Location: Dubai Desert Bab Al Shams Resort

Architect: Anarchitect

Interior Designer: Delfina Design

Hotel Group/ Developer: Kerzner

Construction: Khansaheb Civil Engineering

Photography: Natelee Cocks

Delfina Design, a boutique interior design studio founded by Milan-born Delfina Cortese in the heart of Dubai Downtown, brings a refined vision to high-end, tailored projects. Tasked with crafting the Desert Villas at Bab Al Shams, Delfina Design reinterprets upscale desert living by seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary luxury.

Nestled within the legendary dunes, the Villas embrace silence as the ultimate luxury, offering an immersive retreat from Dubai’s vibrant energy. Inspired by the natural landscape, the design is smooth, soft, and discreet—never overpowering but in perfect harmony with the desert. Every element evokes calm and tranquility, reflecting a deep respect for the surroundings.

A defining feature is the signature portal—over four meters high, crafted from slatted walnut wood—standing beneath a skylight in the main living area. This monumental entrance pays homage to the name Bab Al Shams, meaning “doors of the sun.”

With an emphasis on all-natural materials, the Villas exude warmth and authenticity. Stone-carved details echo the region’s heritage while elevating luxury hospitality to a new standard. Merging into the silence of the desert rather than disrupting it, Delfina Design creates a space where architecture, landscape, and tradition exist in perfect balance.