Amy Adejokun
Section editor
A luxury hotel in the middle of the desert, the Al Maha is a small wonder. Stay there to recharge your batteries, discover the desert and to be indulged by the staff. An exceptional destination recommended for all couples.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Al Maha Resort - © Al Maha Resort
Al Maha Resort - © Neil Corder / Al Maha Resort
In the middle of the desert, 28 miles south of Dubai. Allow 1 hour for airport transfer.
The 42 suites are composed of 37 Bedouin suites, 2 royal suites , 2 Emirates suits and 1 presidential suite. The Bedouin suites spread over an area of 75 m². They are lavishly furnished with : two sofa decorated with cushions, bordering a low table, facing the window. The 4 poster bed is also covered with cushions and a huge carpet decorates the floor. The very large bathrooms are equipped with everything you need, and even Neutrogena products. Painters are provided with an easel, drawing paper and a box of pastel colours. There is a desk equipped with writing materials for those who enjoy writing . If you like to watch b?rds, there is a pair of binoculars available in your room. The suites all offer exceptional comfort. air-conditioning, a minibar, large-screen TV and DVD player, direct telephone for international calls. Your own private pool ( jacuzzi size) is on a teak sun deck . Relax in the garden lounge, facing the desert and enjoy the view.. The dawn is magical and so is the sunset, when the sun causes the dunes to glow.
Constructed in 1999, the Al Maha consists of a main building and 42 suites on the street level ( including 37 Bedouin suites.) The architecture was inspired by the nomadic culture. The walls are in concrete and the roofs are made of thick cloth supported by varnished wood pillars. In keeping with the Arab tradition, the lobby has two reception spaces : one for ladies, the other one for men. Both are sumptuously decorated with Arabic objects carefully chosenl: chests of studded wood, daggers, traditional coffee-pots and tiny pedestal tables. If you fall in love with one of these objects, they are for sale! In addition to the private swimming pools of each suite, the hotel also has a common swimming pool with a view of the desert. It is bordered by a solarium perfectly appointed with teak deck chairs, cloth sunshades, mattresses and towels. The small capacity of the hotel ensures that there is never overcrowding around the pool. To reach the rooms, a 5-minute walk takes you through paved paths . There is a golf buggy available to take you to your suite's door.
The Al Maha has only one restaurant, but you could eat there amazingly well ! Seafood, salads with palmhearts, pepper steak, various curries, cheese, pastries......... All the recipes are brilliantly done and served buffet-style. With its small tables and wooden armchairs, the lounge offers an intimate and modest decoration, illuminated by the white walls decorated with traditional objects. You can also eat on the large sundeck facing the desert. And to celebrate a very special occasion, you could ask as well to have your table prepared in the dunes ! Ideal to celebrate a honeymoon or a marriage anniversary. Discreet and attentive, the service is absolutely perfect. If you desire to take your meal in your room, no problem : you will be treated as a king ! Residence is on an all-inclusive basis, only the drinks are extra. A range of wines, beers and liquors are also on the menu.
The Al Maha has no equivalent hotel to be found in Dubai or even in the world. Located in the middle of the desert, the complex owns 9.6 square miles of land which is a nature reserve. Watering places where you can watch gazelles, foxes and lynx are situated close to the buildings. The activities offered allow you to discover all aspects of life in the desert : safari in the dunes, horse or camel trekking, falconry, dinners at sunset. There is also an outstanding service provided. Each suite has its own butler, who is at your disposal. Room service is provided, and you can order your favourite dishes ! This is a great place for couples. To maintain the peacefulness of the hotel, children younger than 12 are not accepted as guests and the older ones are housed ?n private suites.
spa, Turkish bath, wellness, keep fit, massage, sauna
horse riding, archery, gym, fitness
Whether you've come to Dubai for a beach holiday, shopping, luxury break, a romantic escape, a family holiday or even an extreme sports holiday, the Pullman has something for everyone. One of our favourite hotels in Dubai, the Pullman Emirates Mall has a great location just behind one of Dubai's most popular shopping centres and halfway between the city centre and the main beach area. The hotel itself has a couple of roof-top pools overlooking the emirate for miles out. The restaurants are top notch, as are the spacious rooms. A great all-rounder for couples and families, the Pullman is in our top 10.
The three-star Citymax al Barsha hotel is one of two hotels of the same chain in Dubai. It is also one of the few truly budget hotels in the emirate, which is a great option for travellers on a budget. The hotel is good-value without being cheap and nasty. Guests here can be sure that the rooms will be clean and that service will be friendly at all times. Located in the al Barsha area just behind the popular Mall of the Emirates (where you will find Dubai's ski dome), the hotel is also near an area that has a relaxed local feel, which isn't a given in Dubai! Most hotels tend to feel like they are in the middle of nowhere due to development happening in stages. The hotel is ideal for large groups and for families on a budget, or travellers wanting to hold on to their money in order to be able to splurge on shopping instead of accommodation.
For an unrivalled welcome and a soothing atmosphere in the midst of the heaving metropolis, a stay at the Dusit is a necessary breath of fresh air. With great service and its simple restful Thai-inspired decor, the Dusit Thani has great views of the city's new business district and its rooms have lovely no-fuss open-plan bathrooms with lit aromatherapy candles to welcome you. The hotel also has a good range of quality restaurants including the sumptuously-designed best Thai restaurant in Dubai which will take you all the way to Thailand's mesmerising royal palaces and back.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
With a contemporary, luxurious and a bit uncluttered style, it has an original location at the entrance of the commercial district, which also houses the skiing center of the Middle East, Ski Dubai. This hotel is more convenient for a shopping and discovering the city than it is for enjoying the seaside. Families should know: everybody will appreciate down-hill sledding or snow ringo, two activities offered at Ski Dubai.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Al Madinat by the luxury hotel chain, Jumeirah, which also opened the renowned Burj al Arab, is without a doubt one of the best resorts in Dubai. Set on a man-made lake, guests can get around by abra (small traditional wooden boat) which makes a change from Dubai's busy roads. Al Madinat is a village in its own right; guests won't want to leave! With beautifully decorated rooms, a pleasant outdoor pool, gardens to get lost in, a huge spa, over 45 food and beverage outlets and one of the best beaches in the city, the resort is definitely in our top three. Although some may find the décor a little gaudy, especially upon arrival, the resort is a quality one and definitely worth the extra spend. The atmosphere is relaxed and Al Madinat offers something for everyone, from a fun kids' club to a beautiful spa. Al Madinat, meaning 'city' in Arabic, offers a good balance between intimacy and social events making the resort ideal for couples as well as families and groups of friends. Even the likes of George Clooney and Sharon Stone have graced the resort with their presence!
Images Stéphanie Poli.
As a small structure with an undeniable charm, the Jumeirah Beach Club is a verdant haven of relaxation. Located on the edge of one the most beautiful beaches in Dubaï, this establishment is convenient for those who like both leisure and sports, and the various facilities offer an opportunity to practice all, from squash to sailing, basketball to volleyball.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
The One & Only Royal Mirage 'Arabian Court' resembles a small palace straight out of A Thousand and One Nights and enjoys a pleasant setting at the heart of a vast and beautiful oasis, right on the seafront. You can't fail to be impressed by its superb stylish decor, influenced by Arabic design - every little detail is there to be admired. Add to this the gorgeous beach, the delicious cuisine, and the wide range of activities on offer, and you have the perfect all-round destination.
The Burj Al Arab appears on the horizon, rises out of the fog along the coastline in Jumeirah, visible from skyscraper terraces all over the city, like a myth seen in books. A real gem in its architecture, seeing the legendary hotel, the only seven star hotel in the world, is like seeing the Taj Mahal in India. It is a real architectural feat that should not be dismissed for being too showy, too brash, too contemporary, but rather revered as a symbol of this city that is no less than over the top! The hotel sits quietly glimmering in the sun along a long and wide sandy beach. The interior takes a while to grow on you, but the services and facilities are irreproachable. It's definitely worth a stay at least for a night, or if it is too pricy for your budget then do drop by for tea, but book early.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
The lifestyle Armani Hotel Dubai is nothing short of stunning. With every angle and curve that has been carefully studied to give the desired effect, the hotel is without doubt one of the best in the city, which is a huge statement to make, especially in Dubai, where the standard of hotels is generally very high. Mr Armani has overseen every single detail of this hotel, from the scents used throughout the hotel, to the embossed chocolates sold in the deli on the ground floor. The result is astonishing. What separates the hotel from the rest is firstly, its location, right inside the Burj Khalifa, and second, the sense of space of the hotel. Slick, sophisticated and contemporary, the hotel is a veritable success. The only downfall is that you could be anywhere in the world as there is no reminder of the destination's culture and traditions. The hotel is best-suited to couples and friends looking for the crème de la crème in luxury.
Part of the Leading Hotels of the World label, the prestigious H Hotel, formerly The Monarch, is unrivalled in every way and is easily one of the best, if not the best, hotel in the city. Exclusive, The H is quietly and self-satisfyingly elegant without being pretentious. Unlike the brash hotels where the quality doesn't always match expectations, The H is all about quality and sophistication, and although on the pricy side, is definitely worth saving that extra bit to stay here. Not only is the atmosphere relaxed, but the staff is friendly and efficient, and no expense has been spared to make the rooms beautiful, spacious, stylish and up to date technology-wise. Throw in a fantastic range of high quality restaurants and bars, and a good location, you have your perfect hotel! Ideal for all types of guests, whether for leisure or business, the luxurious high quality H Hotel is ideal for friend, families and couples alike. Walking into The H can be likened to the feeling of slipping into a hot steaming bath...
The Burj Al Arab appears on the horizon, rises out of the fog along the coastline in Jumeirah, visible from skyscraper terraces all over the city, like a myth seen in books. A real gem in its architecture, seeing the legendary hotel, the only seven star hotel in the world, is like seeing the Taj Mahal in India. It is a real architectural feat that should not be dismissed for being too showy, too brash, too contemporary, but rather revered as a symbol of this city that is no less than over the top! The hotel sits quietly glimmering in the sun along a long and wide sandy beach. The interior takes a while to grow on you, but the services and facilities are irreproachable. It's definitely worth a stay at least for a night, or if it is too pricy for your budget then do drop by for tea, but book early.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
The all-new Intercontinental hotel opposite the Festival City marina has what it takes to turn rivals green with envy! Some parts of it are vast; others more intimate, but its multiple styles and modernity are plain for all to see. Don't miss out on all the restaurants and facilities here, indeed, every effort has been made to ensure the height of luxury and make yours a comfortable and pleasant stay. The fine design, bay windows, lighting effects and grand furniture combine to make this an ulra-stylish hotel that has successfully lured some of the world's best chefs to prepare its cuisine, including the Frenchman Pierre Gagnaire. The somewhat outstanding rooms also deserve a special mention.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Built on a private estate of a 150 acres, the Desert Palm is one of our favourite boutique hotels in Dubai and one of the city's best-kept secrets. Far from the madding crowds, this exclusive hotel is located on the dge of Dubai not too far from the airport but in an area that feels isolated away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A real haven of peace and quiet with a smart lodge atmopshere, this hotel is ideal to get away from it all. With sparkling facilities and spacious luxurious rooms, the Desert Palm specialises in equestrian activities and even has its own stables and polo club, including three hundred horses and four polo fields. Contemporary and arty, the hotel's interiors have been closely studied to give it the sharpest aesthetic aspect possible, whilst remaining extremely simple in using natural materials and fabrics throughout.
This is the second Atlantis hotel in the world. Is Atlantis The Palm, the flagship resort on Dubai's first Palm Island, a gem of a hotel or a monster of excess? Actually, it's both of them! It is perhaps the hotel that best represents Dubai, built as it is from scratch between the sea and the desert. A symbol of grandiose delusions, it is nothing less than a 'kingdom of superlatives'. Next to this immense and (in places) kitsch resort with its multitude of ultramodern facilities and restaurants staffed by award-winning chefs, hotel residents and day-trippers alike can enjoy a huge aquatic park. It is like a city within a city, making it ideal for families, but if you are looking for charm and intimacy, you're probably better off elsewhere!
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Grosvenor House is an establishment primarily designed for businessmen, but it won't fail to impress guests who are used to a certain level of luxury. Its interior is extremely trendy, as is its evening entertainment, and the food here is excellent. The hotel occupies a high-rise building, the rooms of which are decorated in soft tones (making them all the more restful) and you will very soon realise that this hotel, which mixes elegance and modernity, pays special attention to the slightest detail!
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Zabeel Saray took us by surprise by its sheer size, but for a luxury family resort of this size, the interior architects have done a great job in making it as opulent as a boutique hotel. Dripping in red and blue glass, velvet upholstered throne-like chairs and a fountain bigger than the average apartment all just in the lobby, gives this hotel a majestic appearance that is hard to rival. The service standards are top-notch and the facilities on offer are as exclusive as in the latest Mondrian in New York. The Jumeirah Hotel Group, has once again, surpassed itself with this latest addition to an already glimmering portfolio. Ideal for a wide-ranging clientele, from families to couples, the resort has something for everyone.