Founder of Sonara & Nara Collection
Stephanie Reichenbach is a celebrated entrepreneur and Founder of the Sonara & Nara Collection.
She started working early at the age of 18, on the External Foreign Exchange Desk entering data and in the space of a few years was promoted to Private Banker covering Africa. By the age of 28, she was named a VP at Citibank and Director at 30.
Her entrepreneurial journey started after she relocated to Dubai. Her aim was to create unique, luxury, eco-friendly desert experiences contrary to the mass market offers available. Nara was launched in 2018 with a single nomadic-style camp offering fine dining, curated entertainment and overnight stays in luxury tents. 2019 marked the launch of the Sonara Camp concept – a stunning fixed camp located in the desert conservation area, with a capacity to hold up to 450 guests for both private dining and corporate events. Nara is named after Stephanie’s four sons – Neil, Adam, Ryan and Adrian.
Following its success in Dubai, Sonara expanded to Ras Al Khaimah with a camp in the Al Wadi Nature Reserve on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi. Visitors can book a sunset or sunset with dinner package, both of which come with family-friendly activities such as sandboarding, volleyball, soft archery and an owl show.
She has also introduced Nara Nomad with the aim of offering a new perspective of Dubai city tour. The concept shines a spotlight on the emirate’s culinary, retail and cultural attractions.
Spending nearly every vacation on her father’s boat as a child, Stephanie has always had an affinity for all that is nautical. In 2022, she launched Nara on the Sea, a concept that combines the expertise of impeccable service, dining and entertainment that she has perfected in the desert, offering the same caliber of the Nara experience – this time on the sea.
Nara on the sea offers guests an unforgettable cruise experience through the waterways of the Omani gulf, aboard the Dhahab, a luxury, traditional 90ft Omani dhow.
In September 2022, she launched a new luxurious overnight desert experience. The Nest by Sonara is an eco-friendly camp consisting of 14 structures that blend into the dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Designed by architect Gianni Ranaulo, the “nests” feature a bedroom, private en suite bathroom and outdoor majlis. It offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquility of the desert while enjoying all the amenities of a five-star hotel. It has been recognized by high luxury brands as their preferred venue to host the most celebrated events in the UAE.
End of 2022, a new idea emerges: ransport the allure of the desert to urban celebrations and Nara in the City Catering & Events is born. “Nara In The City”, brings the Nara expertise to the comfort of your home, workplace -or venue of your choice. A comprehensive catering and events agency that brings the magic of Nara into the city.
Stephanie’s new brain child is called The Dhow by Sonara, planning to be launched later this year and so the story of Nara Desert Escape continues…
