Bab Al shams - Dubai
Bab Al Shams is a 5-star resort that combines contemporary flair with Bedouin heritage.
Heritage has always defined the 5-star Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, and its nine-month renovation in 2022 aimed to add a contemporary flair while honouring the region’s Bedouin history. Designed to transport guests into the world of a ‘lost princess and her palace of treasures,’ the space is filled with curated furniture and décor, each piece brimming with character and symbolism.
The vegetation needed to reflect this same narrative—rich in history and charm. Olive trees were the natural choice, with their impressive 500-year lifespan serving as living windows into the past. A total of 23 olive trees were required to provide character throughout the resort, spanning the lobby, spa, four restaurants, and three lounges. However, Bab Al Shams’ traditional Middle Eastern architecture posed a challenge with its small windows and shaded interiors, as olive trees typically require ample sunlight to thrive.
TreeLocate was chosen to manufacture artificial bespoke trees and custom planters to achieve the desired aesthetic without environmental restrictions or maintenance concerns. Using natural, kiln-dried olive trunks ranging from 100 to 200 years old, paired with our ultra-realistic, inherently fire-retardant FireSilx olive foliage, we created lifelike replicas that remained true to the resort’s vision. The largest tree, standing 3 meters tall with a 2.2-meter canopy, became a striking centrepiece in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired signature restaurant, Zala.
With over 25 years of expertise in bespoke trees, our team worked closely with Bab Al Shams from the design stage, conducting multiple site visits to carefully measure spaces and assess lighting conditions. Created in our facility just 45 km from the resort, the trees were built with client collaboration in mind, allowing real-time adjustments throughout the process. Once approved, they were carefully disassembled, transported, and reassembled on-site by our own team, ensuring a seamless installation.
Photography - Natelee Cocks
