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.
The Resort truly is an Oasis in the desert and is perfect for a romantic break or to kick back and relax all on your own, free from the burdens of society. However, unless you are super duper rich, it's unlikely you will be able to afford any longer than a week (or even a couple of days), as it is very expensive.
There are four categories of suite, namely;
* Bedouin Suite Double OR Twin - maximum occupancy 2 people = £700-£750 per suit, per night - Yes folks, that is a per night cost! (There are 37 of these suites, scattered throughout the resort)
* Royal Suite - max of 4 people = £2,100-£2,200 per suite, per night - Seriously, I'm not joking !! (There are 2 of these suites)
* Emirates Suite - max of 6 people = £2,800-£3,000 per suite, per night - People really do pay this kind of money ... I have just, out of interest, checked availability for next week and it's unavailable, which is often the case, because many of the Arabian Princes book it!
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 ...
If, like me, you are into Star gazing, there really is nothing like doing it out in the desert, where the clarity of the sky is pristine ... no glare from city lights, just pure black sky littered with more stars than you would ever believe there were. I always remember one fact from my youth above all others, which I always struggled to comprehend ... there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on the face of the Earth. Well, looking up at the sky from this vantage point, I could well believe it! The forbideness of skinny-dipping under the moon and star light in the temperature-controlled pool was also to my liking....
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 resort boasts luxury and opulence, and the Spa and gym / leisure facility is no different. A range of different treatments await those guests who wish to be pampered to the max , from a range of different massages, to reflexology and hydrotheraphy. Being a man ... grrrrrrrrr .... I didn't go in for any of that nonsense and contented myself ..... wait, wait ... I have finished you rude people .... with a work out in the gym. The gym wasn't as large as I expected, but it was adequate to do a half hour weights session, with dumbells and weight resistance machines located in an ante room within the spa building. The spa also boasts a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, outdoor swimming pool, and ice-cold plunge pool (brrrrrrrr!). Despite the costs associated with the accommodation, spa treatments are at an additional charge, but I didn't pick up a rates card ... sorry ! Oh yeah, and it is all completely air-conditioned, as are the suites, which I think I forgot to mention earlier.
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.
Breakfast was equally as refreshing, and can be taken via room service or in the restaurant, either out on the veranda or indoors. One of the breakfast chefs claimed to do the best omlettes in the world, which I commented was quite a boast, particularly if he was just to consider the number of 5 star hotels around the globe, and then if he was to consider those located next to a chicken farm for added freshness ... But, to be fair ... give the guy his dues ... he not only realised I was pulling his plonk, but also served up an astonishgly tasty omlette, with the added ingredients of ham and tomatoes topped with cheese - sounds like a Pizza doesn't it?!
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.
* Navigating the resort - All the suites and buildings are linked via a paved pathway, which everyone is welcome to walk. However, a word of caution .... Take care of the Arabian Oryx that live on the resort. What is an Arabian Oryx I hear you say? It is a two horned antelope, which is - in fact - almost extinct. The horns of the Oryx are quite lethal, and they have been known to kill lions with them. The resort has a herd of 30-40 Oryx meandering around, and it is advisable to take transport from the main reception building to your desired location, most particularly at night, when the Oryx roam more freely around the resort. Transport is in the form of a golf style buggy and is effortless.
* 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.
* Activities - If you wish to be a little more active, rather than simply pampering yourself in the spa, or skinny sipping in your private pool, then there are a host of activites that can be arranged on a daily basis. Guests are provided with two complimentary on-site activites during the course of their stay. Such activities include Camel treking (an experience, even though they do whiff a bit!), Falconry (Thankfully, this eagle eyed Falcon spotted a rather dangerous snake during our display, which was duly moved on by our qualified nature guide), Horse riding, Archery (This was good fun, despite the number of arrows I had to reclaim from the heights of the nearest sand dune ... I never thought I would be so exhausted from standing still and pulling my right arm back and forth every now and again!), four-wheel drive (This is fantastic fun, as you belt up and down and around the sand dunes - an amazing experience... shame they wouldn't let me drive), and nature walks. All activities are provided with the guidance of fully qualified instructors and nature guides, who mainly all hail from South Africa.
Alternatively, Dubai city tours can be arranged via the resort conceirge desk and day trips can be organised at your will. If you ever have the money and want a luxurious break from it all, it really is worth the expense, just for the experience.
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Quality of Food & Drink
Excellent
Cleanliness
Excellent
Family Friendly
Average
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(+) Beautiful beach hotel in the most buzzing area of Dubai! (-) There is still construction surrounding the hotel, but everywhere has to start somewhere.
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