm equilibrium with the desert’s reflected light. Suites celebrate Arabian glamour through handcrafted furniture, jewel-toned fabrics, and intricately layered details that evoke both nostalgia and renewal.
Across the resort, every element bears the mark of intentional craftsmanship. Locally sourced furnishings, hand-knotted rugs, mother-of-pearl inlays, and ceramic accents draw together a contemporary interpretation of Arabic luxury. The dining experiences at Zala, Anwa, and Al Hadeerah reflect a journey of cultural connection where Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences are expressed through taste, theatre, and texture.
Sustainability weaves through every layer of design. LW Design embraced re-use and upcycling as guiding principles, restoring furniture, repurposing artwork, and preserving key architectural features. Capsule Arts curated an expressive art collection featuring regional artists whose work enhances the resort’s story through texture, heritage, and imagination.
From the grand porte cochere to the intimate spa and rooftop terraces, Bab Al Shams emerges as a rare dialogue between past and present, a desert icon reborn with grace, authenticity, and luminous artistry.
Project: Bab Al Shams
Location: Dubai
Design Studio: LW Design Group
Photo Credits: Natelee Cocks
Website: lw.co
