Two hotels from UAE in top 20

ABU DHABI // Dubai's Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa and Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace have been rated among the 20 best hotels in the region. Emirates Palace took 12th place in the Conde Nast Traveller readers' award for hotels in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean, with a rating of 85.25 per cent. Al Maha Desert Resort was 14th, up six places from last year. The resort's rating improved to 83.81 per cent, from 79.59 per cent last year.

Designed to resemble a Bedouin camp, the Al Maha resort is set in 225 square kilometres of desert landscape, with panoramic views of the Hajar mountains. Each room has a private pool and guests are offered the chance to engage in traditional desert pursuits such as falconry, camel treks, horse riding and archery. The Chedi in Muscat came first in the region, with a score of 95.19 per cent, after placing second last year.

Hotels were given ratings for their ambience and decor, environmental friendliness, location, leisure facilities, service and comfort. lmorris@thenational.ae The hotel scored above 90 in nine out of 10 criteria, falling below that mark only in the value-for -money category. Six Senses Hideaway on Koh Samui, Thailand, won best hotel in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Others in the top-20 included the Singita Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Cocoa Island Resort in the Maldives and North Island in the Seychelles The Explora en Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico in Chile, won the Americas and Caribbean category.