Sharjah plans to build a new eco-retreat on its east coast, showcasing an off-grid hospitality concept that blends opulent lodging with little environmental impact, later this year.
Nomad, which is set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2025, will include 20 solar-powered trailers in the mountain valleys of Kalba, close to the Kalba Nature Reserve. To promote digital disengagement and preserve night sky visibility, the locally constructed units will function with no Wi-Fi and no lighting.
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) runs a portfolio of eco-retreats called the "Sharjah Collection," of which this project is the most recent addition. In recent years, the authority has spent over Dh300 million to build the network, which now includes seven locations located throughout the emirate's mountains, deserts, coastlines, and historic towns. In addition to providing tourists with slower, more meaningful travel experiences, officials say the measures are intended to protect biodiversity and cultural identity.
The Sharjah Collection now has 154 lodging options in a variety of settings. The retreats are part of a larger hospitality portfolio worth Dh850 million, according to officials.
Al Faya Retreat is a five-room boutique hotel with desert trails and modern dining that was created by repurposing two 1960s structures in the desert of Mleiha.
Kingfisher Retreat offers 40 sea-facing tents made of sustainable materials and is located within a mangrove reserve overseen by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority. With domes and high-end tents, Moon Retreat in Mleiha is a glamping destination that offers yoga and stargazing.
Other developments include Al Rayaheen Retreat, Al Badayer Retreat. Al Badayer Retreat offers camel rides and dune experiences in Sharjah's red dunes and is designed in the style of a caravanserai.
On the east coast, Khorfakkan's Najd Al Meqsar features restored heritage homes and access to a 300-year-old fort. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage has worked with the town's historic center to convert 19 traditional homes into guest houses and cultural spaces at Al Rayaheen Retreat.
