Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is located approximately 60 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport. Transfers can be organised with your tour operator, but will be in two stages. The first stage is a transfer from the airport down the highway and into the desert and onto the perimeter fence of the resort - this should take no more than 45-50 minutes. Once at the perimeter of the Al Maha estate, you will pass through security and await the arrival of the hotels jeeps, who will then transport you up to the main resort, which will usually take another 15 mins or so. Despite the transfer time, particualrly after a 7 1/2 hour flight from the UK, this was not uncomfortable or irritating like some transfers can be, so I hardly noticed the time.

All suites have a private temperature-controlled pool, surrounded by a wooden deck. The suites have many hand crafted furnishings, antiques and artefacts, which really add to the ambience of the whole experience ... makes you feel like you are in an Indiana Jones film ! The beds are super king size and very comfortable ... no problems getting to sleep here, especially due to the complete quietness of the desert. The bathrooms are incredibly spacious and feature a walk-in shower, king-size bath, and a 'his and hers' vanity area. It's nothing but the best all the way with Bvlgari amenities. The suites also come complete with minibar, complimentary water, tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV, DVD (You can borrow DVDs from reception), data ports, Bluetooth, and in-room safe. The more expensive suites generally come with more space, complimentaries and services ...

The resort is landscaped and the 37 Bedouin suites, along with the three higher grades of suite, are scattered across different elevations, all completely independent of one another. Each suite has it's own entrance pathway leading up to a heavy oak door, and all completely independent of the main reception building and spa.

The main reception building houses a small bar, complete with terrace, along with the "Diawaan" restaurant. The restaurant is a veranda overlooking the desert and distant mountains, providing an unforgetable alfresco experience. In terms of scenery, there is only one other hotel restaurant that I have stayed at that rivals this and that was at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bermuda. The distinct advantage the latter had was the alfresco experience provided a fresh sea breeze and view. The cuisine is exotic but varied, providing adequate choice for those with a less palatable tongues.... Middle Eastern and Mediterranean are accompanied by specially themed menus that include Sri Lankan, Japanese, and Indian dishes. I was bowled over by the food & service, which was Grade A ... There were simultaneous parties going on in my mouth at dinner time.

The resort also boats state-of-the-art conference facilities, which is also a self contained building separate from everything else. This is ideal for high end executive meetings, coupled with an incentive trip (The purpose of my visit .... You don't think I can afford to pay to go to these sorts of places do you?!?!?!). The ideal group size is between 10-25, as the facility caters much better for this size of meeting.

* Customer Service - The level of customer service and hospitality extended was the best I have ever experienced anywhere in the world. The resort has won a host of International awards in different categories, but those relating to customer service are richly deserved. Never have I been somewhere, where you can see it is an absolute pleasure for people to serve you. There is absolutely no hint that you are any trouble or that the hospitality extended is cosmetic, it is purely and simply what these people are born to do.