Never stayed at Al Maha. This despite many opportunities to do so (having lived in UAE the for more than 10 years).
Mrs NoY & I could never get beyond the apparently hideously dated/worn out/dismal decor & it never really appealed to be stuck out in the middle of...sand....
....& at at their laughable rates.
At last someone tells it like it is!
.
You opinion seems very well considered and informed.