Luxury Hotels - finally caved in and going to Dubai which hotel and which room?

I can't believe I am posting this. Having only been to Dubai for a maximum of a few hours I am now going for a week. Basically using up a whole load of virgin miles- need autumn sun.

I hate gold bling/pretentious places. Like good club lounges. Looking for 2 hotels to spend a total of a week.

Price- well open ish. To go above £750 a night it would need to be memorable. No bottom limit.

Just me and my oh. if anyone can suggest anywhere within 2 hours flight on from Dubai that would also be good.

I can't believe I am posting this. Having only been to Dubai for a maximum of a few hours I am now going for a week. Basically using up a whole load of virgin miles- need autumn sun.

I hate gold bling/pretentious places. Like good club lounges. Looking for 2 hotels to spend a total of a week.

Price- well open ish. To go above £750 a night it would need to be memorable. No bottom limit.

Just me and my oh. if anyone can suggest anywhere within 2 hours flight on from Dubai that would also be good.

If you hate gold bling/pretentious places you should avoid anything Jumeirah related recently, they tend to attract a certain Russian clientele who like to be very "flashy". A shame as Dar Al Masyaf is quite nice, but service has declined compared to a couple of years ago. An option could be "Beit Al Bahar" but this is nearly double your budget for the entry level villa.

The O&O Residence is nice, the Palm is hit and miss service wise; although I have to honestly say that I haven't stayed there and just visited a couple of times for dinner.

I am currently writing a trip report of my stay in 3 Desert resorts a few weeks ago (just can't seem to find the time to turn my notes into a story), Al Maha, Banyan Tree and Qasr al Sarab. To spoil it a little bit in advance: Anantara was the obvious winner but BT came out as a surprising second. The second place however was mainly thanks to the fantastic butler (they call it host?) that we had who previously worked for Amanpulo and recognized us from our stay there! Definitely do not stay in the regular villa's though, go for the tents. Our first stay in Al Maha since it was taken over by Starwood and we really disliked it, general decline of services, lots of staff left and they seem to be left with a skeleton manning.

First of June there is a new Anantara opening in Abu Dhabi City, "Eastern Mangroves" which could be promising. Stay clear of Anantara Desert Islands though as it is draconic, no matter what TripAdvisor tells you.

Thanks that's great. I don't really have a budget - just its not a main holiday just a quick week - happy to spend more of it is fabulous but don't want to blow money on the mediocre.

Main priority is sun and doing very little.

I did book once before and cancelled. It was O&O residence but very much chosen at random.

I think I got an email or link about eastern mangroves. Will follow it up

If you hate gold bling/pretentious places you should avoid anything Jumeirah related recently, they tend to attract a certain Russian clientele who like to be very "flashy". A shame as Dar Al Masyaf is quite nice, but service has declined compared to a couple of years ago. An option could be "Beit Al Bahar" but this is nearly double your budget for the entry level villa.

The O&O Residence is nice, the Palm is hit and miss service wise; although I have to honestly say that I haven't stayed there and just visited a couple of times for dinner.

I am currently writing a trip report of my stay in 3 Desert resorts a few weeks ago (just can't seem to find the time to turn my notes into a story), Al Maha, Banyan Tree and Qasr al Sarab. To spoil it a little bit in advance: Anantara was the obvious winner but BT came out as a surprising second. The second place however was mainly thanks to the fantastic butler (they call it host?) that we had who previously worked for Amanpulo and recognized us from our stay there! Definitely do not stay in the regular villa's though, go for the tents. Our first stay in Al Maha since it was taken over by Starwood and we really disliked it, general decline of services, lots of staff left and they seem to be left with a skeleton manning.

First of June there is a new Anantara opening in Abu Dhabi City, "Eastern Mangroves" which could be promising. Stay clear of Anantara Desert Islands though as it is draconic, no matter what TripAdvisor tells you.

When you say "Anantara was the obvious winner," you're referring to Qasr Al Sarab, right?

When you say "Anantara was the obvious winner," you're referring to Qasr Al Sarab, right?

I was indeed, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab was the obvious winner of the three hotels I stayed at: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Anantara Qasr Al Sarab.

Just me and my oh. if anyone can suggest anywhere within 2 hours flight on from Dubai that would also be good.

I would recommend taking a look at Muscat (Oman), one of my favourite places and the complete antithesis of Dubai :) Calm, peaceful, friendly. low-rise and slow-paced.

Maybe the the al-Bustan (RC) or Shangri La would be of interest ?

I would recommend taking a look at Muscat (Oman), one of my favourite places and the complete antithesis of Dubai :) Calm, peaceful, friendly. low-rise and slow-paced.

Maybe the the al-Bustan (RC) or Shangri La would be of interest ?

Although I agree that Oman is beautiful, luxury wise there is only one real option IMHO: The Chedi Muscat. Six Senses Zighy Bay could be considered as well, if you like Six Senses' very specific style.

If you really hate bling, then O&O Residence & Spa (50 suites) is the answer, combined with Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara.

We've agreed that the Gulf will be our destination this year for a Christmas trip.

Our plan includes a few days at Qasr Al Sarab. We have a 2BR family villa with pool set up for there.

The other part of our plan is to spend a few days in Dubai. At present, I have a club suite (1br) booked at the RC Dubai. I'm attracted to this hotel because:

It is a beachfront resort with nice pools ... close to, but not entirely in the middle of, the action in Dubai
Has a US-style kids camp program (we like to use this for half a day so we can have some adult time...then we re-unite after lunch for the balance of the day)
I'll have the Virtuoso benefits
I'll earn Ritz points (nice, but least important)


Against that, I have some concerns:

A significant expansion is underway; there are conflicting dates as to when it will be complete and there is a risk that we're stuck at a property under construction
I think this is one of the older deluxe hotels in the city and the existing part sounds like it is a little long in the tooth


I'd welcome thoughts for other Dubai hotels suitable for a family with kids (who will be 9 and 6 at time of visit). Having a kids' camp program is key for us. (I checked the PH, and they have a program for the summer, but no plans to have one during the Christmas season at present.)

I'd also welcome advice as to allocation of my stay. I've booked a bunch of days at each hotel, and will shorten them when I get a better sense of the optimal allocation. I have nine full days in the region. I'm thinking six days in Dubai and three in Qasr Al Sarab. In Dubai, we'll relax a bit (staying on property), but will also go off and visit some of the attractions (touristy and otherwise).

Does this allocation of days make sense?

I appreciate any thoughts.

The Jumeirah properties all have kids clubs. At Madinat the kids club has a huge private pool, in fact the club is 80 per cent pool, not sure how structured the other stuff is ( our daughter was only 2 last time we went so we were with her.)

For kids, Madinat is like heaven on earth. I personally don't find it blingy, unlike the Burj, and if you have never stayed there you should try it once. There is literally nothing like it anywhere.

Madinat is amazing for children - my lot are forever asking when we are going back despite the fact that they have been to dozens of other resorts with fantastic kids facilites since we were last there (we stayed in Dar Al Masyaf both times). We tended to use both kids clubs on a daily basis - the one in the Madinat for a couple of hours and then also the one in the Jumeriah Beach as the children loved them both and you can utilise them both. Then afternoons usually involved a trip to the Wild Wadi Water park (free entry if you are Madinat guests) plus swimming in one of the many, many pools available to us. There were also things like climbing walls and beach football and all sorts of things going on pretty much the entire time...it made for a very relaxing time for mum and dad!!! I don't love Dubai but i've got to say it's pretty unbeatable in terms of keeping the children happy and occupied, and for that reason i suspect we will go many times over the years!

We've agreed that the Gulf will be our destination this year for a Christmas trip.

Our plan includes a few days at Qasr Al Sarab. We have a 2BR family villa with pool set up for there.

The other part of our plan is to spend a few days in Dubai. At present, I have a club suite (1br) booked at the RC Dubai.
. . .
I'd welcome thoughts for other Dubai hotels suitable for a family with kids (who will be 9 and 6 at time of visit). Having a kids' camp program is key for us. (I checked the PH, and they have a program for the summer, but no plans to have one during the Christmas season at present.)
. . .

Have you considered One and Only The Palm? It is possibly the best regarded hotel in Dubai, and it has a kids program called Kids Only (http://thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com/kidsonly.aspx).

Since Qasr Al Sarab is extremely well regarded, I would probably consider allocating at least one more night for this property (total of four nights).

Have you considered One and Only The Palm? It is possibly the best regarded hotel in Dubai

+1 Fantastic hotel!!

Brilliant. Thank you for these suggestions. Let me take a look through the properties' websites later today. Both of these sound like ideal alternatives.

The Ritz Carlton Jumeirah extension is supposed to open around December 2012. Nothing opens on time here! The old wing is closing when the new wing is ready, so that those older rooms can be renovated to the same strandard as the new rooms. I suspect it will be something of a (discrete-ish) building site for many a month to come. I stroll past there regularly & it is a pretty full -on construction site.

I wouldn't say that all Jumeirah resorts at Madinat are bling, as such. The Burj & the Jumeirah Beach certainly are but Al Qasr & Mina A"Salam are not - plus at Madinat Jumeirah there are multiple dining/entertainment options right on the doorstep too.

The Anantara Eastern Mangroves is a bit of an odd one...maybe! Firstly it's in Abu Dhabi (OK for some :eek:) and secondly it's in a bit of a strange location on the outskirts of the city and very close to a busy main road. Very much a building site. Could be noisy.

I would stick to Dubai personally - weather, kid's entertainment, luxury hotel options, good dining, & touristy stuff is all in abundance. Oh, & of course, as with everywhere in UAE, Russians in abundance!

Hope that helps.

Qasr Al Sarab. We have a 2BR family villa

unless youre getting 3rd nt free at qasr al sarab, you could also check out http://www.beitalbahar.com/ pool villas at jumeirah beach hotel

as well as (pool) penthouses at kempinski palm, with individual bedrooms for kids

we stayed in Dar Al Masyaf both times...use both kids clubs on a daily basis - the one in the Madinat for a couple of hours and then also the one in the Jumeriah Beach as the children loved them both and you can utilise them both...

dar al masyaf breakdown http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17994903-post13.html

If you really hate bling, then O&O Residence & Spa (50 suites) is the answer, combined with Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara.

OO royal mirage
49 room residence (access to OO palm - pool etc?)
170 room arabian court with kidsonly
231 room palace with kidsonly
http://royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com/content/pdf/kidsonly/OORM_KidsOnly_English.pdf
(if arabian court / palace can use each other's kidsonly, not that many fewer rooms than jumeirah)
AL KOUFA FORT
During school holidays and festive seasons Al Koufa Fort is open. The fort features an enclosed
courtyard with stage area and toddlers’ splash pool. Kids toilets and storage lockers are also
available. The adjacent oval garden is used for family games, camel riding and sports. As part
of the KidsOnly Club, Al Koufa Fort is bound by the same rules and regulations.

94 room OO palm with kidsonly - Musken has trip report
http://thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com/overview.aspx
interesting kidsonly also mentions camel riding - there is room onsite?

OO royal mirage
49 room residence (access to kidsonly? access to OO palm?)
170 room arabian court with kidsonly
231 room palace with kidsonly
http://royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com/content/pdf/kidsonly/OORM_KidsOnly_English.pdf


Yes, kids staying at O&O residence & Spa do get access to kidsonly. It's a 3-in-1 resort, so wherever you stay, you get access & can sign for anything. There is also a regular shuttle over to O&O The Palm from a new jetty built just beyond Residence & Spa.

Oh, & of course, as with everywhere in UAE, Russians in abundance!


The Russian women are usually pretty hot though. Sadly, you really cannot say the same for the men they are with :D

Either that, or Dubai is a popular place for Russian women just out of college to take their fathers for a thank you break .....

Thanks all for the suggestions. Upon a review of the properties and availability, it appears that Jumeirah Madinat is for me.

Now, I need to select which hotel within the complex. There are:

Al Qasr
Dar Al Masyaf
Mina A' Salam


I did a search and there wasn't a clear post in the past few years which laid out the pros/cons of each of these properties. Al Qasr sounds like it is the main hotel, and Dar Al Masyaf is sort of a more boutique-y setup? Dar Al Masyaf is Amex FHR, but it doesn't look like the other two are.

We'd like to get a true one-bedroom suite (closed doors between the rooms), and we'll have the kids (9, 6) with us.

Thoughts on which property within the complex would fit best?

Thanks!

Word of warning about your suite request. Make sure you confirm directly with the hotel that you want a suite with doors. We booked an Ocean Suite at Al-Qasr two years ago, and it turned out to be open plan (and so, technically, not a suite at all!). It was also Easter and they were full, so it took 3 days for them to move us to another suite with a door. The 2nd suite, whilst sold as Ocean View, did not actually HAVE an Ocean View, because it was blocked by Dar-Al-Masyaf summer houses! Ironically, though, it was a far nicer room as it was about 20 feet above the canal waterway and was really pleasant.

ALL rooms at Madinat (well, Al Qasr at least) connect via vestibules - ie there are not internal connecting doors but each set of 2 rooms has its own door which is normally left open but can be locked for you. 2 standard rooms may be cheaper than a suite. Standard rooms are also included on the Amex Jumeirah promotions (eg pay 3, stay 4, which runs permanently at Madinat for Amex Plat/Cent cardholders, you need to call Plat Travel to book) whereas suites usually are not.

From a pure luxury viewpoint, the D-A-M Summer Houses are the best option, but you want an Ocean Front one. Not necessarily Ocean View, but the ones that are not ocean front can be quite a walk from the sea. Not sure if these connect or if there are suites in them.

I have never really worked out the difference between Al Qasr and Mina, apart from room sizes. Al Qasr is in the middle of the resort and so nearer the main arrivals area, which may be why Mina has its reputation for 'boutique'. Mina, on the other hand, is nearer to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel if also thought you might use their kids club as well, as the post above recommends.

You really can't go wrong in terms of room quality. What always amazes me about the place is the standard of day to day maintenance .... you could easily believe it opened yesterday as opposed to 8 years or so ago.

Assuming he hasn't changed jobs since November 2010, I have the email for the Al Qasr and D-A-M director of rooms if you need it.

Don't forget to sign up for the Sirius reward scheme either, it is worth about 7% back on your stay and you can spend the points on food and drink at Essex House.

The Russian women are usually pretty hot though. Sadly, you really cannot say the same for the men they are with :D

Either that, or Dubai is a popular place for Russian women just out of college to take their fathers for a thank you break .....

Haha! Indeed! Let's also say that their, ahem, fashion sense is...well, unique! Maybe it's because some of the "ladies" are, ahem, "moddells"....LOL!

Anyway, pleased that Madinat Jumeirah has been selected by the OP. Must try Friday Brunch if you have not done so (actually just do it again if you have!). My favourite is Mina A'Salam's - excellent spread & service in a lovely setting outside at Al Muna restaurant. Alternatively the Park Hyatt's Traiteur is a winner too. Enjoy.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Upon a review of the properties and availability, it appears that Jumeirah Madinat is for me.

Now, I need to select which hotel within the complex. There are:

Al Qasr
Dar Al Masyaf
Mina A' Salam


I did a search and there wasn't a clear post in the past few years which laid out the pros/cons of each of these properties. Al Qasr sounds like it is the main hotel, and Dar Al Masyaf is sort of a more boutique-y setup? Dar Al Masyaf is Amex FHR, but it doesn't look like the other two are.

We'd like to get a true one-bedroom suite (closed doors between the rooms), and we'll have the kids (9, 6) with us.

Thoughts on which property within the complex would fit best?

Thanks!

The best option by a mile is a suite in one of the Dar Al Masyaf Summer Houses. You have to decide which style would suit best as the Ocean views are lovely, with pastel decor and yes, a proper separated bedroom from the sitting/dining room. However, if you opt instead for one of the inland suites, these have access to a club pool (shared by the maison) which is quite a good idea if you have kids, as the main pool is huge and very noisy. These suites are more traditionally decorated with Arabian features and are, if anything, nicer interiors. However, I like both - it just depends on whether you want to overlook the beach or overlook the internal river and pools.

More details: Buildings 2,3,6, & 7 of the ocean-view summer houses are best (Each building is a 2-storey riad-style contstruct with its own lobby and concierge).

If you want something bigger, then have a look at the Malakiya Villas (inland, but exceptional and with their own smallish private pools).

dar al masyaf
"29 private or shared summer houses with exclusive pools"
11 - 11BR gulf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/GULF%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%20GF%20PLAN.pdf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/GULF%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%201stF%20PLAN.pdf
18 - 9BR arabian
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/ARABIAN%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%20GF%20PLAN.pdf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/ARABIAN%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%201stF%20PLAN.pdf

http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Documents/MJ/Resort_Map_2007.pdf
this shows 6 DAM pools, interesting only 10 gulf houses, but also that 3 of them are not beachfront, but around a pool


malakiya (and everything else but the following) are way more than >
beit al bahar / kempinski (pool) penthouses
desert palm / al maha
(not sure about OO palm pool suites)

At DAM we stayed in a room that sounds as though it would work for you - main bedroom with king sized bed and huge bathroom, then the children were through in the sitting room that has closing between the bedroom and that area, where they made up a double sofa bed as well as a separate single bed. They had their own toilet but shared our bathroom, and there was a small kitchen area as well. It worked really well for us. cant recall what the room category was called, but i think there are only 2 or 3 options in the summer houses so it should be pretty obvious.
As you are going over christmas (as we have done previously) i would suggest going for a gulf summer house with it's own private pool as it offers you a quieter option for hanging out than the main pools - the dates up to Christmas itself aren't too busy but the period up to New Year got pretty busy and it was nice to have somewhere to retreat to (though the private pools weren't super warm at that time of year). The ideal compromise is the block that is just behind the ocean facing blocks that has it's own oval shaped pool but i'm afraid i cannot recall which number it is (15 and16?? maybe - they are categorised as gulf summer houses but so have their own pool unlike the other gulf summer houses) - i am sure someone else can confirm..... i also liked the ones near to the tennis courts as still and easy walk to everything but not as busy.....

At DAM we stayed in a room that sounds as though it would work for you - main bedroom with king sized bed and huge bathroom, then the children were through in the sitting room that has closing between the bedroom and that area, where they made up a double sofa bed as well as a separate single bed. They had their own toilet but shared our bathroom, and there was a small kitchen area as well. It worked really well for us. cant recall what the room category was called, but i think there are only 2 or 3 options in the summer houses so it should be pretty obvious.
As you are going over christmas (as we have done previously) i would suggest going for a gulf summer house with it's own private pool as it offers you a quieter option for hanging out than the main pools - the dates up to Christmas itself aren't too busy but the period up to New Year got pretty busy and it was nice to have somewhere to retreat to (though the private pools weren't super warm at that time of year). The ideal compromise is the block that is just behind the ocean facing blocks that has it's own oval shaped pool but i'm afraid i cannot recall which number it is (15 and16?? maybe - they are categorised as gulf summer houses but so have their own pool unlike the other gulf summer houses) - i am sure someone else can confirm..... i also liked the ones near to the tennis courts as still and easy walk to everything but not as busy.....

Another reason to chose the Madinat is that the beach is far nicer than at the Ritz Carlton/One and Only or any of the beach on the Palm.

malakiya (and everything else but the following) are way more than >
beit al bahar / kempinski (pool) penthouses
desert palm / al maha
(not sure about OO palm pool suites)

Yes, Kage, but Malakiya Villas are seriously good!! Very spacious, beautiful individual design, great service. Beit al Bahar is a pit compared to these, as is Al Maha. O&O The Palm's pool suites are really large and spacious and, of course, edge the sea, but in terms of residential style Malakiya are very heard to beat.

in AED

XMAS >
4300 suite jumeirah beach
4600 2 rooms jumeirah beach
6000 2 rooms mina a salam
6400 2 rooms al qasr
6500 suite mina a salam
7300 2 rooms dar al masyaf
7400 suite al qasr
7490 duplex burj al arab
7800 beit al bahar pool villa
8100 suite dar al masyaf

low season / high season >

dar al masyaf
room 1250-1750 / 3650-5200
suite 3150-4350 / 8100-10500

burj al arab 5990 / 7490

beit al bahar (pool)
1BR 5100 / 7800
2BR 6600 / 9800

malakiya (pool)
2BR 9K / 30K
3BR 12K / 32K
3BR 15K / ?

zabeel saray (pool)
5BR 10K / 17K
5BR 16K / 21K
(1100 / 1500 room)

...

OO
1880 / 3750 residence
1970 / 3500 palm
3025 / 5850 palm (pool) (before supplement)
? villas at residence and palm (pool)

kempinski palm
1339 / 2350 base suite
4351 / 7077 top 4BR penthouse (pool) (supplement?)
15K / 18K base 5BR villa (pool)

---

(desert / pool)
xxxx / 3353 desert palm
3300 / 6100 al maha

At DAM we stayed in a room that sounds as though it would work for you - main bedroom with king sized bed and huge bathroom, then the children were through in the sitting room that has closing between the bedroom and that area, where they made up a double sofa bed as well as a separate single bed. ... The ideal compromise is the block that is just behind the ocean facing blocks that has it's own oval shaped pool but i'm afraid i cannot recall which number it is (15 and16?? maybe - they are categorised as gulf summer houses but so have their own pool unlike the other gulf summer houses) - i am sure someone else can confirm..... i also liked the ones near to the tennis courts as still and easy walk to everything but not as busy.....

The best option by a mile is a suite in one of the Dar Al Masyaf Summer Houses. .... However, if you opt instead for one of the inland suites, these have access to a club pool (shared by the maison) which is quite a good idea if you have kids, as the main pool is huge and very noisy. .... More details: Buildings 2,3,6, & 7 of the ocean-view summer houses are best (Each building is a 2-storey riad-style contstruct with its own lobby and concierge).


Thanks for these thoughts. I've booked a one bedroom Arabian Summer House Suite. I confirmed with the hotel this evening that they are in fact divided with door proper one-br suites. I booked via Amex FHR - The DAM property is FHR, though it is the only property within Madinat which is in the program.

I think I'll request one of the units near the tennis courts. Does this make sense? I like quicker access to the beach - but it doesn't look like the beach units really assure you of a beach view - so perhaps not worth the premium. Does this make sense?

I understand these suites also come with club access. The hotel advised that there are two clubs - both open 24 hours. One allows kids, the other didn't. That seems fine to me. The Clubs in the RC properties in the Gulf that I've been too have been quite lavish (Bahrain, Qatar) in terms of their food presentations. Should I expect the same/similar at the club at this hotel?

Another reason to chose the Madinat is that the beach is far nicer than at the Ritz Carlton/One and Only or any of the beach on the Palm.
That sounds good.

One final question (for the moment) - getting to the Wadi Water Park - the hotel said I could walk, or a golf cart could take me. It looks like a 10 minute walk or so. Is it relatively easy to do?

The resort has golf buggies that zip along between Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat. Just hop on and off. They are plentiful.

You could walk it but I think it would take longer than 10 minutes. Besides your kids will demand you use the buggies of course ;)

The resort has golf buggies that zip along between Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat. Just hop on and off. They are plentiful.

You could walk it but I think it would take longer than 10 minutes. Besides your kids will demand you use the buggies of course ;)

Funny. I was showing the kids the property on google earth and said we could walk or take a buggy. They both said, "let's take the buggy!" immediately.

I may move my booking to inside the main hotel (versus the summer villa). Rooms seem comparable, and my wife likes to just take the lift to get to the club, not have to walk to another building. Indeed, it does feel more integrated when we are in the same building.

It is great to have three-day cancellation for a Christmas season trip!

Funny. I was showing the kids the property on google earth and said we could walk or take a buggy. They both said, "let's take the buggy!" immediately.

I may move my booking to inside the main hotel (versus the summer villa). Rooms seem comparable, and my wife likes to just take the lift to get to the club, not have to walk to another building. Indeed, it does feel more integrated when we are in the same building.

It is great to have three-day cancellation for a Christmas season trip!

Note that a) the club is not great in Al Qasr anyway and b) each of the DAM villas have a very pleasant open bar session every evening in the communal courtyards. This is a lot nicer than having a drink in the lounge.

MUCH nicer having your pre-dinner drinks in the DAM summerhouse than in the club - we used both but preferred the villa option, as did the children (who would get bought their own hot chocolate in silver jugs which they thought was the height of decadence - and probably is actually now i think of it!!) to drink whilst we enjoyed our champagne etc.
Buggies are very easy and quick to get around in - we like walking and would walk to breakfast most mornings for example (and don't forget you also have the option of getting the boats which we tended to use to get to dinner as it was always a lovely start and end to the evening), but if you ever need a buggy they are with you almost immediately (except in pouring rain) and you can reach everywhere (even the furthest away Jumeirah Beach or Burj restaurants) in a few minutes.
The club lounge was nice enough and convenient (and good selection of nibbles etc) but i really don't think you need to be accommodated right next to it to utilise it, in my opinion.

Note that a) the club is not great in Al Qasr anyway and b) each of the DAM villas have a very pleasant open bar session every evening in the communal courtyards. This is a lot nicer than having a drink in the lounge.

Agree! Much nicer having pre-dinner drinks in your own lounge area in the DAM summer houses. Club floors in main hotels are not to be compared.

Thank you for the continued feedback. I really appreciate it. Note that a) the club is not great in Al Qasr anyway and b) each of the DAM villas have a very pleasant open bar session every evening in the communal courtyards. This is a lot nicer than having a drink in the lounge.

Their club is bad? Is that by US standards or Gulf standards (which tend to be quite high....RC Bahrain or IC AUH for example)?

MUCH nicer having your pre-dinner drinks in the DAM summerhouse than in the club - we used both but preferred the villa option, as did the children (who would get bought their own hot chocolate in silver jugs which they thought was the height of decadence - and probably is actually now i think of it!!) to drink whilst we enjoyed our champagne etc.
Buggies are very easy and quick to get around in - we like walking and would walk to breakfast most mornings for example (and don't forget you also have the option of getting the boats which we tended to use to get to dinner as it was always a lovely start and end to the evening), but if you ever need a buggy they are with you almost immediately (except in pouring rain) and you can reach everywhere (even the furthest away Jumeirah Beach or Burj restaurants) in a few minutes.
The club lounge was nice enough and convenient (and good selection of nibbles etc) but i really don't think you need to be accommodated right next to it to utilise it, in my opinion.

Agree! Much nicer having pre-dinner drinks in your own lounge area in the DAM summer houses. Club floors in main hotels are not to be compared.

May I ask three more summer house questions:
1-Do they set up a little mini bar area each evening in the courtyard? Is this a 6-8pm sort of thing?
2-For breakfast, would we need to walk to the main hotel?
3-Are there pools in each summer house compound? I can't tell from G Earth.

Thanks!

Are there pools in each summer house compound? I can't tell from G
dar al masyaf
"29 private or shared summer houses with exclusive pools"
11 - 11BR gulf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/GULF%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%20GF%20PLAN.pdf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/GULF%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%201stF%20PLAN.pdf
18 - 9BR arabian
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/ARABIAN%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%20GF%20PLAN.pdf
http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/PDF's/ARABIAN%20SUMMER%20HOUSE%201stF%20PLAN.pdf

http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Documents/MJ/Resort_Map_2007.pdf
this shows 6 DAM pools, interesting only 10 gulf houses, but also that 3 of them are not beachfront, but around a pool

Thanks Kage. A little closer look and I can see the "cluster" pools on G earth.

All of the Arabian summer houses have their own pool (shared between 3 other summer houses but in 7 weeks spent in DAM i don't recall ever seeing anyone else a the pool whilst we were there so feels very private) but only one of the gulf summer houses complexes has the pool (the others are all very close to the main Al Qsar pool).
You can take breakfast either in the restaurant by the pool at Al Qsar or in Mina a'salam or in the main restaurant in Al Qsar - we tend to rotate for variety although probably like the pool restaurant best for breakfast. You can walk, take a buggy or take a boat depending on which summerhouse you are in and which restaurant you are going to.
Drinks are served for a couple of hours each evening - think it's is 6-8pm but cant exactly recall. The butlers ask what you'd like and then keep topping you up - no proper bar set up as such, but they bring you whatever you'd like plus some nuts etc to nibble on, so it's not like the club offering but it's a lovely start (or for us with the young children sometimes the finish!) to the evening! I always had a few glasses of champagne, my husband would tend to have wine or gin and tonics and the children loved their hot chocolates. It was always fun meeting a few other guests as well.
The club would offer the same drinks plus a more comprehensive array of finger food - and the food was always very nice but personally we felt the choice of restaurants in the hotels and in the souk are so good it seems a shame to fill up on the food presentations and not enjoy the dining options outside of the club. We did go for tea there sometimes if the children got hungry early (cakes and sandwiches, and tea - no alcohol served in the daytime), but that was it really.

.
The club would offer the same drinks plus a more comprehensive array of finger food - and the food was always very nice but personally we felt the choice of restaurants in the hotels and in the souk are so good it seems a shame to fill up on the food presentations and not enjoy the dining options outside of the club. We did go for tea there sometimes if the children got hungry early (cakes and sandwiches, and tea - no alcohol served in the daytime), but that was it really.

I'd agree with this. You need to remember that there are apparently 70different places to eat and / or drink in the Madinat complex (albeit that includes Starbucks etc) and that's before you start with the Burj, Jumeirah Beach Hotel etc.

All of the Arabian summer houses have their own pool (shared between 3 other summer houses but in 7 weeks spent in DAM i don't recall ever seeing anyone else a the pool whilst we were there so feels very private) but only one of the gulf summer houses complexes has the pool (the others are all very close to the main Al Qsar pool).
You can take breakfast either in the restaurant by the pool at Al Qsar or in Mina a'salam or in the main restaurant in Al Qsar - we tend to rotate for variety although probably like the pool restaurant best for breakfast. You can walk, take a buggy or take a boat depending on which summerhouse you are in and which restaurant you are going to.
Drinks are served for a couple of hours each evening - think it's is 6-8pm but cant exactly recall. The butlers ask what you'd like and then keep topping you up - no proper bar set up as such, but they bring you whatever you'd like plus some nuts etc to nibble on, so it's not like the club offering but it's a lovely start (or for us with the young children sometimes the finish!) to the evening! I always had a few glasses of champagne, my husband would tend to have wine or gin and tonics and the children loved their hot chocolates. It was always fun meeting a few other guests as well.
The club would offer the same drinks plus a more comprehensive array of finger food - and the food was always very nice but personally we felt the choice of restaurants in the hotels and in the souk are so good it seems a shame to fill up on the food presentations and not enjoy the dining options outside of the club. We did go for tea there sometimes if the children got hungry early (cakes and sandwiches, and tea - no alcohol served in the daytime), but that was it really.

I'd agree with this. You need to remember that there are apparently 70different places to eat and / or drink in the Madinat complex (albeit that includes Starbucks etc) and that's before you start with the Burj, Jumeirah Beach Hotel etc.

Thank you both for the info. I will stick with what I have at present then based on these and prior posts.

Well we are in Dubai. At the 1st of 3 hotels.

I am afraid that I didn't select the recommended hotels (which based on the 1st one may be something that I later regret!)

We are in a gulf summerhouse (I think) 1 bed suite at Dar Al Masyaf.

Hi fellow travelers,

I am a travel noob and trying to learn the ins and outs of how to find the best deals starting with a hotel for a 2 day stop over in Dubai. It will also be the start of our Honeymoon so I want it to be really special! Any advice on good hotels and where to look for the best deals would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :D

Hi slats70 and welcome to FT! We've got a fine recent thread on Dubai on this forum. It's full of up-to-date information, so I am going to move your post to that thread.

RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels

Hi fellow travelers,

I am a travel noob and trying to learn the ins and outs of how to find the best deals starting with a hotel for a 2 day stop over in Dubai. It will also be the start of our Honeymoon so I want it to be really special! Any advice on good hotels and where to look for the best deals would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :D

There is also a dedicated thread on getting deals at Jumeirah hotels, who run many of the top Dubai beach hotels.