Holiday to United Arab Emirates
Carla McInerney, 12th October 2022We had a wonderful week in the UAE. We spent 2 nights in the Al Maha Desert resort and 5 nights in Dubai. Dubai is simply magical! Everything ran like clockwork.
Accommodation Visited
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel
“The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel is absolutely HUGE, 1600 rooms.
We stayed here as an 'overnight' hotel after arriving into Dubai at 01.00am in the morning, before transferring to the desert the next morning at lunchtime.
The breakfast area is like Grand Central Station in New York.
The check in was smooth, the room was nice, the breakfast was nice.
It was nice for what we wanted it for.
Would I like t stay here for my full visit? Not really. It was big, and rather impersonal, but nice and correct for what we wanted.”
Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa
“Al Maha resort was absolutely wonderful. We had a Bedouin suite, which was lovely and spacious. You have your own plunge pool and outside decking area with a table and chairs and 2 loungers. There are different locations of these suites as they are very spread out over the property. Some locations are clearly better than others, with better views etc. Our location was good. Buggies can be ordered at any time, free of charge. One can also walk, depending on where you stay in the complex.
The rooms were spotless, and very spacious. Bathroom very nice. Air conditioning works very well.
A wonderful welcome gift of fresh fruit, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a carafe of sherry every day.
The views form the balcony of the public areas are just breathtaking. One simply has to get up very early in the morning to appreciate these.
We did 4 activities, two each morning and two each evening.
I would highly recommend the nature drive and the nature walk.
All four were wonderful (Falconry and Camel riding), but these two were simply outstanding.
I think we were extremely lucky with our guide Michelle, who was simply outstanding.
Food in Al Maha is wonderful
It is an oasis of calm. Hard to believe you are near such a big city like Dubai.”
Jumeirah Al Qasr
“What can I say about hotel Al Quasr? No words can do this hotel justice. It was an oasis of elegance, calm and tranquillity, professionalism. It was simply the best of the best. We had a club room with an Ocean view.
The room was spacious and room service twice a day.
The facilities of the clubroom were outstanding, with afternoon tea, and sundowners and finger food included.
Simply wonderful. The breakfast in the Arboretum restaurant can be taken inside or outside on their balcony. We did both and it was simply sublime.
The amazing thing was, it was never full.... now we are early risers, but there was always peace.
The restaurants Al Nafoorah, Pierre Chic amazing.
The setting is just like an Arabian Dream, a palace. We loved the elegance and the tranquillity. Even the most discerning guests could not find fault with this hotel.
The waterways surrounding the hotel are like a mini-Venice. There are electric Abra boats that will take hotel guests free of charge to any of the hotels in the Jumeirah Madinat group and to the Madinat Souk. So you can have your lunch or dinner in one of the adjoining hotels in the hotel group, and you just go by Abra.
Magical. It was pure elegance, quality and tranquillity. We were very sorry to leave indeed.”
Staff Review
“I have booked many holidays with Nikki O'Hare over the last few years, and Nikki is extremely professional. She knows what you are looking for, and she will provide you with the right choices. Very satisfied as always. I am already looking at my next holiday.”