Originally Posted by
Marnic
Hi All,
I'm currently thinking of booking 2 nights at Al Maha in December as part of my (delayed) honeymoon. Its going to be 100k points per night, but it seems still worth it given the paid rate goes for more than USD1,000+/night.
I have a few basic questions of what to expect, and would be very much grateful for your responses to plan my honeymoon:
1. What is the best way to get to the resort from DXB airport? I heard Uber is the most convenient, and will set us back $50-$70. Wondering how easy it is to get an Uber for this far of a journey/do drivers cancel? And is it easy to get an Uber on the way back to Dubai?
2. Any specials in the resort for Honeymooners / Christmas / New Years?
3. As an all-inclusive resort, are you free to order whatever/however much you can eat? For example, can I opt for 2 main dishes for Lunch instead of Starter-Main-Dessert? Also, if I arrive prior to 12noon on check-in day, how likely will they let me dine-in for Lunch?
4. Am assuming no special elite status treatment (other than personalized note + 1,000 welcome bonus)?
A bit of background for context:
1. 2 pax, traveling with light luggage/hand carry only
2. Flying in a Emirates red-eye flight arriving at 6am, and plan to go straight to Al Maha
3. Bonvoy Titanium Elite status
4. Will spend another 5 days in Dubai after Al Maha (likely in JW Marriot Marquis or Grosvenor House) and to enjoy NYE fireworks by the Burj Khalifah (I can potentially switch this around to celebrate New Years at Al Maha if there is something noteworthy)
Thank you so much!
1) Uber (or Careem which is the local brand) are easy to get and will definitely take you. That said, airport taxis are plentiful and will be the same price. Also easy to get on the way back, you can order a Careem at an advance time so put it in the day before on the app and no worries. Again, if not local taxis can easily be arranged through the hotel.
2) Not sure on this, but would not imagine this is a "gala event" resort - it's meant for seclusion.
3) It's Full Board (i.e. no alcohol except some brandy in the room) and yes you can order as much as you like from the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You may actually end up skipping meals as food is so plentiful. Also the FB option starts with your first meal, when I go I tend to take the lunch as first meal and the last breakfast is my final one. If you start with dinner as first meal you get lunch on day of checkout.
4) No, but have heard of top-tier status being upgraded to 2 bed villa but would not bank on that over peak Xmas period. The standard villas are great anyway. Otherwise, I have had e.g. a bottle of wine and cake in the room but nothing else.
One other point of note is that alcohol is quite expensive at resort (and Dubai generally). If that's your thing, you can buy alcohol on arrival at Duty Free at side of baggage hall just before you exit Terminal 3 in to Customs. It's very well priced in comparison and options are plentiful. Of course you can't take to restaurants but as you can eat in the room/ outside terrace it lets you drink a better wine with the very tasty food.
Edit - you're allowed max 3 litres of alcohol per adult through Customs i.e. 5 bottles of wine or 3 bottles of spirits.